Bethel University’s Innovation Scholars partner with NASA to bring groundbreaking stethoscope technology to market

What if a stethoscope could detect more than just your heartbeat?

Bethel University's Innovation Scholars team is helping make this vision a reality by assisting NASA Langley Research Center in bringing their groundbreaking Full-Spectrum Infrasonic Stethoscope to market. This year, a group of four Bethel undergrad students from science, business, and economics backgrounds worked on crafting a commercialization strategy for a device that could revolutionize healthcare. 

The team comprises of Daniel Herzog ‘24, a business marketing major with a minor in communication studies, Annika Soderlund ‘25, human resource major, Jack Hanson ’25, biochemistry and molecular biology major, and Emma Linnett ‘25, human bioenergetics major and biology minor. 

In the Innovation Scholars program, students in cross-disciplinary teams, guided by MBA mentors, tackle real-world challenges in healthcare and entrepreneurship over the span of four months. For Bethel's team, this meant taking two patents for NASA’s stethoscope and developing a go-to-market strategy for the device.

Unlike traditional stethoscopes that only capture audible frequencies, NASA's technology detects a much broader range, including infrasonic frequencies that are inaudible to the human ear. This expanded range enables the early detection of diseases and abnormalities within the human body. The stethoscope provides physicians with additional data by monitoring signals across the full frequency spectrum, including cardiac, carotid artery, and respiratory activities—features not available in conventional stethoscopes. Certain physiological processes are reflected in distinct frequency bands, ranging from 0.01 Hz to 500 Hz. With this technology, physicians can monitor a patient's physiological conditions across the entire bandwidth, offering a more comprehensive view of health.

Seth Paradis, Innovation Scholars faculty lead, emphasized the distinctiveness of this year’s collaboration with NASA. “Unlike other projects, this partnership has allowed for open discussions about the technology and patent, thanks to NASA's status as a government agency. This transparency enabled the team to broaden their research and seek input from diverse sources, making the project even more impactful.” He also shares his perspective on guiding the students through this project. “I love mentoring these students through the fun ambiguity of real-world corporate projects. It is an honor watching undergraduate students grow in emotional intelligence, humble confidence, and Christ-like leadership,” he says.

The projects begin without a clear roadmap, challenging students to overcome their fear of ambiguity and make difficult decisions to develop a clear, concise conclusion for the company. Each team member draws on their unique area of study and academic background to navigate the project effectively.

“I love taking initiative and figuring things out as I go, which is crucial for tackling uncharted projects like this,” says Herzog. “My business and communications background helped me contribute to the project’s goal of bringing a groundbreaking technology to market.”

Soderlund noted that her experience working in team-based projects helped with overall communication. “Having been in previous team projects within prior classes aided with the overall collaboration with my colleagues,” she says.

Hanson found that his science background provided valuable insights into the project. “My biochemistry degree definitely helped. We learned about sound waves in physics class, so I was able to understand the technology easily,” he says. “The biggest help from my education was learning how to research and find dependable sources. Not just online sources, but also how to seek out experts.” He gained a deeper appreciation for the importance of building a professional network, especially at Bethel.  

Despite some challenges the team encountered, they were able to navigate them by asking the right questions, keeping their end goal in focus, and maintaining open communication as a team. For Herzog, the project pushed him and his team to navigate unfamiliar territory. The team had to figure out where to start, understand how NASA operates differently from other for-profit businesses, and how they license their patents to other businesses. “It took time to adjust our approach from recommending manufacturing the device to finding the right partner to commercialize it,” Herzog says.  

Soderlund emphasizes the invaluable support they received throughout the project. “We were fortunate to have amazing mentors who guided us along the way,” she says. Along with Paradis, MBA student Conner Simms from Augsburg University served as the team lead, helping to shape the project’s direction. Herzog highlights the value of collaboration in overcoming obstacles. “Most importantly, we leaned on the expertise of those who had faced similar obstacles before, ensuring we made informed and strategic decisions,” he says. 

Preparing for the presentation was both challenging and rewarding. Since the team had to work with vague instructions, much of the preparation involved refining their brainstorming into a clear business plan. “We had to be selective about what to include in our 30-minute presentation, ensuring we communicated the value of the technology effectively,” says Hanson. 

When the team finalized their research and project recommendations, they had the opportunity to present their findings to NASA’s technology transfer officers on February 25 of this year—an experience that left a lasting impression. “It was honestly so fun,” Herzog says. “This presentation was by far the most ‘real-world-like’ scenario I’ve ever faced, and I am so grateful for this opportunity. It gave me a firsthand look at what business presentations really feel like and how it feels to answer tough questions on the spot.” Hanson recognized that presenting to NASA officers is a rare opportunity, and appreciated that they asked questions in order to help them think critically. “This was a valuable learning experience in communicating complex ideas concisely and professionally,” he says.

For Herzog, working on this project provided lasting lessons that can impact his future career. “This experience taught me the value of collaboration, problem-solving, and perseverance. I look forward to seeing how the skills I’ve gained here will shape my future,” he says.

Reflecting on the experience, Soderlund shared her biggest takeaway. “Even a group of four college students from entirely different areas can do incredible work together, especially when entrusted with a valuable product or innovation. This experience taught me the importance of teamwork and that it’s okay to ask for help, rely on your teammates, and not have all the answers. Being a part of this program allowed me to understand the positive factors of being a part of a team,” she says. 

To Hanson, this experience reinforced the importance of problem-solving, adaptability, and strategic thinking—skills that are essential in both science and business. “I gained a deeper appreciation for networking and leveraging expertise beyond my own knowledge, which will be valuable in my future studies and career,” he says. 

This year’s Innovation Scholars not only helped advance NASA’s technology but also demonstrated the power of collaboration and the potential of young professionals to drive meaningful change.

Gain hands-on experience at Bethel. 

Through real-world, interdisciplinary learning, Bethel equips the next generation of innovators to make a lasting impact in their communities and beyond.

Learn more