Computing Student Earns Spot in One of the World's Most Competitive Hackathons
Haley Patel, an undergraduate computer science student in the Ying Wu College of Computing, recently represented NJIT at Stanford University's TreeHacks 2025, one of the most competitive hackathons globally. Sponsored by tech giants like NVIDIA, Google and OpenAI, TreeHacks received more than 12,000 applications, and selected only 1,000 participants.
“It was incredible to represent NJIT on such a big stage. Working alongside brilliant minds from Stanford, UC Berkeley, and the University of Waterloo was truly inspiring,” Patel said. “The tech culture on the West Coast, especially its entrepreneurial spirit, left a lasting impression on me.”
For the 36-hour hackathon, Patel collaborated with her team to develop an AI-based snack recommendation platform. The project enables users to upload images of snacks, helping them locate where to purchase them nearby. The idea stemmed from her travels and love for trying new foods.
"I got the idea from a snack called Chocorooms, a mushroom-shaped snack, which I loved but couldn't easily find afterward. This project solves that problem for many like me," she explained.
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Patel embarked on new technological territory when she utilized the building tool FlutterFlow, which touts rapid prototyping, scalability and Firebase integration. The team benefitted from direct mentorship provided by representatives from established tech giants and innovative startups alike — a resource she described as invaluable.
Despite not taking home a prize, she emphasized the lasting value of the experience.
"The journey, connections, and hands-on learning far outweigh any award. It was truly life changing," she said.
Patel brought prior hackathon experience from organizing GirlHacks 2024 at NJIT to TreeHacks, where she encountered heightened challenges and gained valuable global exposure.
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"The support from NJIT's faculty and clubs played a vital role in my journey," she said, giving special mention to Professor Junilda Spirollari. "Her ambition and dedication to uplifting women in computer science is truly inspiring."
Patel’s passion for technology stems from her early fascination with video games and a strong affinity for mathematics. Participation in various NJIT clubs has further honed her technical and presentation skills, preparing her for moments like TreeHacks.
"TreeHacks showed me that with passion and perseverance, even the biggest stages are within reach. I'm more motivated than ever to keep pushing boundaries, embracing challenges and turning bold ideas into reality."
