Connetquot Central School District

Last June, Connetquot High School student Zayr Habeeb was recognized by the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium for his outstanding independent research project, the creation of an innovative medical chatbot designed to support patients with medical inquiries. Now, Zayr has been selected as a finalist in the 2025 Journal of Young Explorers Meta Research Competition. After receiving a record number of applications, Zayr’s project was chosen for its quality and originality.

Developed using the Python coding language, Zayr’s chatbot allows users to ask questions such as, “What are the side effects of my medication?” A more advanced version of the program enables users to upload a medical history PDF and receive context-based answers. Zayr is also developing a version capable of analyzing X-ray images. The idea for the chatbot emerged from Zayr’s participation in the Carter Lab mentorship program, where his knowledge of coding sparked the idea for the creation of the chatbot. Zayr also took AP Computer Science Principles at Connetquot High School and a college-level course through Adelphi University to further his expertise in coding.

In addition to being named a finalist in the JYEM Meta Research Competition, Zayr has been selected to present his project at both the AMIA 2025 Annual Symposium, taking place in Atlanta this November, and the 2025 American Society of Human Genetics Annual Meeting, scheduled for mid-October in Boston.

Connetquot congratulates Zayr on these outstanding accomplishments!