Saginaw Public Schools is proud to celebrate Diya Ramakrishnan, a junior at Saginaw Arts & Sciences Academy (SASA), who has been named a 2026 National STEM Champion—one of the most competitive honors for student innovators in the country.
Champions were announced on March 25, 2026, with Diya selected from nearly 1,500 applicants across 47 states and 4 U.S. territories, placing her among the top young innovators nationwide.
This marks a historic moment for SASA, as Diya becomes the school’s first-ever National STEM Champion.
She will travel to Washington, D.C. this June to present her work at the National STEM Festival, joining some of the most advanced student researchers and creators in the country.
What makes Diya’s work stand out even more is the reason behind it. Inspired by a close family member’s health challenges and the impact of delayed diagnosis, she set out to create a tool that could help detect issues earlier and potentially save lives. That personal connection continues to drive her work and her focus on using technology to solve real-world problems.
Her latest recognition builds on an already impressive track record. Earlier this year, Diya was named a two-time winner of the Congressional App Challenge, gaining national attention for developing an app designed to help detect early signs of cancer.
In addition to her academic achievements, Diya serves as a Student School Board Member for Saginaw Public Schools, representing student voice at the district level.
Her work reflects not only technical excellence, but a commitment to improving lives through innovation.
Congratulations, Diya! You continue to represent SPSD at the highest level.