Four Questions with Cynthia Rajeshkanna

Cynthia Rajeshkanna, a computer science undergraduate student in her second year at Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences (CICS) from Northborough, Mass., has combined her passion for research and entrepreneurship to develop and prototype Morpheus, a smart sleep mask. The device utilizes strategically placed embedded sensors to track a user’s sleep cycle and provide tailored sleep insights via an accompanying mobile app. To date, Morpheus has earned $17,000 in funding from the Berthiaume Center for Entrepreneurship Innovation and Entrepreneurship Academy.  

Tell us about Morpheus. 

I first had the idea of Morpheus during my first-year seminar class, Mobile and Wearable Technologies, taught by CICS doctoral student Allison Poh. We were given the assignment to come up with an idea for a wearable device that would improve someone’s quality of life, and I instantly thought of a smart sleep mask.  

My sleeping habits have not always been optimal. There was a point in high school when I was extremely sleep-deprived. On top of that, having just started college, I was adjusting to a new sleeping arrangement: instead of having a room to myself, I now shared a space with a roommate. Navigating challenges involving sleep is no foreign subject to me, so a smart sleep mask was a compelling solution that I could easily envision myself using. 

After submitting my assignment, I decided that I wanted to participate in pitch competitions through UMass’s Berthiaume Center for Entrepreneurship. From there, I quickly delved into venture development, attempting to turn Morpheus into a viable product and business. The end goal for this wearable device is accurate and cost-efficient sleep-stage classification comparable to the industry gold standard: polysomnography (sleep studies that monitor brain activity). 

Talk about your experiences with the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Academy. 

My experiences with the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Academy have been phenomenal. I’ve had numerous roadblocks in the process of developing Morpheus. I decided to take on the seemingly insurmountable task of creating a prototype with no prior hardware knowledge. I’ve had to teach myself and learn as I go, but the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Academy staff have been incredibly supportive. They have provided me with funding and mentorship and have connected me with external resources. The competitions were amazing learning opportunities as well. Morpheus evolved greatly throughout my participation in these events, and ultimately, after hours upon hours of trial and error, I was able to put together a rudimentary prototype.  

What are your hopes for the future of Morpheus? 

My involvement with the Berthiaume Center and the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Academy allowed me to develop Morpheus into a viable business idea. Now, as I prototype and test my idea, I hope to apply research principles and explore the intersection of entrepreneurship and research. I don’t have much experience with such research initiatives, but Morpheus is providing me with the opportunity to do just that. 

What advice do you have for other student researchers interested in pursuing entrepreneurship? 

My advice for individuals hoping to pursue entrepreneurship is that you don’t have to be an expert to get started; you can start at any point.  If you have an idea and are willing to see it through, it has the potential to become a viable venture. I knew next to nothing about sleep-stage tracking and hardware design when I began working on Morpheus, but these topics are now ones that I am exceptionally passionate about.  

Also, it has been important to turn to my network for support. William Lee, a doctoral student and computer science instructor during my first semester at UMass, has been one of my strongest supporters and advocates, as well as an advisor to me these past few months. My parents have been phenomenal support figures as well. My dad has instilled in me an entrepreneurial spirit, and my mom has never failed to encourage my endeavors; I would not have been equipped with the confidence to pursue this venture if it hadn’t been for them. My younger sister simultaneously provides harsh, unrelenting feedback and unconditional support. It’s a beautiful dichotomy that pushes me to constantly find ways to improve Morpheus.