Madame E, founder of Mu’id Mecca Medical Corporation, approached SATOP last year with a deeply personal mission: to improve the lives of infants born with a cleft lip and palate.

She had witnessed the flaws of current treatment methods, which rely on “facial taping” to close the cleft gap. This can cause complications, high safety risks, emotional and physical discomfort, and financial barriers.

Her initial sketches of a safer design evolved into a full-scale engineering project. SATOP submitted the project to Texas A&M University’s (TAMU) Engineering Capstone Design Program, where it was placed in the Biomedical Engineering (BMEN) department.

A team of senior BMEN students (Ines Abrahamsson, Krystal Iroegbu, Hannah Ngai, and Talia Baig) worked closely with Mu’id Mecca Medical to develop a headgear prototype offering better stability, comfort, and safety for newborns with cleft lips and palates.

“SATOP has been a significant milestone in my startup journey. As the first biomedical capstone project accepted into their program, their confidence in my vision spoke volumes. They pledged to bring forward the best talent to support my invention—and they delivered.”

SATOP’s pledge to bring in top talent proved true with the successful conclusion of the capstone pro- ject. At the annual TAMU Spring Engineering Pro- ject Showcase in late April, the student team earned second place in the BMEN Award, standing out among 35 other competing teams in the BMEN Major. This achievement marks a milestone not only for the student team, but also for the advance- ment of pediatric medical care.

As Mu’id Mecca Medical continues forward with its academic prototype, Madame E shared, “We are committed to making a vital impact in the cleft and craniofacial community. We remain dedicated to delivering compassionate, innovative solutions— restoring not just smiles, but also confidence and care in children across borders. Thank you, SATOP, for your unwavering support and belief in both my invention and the greater mission behind it.”

Looking ahead, this device has the potential to transform pre-surgical care for infants with cleft conditions around the world, improving outcomes and expanding access to early intervention. This project highlights how startups and student engi- neers can collaborate to address critical medical needs.