Hi, I’m Max Kopp!
I’m a high school junior at Germantown Academy (Class of 2026) with a deep passion for biomedical engineering, materials science, and entrepreneurship. From a young age, I was fascinated by how science and technology could solve real-world problems, and over time, that passion turned into research, competitions, and even a startup.
This blog is where I’ll document my journey—sharing insights on scientific research, innovation, and the challenges of turning ideas into reality. Whether you’re a fellow student, a researcher, an entrepreneur, or just curious about cutting-edge biomedical technology, I hope you’ll find inspiration and value here.
Why Science? Why Biomedical Engineering?
My interest in biomedical engineering started when I saw my family members struggle with diabetes. I realized that current glucose monitoring methods—finger pricks and invasive sensors—are not only painful but also inconvenient for everyday life. This led me to ask:
“Can we create a non-invasive way to monitor glucose levels in real time?”
This question became the foundation of my research. I explored polarized light optical sensing and nanomaterials as a potential solution for glucose monitoring, leading to my project:
“Analysis of the Polarized Photoresponse of GeSe and Its Application in Non-Invasive Blood Glucose Monitoring.”
This project has been recognized at national and international levels, including:
✅ 3rd Place – S.-T. Yau High School Science Award (Physics Division)
✅ Top 3 in Engineering – National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS)
✅ Business Innovation Recognition – Conrad Challenge & Global Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (GYEC)
But science doesn’t just stop at research—it’s about impact. That’s why I founded Vitasense, a startup working to bring non-invasive glucose monitoring technology to market.
What You’ll Find on This Blog
Through this blog, I want to share my experiences in:
🔬 Scientific Research – Deep dives into biomedical engineering, wearable sensors, and materials science.
💡 Innovation & Entrepreneurship – What it’s like to take a research project and turn it into a real-world product.
🏆 Competitions & STEM Challenges – Lessons learned from science fairs, pitch competitions, and research presentations.
🤔 Personal Reflections – Balancing sports, school, and startup life as a high schooler.
What’s Next?
I’m currently competing in the XPRIZE Healthspan Challenge, aiming to push the boundaries of wearable healthcare solutions. In the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing insights into my research, startup journey, and how I plan to contribute to the future of non-invasive, real-time health monitoring.
I’d love to hear from you! Feel free to comment, share your thoughts, or connect with me on LinkedIn and Twitter (@MaxKoppSTEM). Let’s build something great together. 🚀
Stay tuned for my next post!