Finstad Announces 2025 Congressional App Challenge Winner

ROCHESTER, MN - Today, Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) announced Simon Wilke, a junior at Century High School in Rochester, is the winner of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge for Minnesota's First District.

Wilke created the app "DermaSight", which helps users detect early signs of skin cancer directly from their phone. Through the DermaSight app, users can take a photo of skin lesions, which is then evaluated using dermatological criteria and a detailed skin analysis report is generated.

"Southern Minnesota is the birthplace of some of the world's best medical technology, and Simon's DermaSight app is a true reflection of the kind of ingenuity we're proud to have right here in our backyard," said Rep. Finstad. "DermaSight helps educate users by putting real-time information in the palms of their hands - information that can lead patients to pursue medical treatment sooner. Simon's app makes early detection of skin disease more accessible, which is why I am proud to have his submission representing Minnesota's First District."

Watch the app demo here.

Creator's Description: "DermaSight is an AI powered mobile health app that helps users detect early signs of skin cancer directly from their phone. It is built with an accessibility first design that supports users with visual, hearing, or sensory impairments through features such as audio descriptions, haptic feedback, high contrast visuals, and visual alerts.

DermaSight uses machine learning trained on dermatological datasets and evaluates lesions based on the ABCDE criteria: Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, and Evolution. All processing happens locally on the device to protect user privacy. The app is available in six languages and aims to make early detection tools accessible to underserved communities by removing barriers caused by cost, location, or disability."

The Congressional App Challenge launched in 2013 as an effort to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education, and to encourage students to learn coding and computer science skills. First-place winners from each Congressional district are invited to demonstrate their apps to Members of Congress in an exhibit in the U.S. Capitol Building.

Permalink: https://finstad.house.gov/2025/12/finstad-announces-2025-congressional-app-challenge-winner