"The Next Einstein" Winner Announced - Oren Miron, of USA Wins $10,000 for his Brain Test that Screens for Autism Detection at Birth

TORONTO, June 6, 2017 /CNW/ - The Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University (CFHU) is pleased to announce the winner of this year's "The Next Einstein" competition. Oren Miron of Boston, MA has won the $10,000 prize for his brain test that screens for autism detection at birth. The online competition searched for the next genius idea to change the world and is part of the Einstein Legacy Project which celebrates the 100th anniversary of Einstein's General Theory of Relativity and honors his life and legacy.

Autism hurts millions of children because it is diagnosed too late for effective treatment (after age 4 years). Miron developed the brain test that detects autism at birth to allow earlier and better treatment (Miron et al 2015). The test is based on an existing brain test called the Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR), which screens hearing impairment on 4,000,000 newborns a year. Adding his autism test to these 4,000,000 hearing tests can allow early treatment, drastically reducing autism severity. This could reduce the autism cost for the economy, which in the U.S. alone is estimated at $125 billion a year, and help millions of children with autism lead a happier life.

"I was very impressed with the caliber of the submissions this year and the number of entries. I want to congratulate Oren for his innovative idea providing effective treatment for autism based on early detection. Many thanks to our esteemed judging panel and partners for their support of this competition." said Rami Kleinmann, President & CEO Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University. 

Oren Miron is a Research Associate at Harvard Medical School and was one of 10 finalists in the competition which included entries such as an interactive art installation, a running shoe that generates power, and sustainable food production to empower women in Tanzania.  A full list of all finalists and their ideas can be found here: https://thenexteinstein.com/winners.

The Next Einstein launched the 4th annual competition on March 28th by breaking the Guinness World Record for "Largest Gathering of Albert Einstein Lookalikes" in Toronto. As an integral part of the Einstein Legacy Project, this competition celebrates Albert Einstein's spirit of innovation presented at the Dinner of the Century event September 10th in Montreal.

About "The Next Einstein" (FB @thenexteinstein, Twitter @TheNxt_Einstein, IG @TheNxt_Einstein)

Inspired by Albert Einstein's incomparable legacy of discovery, invention and humanitarian ideals, "The Next Einstein" initiative was introduced in 2013 with a single-minded goal: to recognize new ideas with the potential to change the world for the better. The competition was created by the Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University in conjunction with Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the custodian of the Einstein estate. Albert Einstein was one of the founding fathers of the Hebrew University. Einstein's passion, curiosity and rebellious nature enabled countless innovative accomplishments recognized the world over. www.thenexteinstein.com

SOURCE Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem

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