Students of the Department of Applied Medical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Quantum University, Roorkee, brought laurels to the university by securing the Second Prize at the prestigious Eat Right Youth Hackathon Uttarakhand 2026, organized under the Eat Right India initiative. The winning team received a cash prize of ₹1, 00, 000 for presenting an innovative functional food solution aimed at promoting healthier and safer food systems.

The winning team comprised of Ms. Yusra Mahak Siddiqui, Ms. Avni Verma, and Ms. Subahlaxi Behera, whose research-based project, "Development and Evaluation of Seed Cycling Based Functional Food Product for PCOS/PCOD, " earned them the runner-up position in the highly competitive state-level hackathon.

The team's innovation, Seed Bites, is a nutrient-rich functional snack specifically developed to support women affected by Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Polycystic Ovary Disease (PCOD). Based on the concept of seed cycling, the product incorporates carefully selected seeds that provide essential nutrients, healthy fats, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, selenium, and lignans, which may help support hormonal balance and menstrual health. Designed as a convenient and scientifically formulated functional food, Seed Bites aims to promote natural nutritional management of hormonal imbalance while offering a healthy alternative to conventional snack products. The research has also led to the filing of two patent applications for phase-specific chocolate-based lipid matrix compositions designed for targeted phytonutrient delivery during the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle.

The hackathon witnessed enthusiastic participation from across Uttarakhand, attracting 387 teams and over 1, 600 participants representing universities, colleges, medical, nursing, and technical institutions. Following a rigorous three-stage evaluation process, only six teams advanced to the final round, where the Quantum University team secured the Second Prize. The award was presented by the Hon'ble Governor of Uttarakhand, Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh (Retd.), during a felicitation ceremony held at Raj Bhavan, Dehradun.

Congratulating the students on their outstanding achievement, the university leadership appreciated their dedication, research aptitude, and commitment to developing innovative solutions for pressing healthcare challenges. The accomplishment reflects Quantum University's emphasis on research, innovation, and experiential learning, while encouraging students to translate scientific knowledge into practical solutions that benefit society.