Mobile-first skin cancer detection awarded at SA/NT iAwards

As Australia’s premier technology innovation awards, the iAwards showcase breakthroughs that tackle real-world challenges through clever technological solutions.

This year’s winners demonstrated how far creative thinking and technical skill can go when paired with the freedom to explore personal interests. The freedom that Torrens University Australia’s postgraduate technology degrees encourage wholeheartedly.

AI-powered skin cancer detection imaging

For Anton Beliaev, the journey into cutting-edge health technology began while studying the Master of Software Engineering.

His project, AiBCD (Artificial intelligence-based cancer detection), was recently awarded a Merit at the SA/NT iAwards.

Anton’s inspiration for AiBCD was both deeply personal and grounded in pressing public health concerns.

Skin cancer remains one of the most common cancers in Australia, and early detection significantly improves outcomes. Yet many people delay getting suspicious spots checked due to cost, location or simply uncertainty about what’s normal.

Anton wanted to bridge that gap, making reliable screening accessible to more people, more quickly. AiBCD is a mobile-first skin cancer detection app, harnessing artificial intelligence to analyse images of skin lesions.

Users simply photograph a mole or spot with their smartphone, and AiBCD evaluates the image for potential signs of skin cancer, drawing on a vast library of diagnostic data. The tool offers a preliminary risk assessment, giving users guidance on whether they should consult a specialist.

While AiBCD does not replace medical professionals, its mission is clear: to improve access to life-saving diagnosis and encourage early intervention.

Anton’s project blends machine learning and advanced imaging, contributing to the field of skin cancer recognition in a practical, scalable way.

Anton developed AiBCD as part of his Master of Software Engineering, under the guidance of supervisor Ejoe Tso. Torrens University’s postgraduate programmes are designed to allow students to centre their learning around topics and innovations that spark their curiosity.

“Thank you to Torrens University Australia for giving me the platform to turn ideas into real-world solutions,” Anton said.

He appreciated the flexibility to pursue a real-world problem he felt passionate about, combining academic rigour with genuine impact. His success proves how valuable it can be to tailor postgraduate study to personal interests and future ambitions.

Shortlisted iAwards finalists

The iAwards attract entries from universities across South Australia, making every finalist’s place on the shortlist a significant accomplishment.

Among these was Shafayet Islam, recognised for his work on EmpathIQ.

EmpathIQ is an AI-driven mental health tool designed to read emotional states from speech patterns. By analysing voice tone and pitch, EmpathIQ can help identify early signs of emotional distress or mental health issues.

Shafayet’s solution has the potential to support clinicians and carers by providing an extra layer of insight into a person’s emotional wellbeing.

Also making waves was Fabian Camacho Guerrero, with his Blockchain-based Digital Credentials project. Studying a Bachelor of Cybersecurity, Fabian’s work aims to solve a long-standing problem in education and employment: verifying academic and professional qualifications.

By storing digital credentials on a blockchain, Fabian’s solution makes it faster and safer for employers or institutions to confirm the authenticity of certificates, reducing fraud and simplifying hiring and admissions processes.

A further noteworthy finalist was Hira Datta Dhakal, the brain behind MammoMind.

MammoMind uses AI to assist radiologists in reading mammograms, improving accuracy and potentially speeding up breast cancer detection.

By learning from thousands of images, MammoMind helps flag areas of concern that might require closer examination. The project reflects how artificial intelligence is transforming healthcare diagnostics and supporting clinicians in making timely decisions.

The success of Anton, Shafayet, Fabian and Hira highlights the incredible talent emerging and the broader South Australian technology community, supported by learning facilitator, Ejoe Tso

These projects demonstrate that when students are given the freedom to focus on their interests, remarkable solutions can follow.

The work showcased at the iAwards proves the importance of aligning study with personal passion. Torrens University’s postgraduate technology programs provide the perfect environment for this, helping students turn innovative ideas into practical applications that can genuinely improve lives.

For those considering postgraduate technology study, these achievements offer inspiration and a glimpse of what’s possible when education, innovation and personal drive come together.