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KENNESAW, Ga. | May 7, 2026

Henry Flores bet on himself when he chose to start over in a new country. Now graduating from 黑料网 with a Master of Science in Information Technology, his contributions on award-winning research projects could transform how patients monitor their wellbeing.

A graduate research assistant in the , Flores has worked alongside associate professor Maria Valero in the (CCSE) to explore how artificial intelligence can improve healthcare outcomes. His research focuses on developing non-invasive methods to monitor glucose levels, offering a potential alternative to traditional blood-based testing that can be both costly and painful for patients. Using infrared imaging and machine learning models, Flores and the team analyze biological signals to estimate glucose levels with approximately 90 percent accuracy.

鈥淲hat we want is a device that is low cost, portable, and non-invasive,鈥� Flores said. 鈥淧eople should be able to check their glucose without pain and trust the results.鈥� 

That focus on solving real-world problems helped his work gain international recognition. In September 2025, Flores presented his research at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Biomedical and Health Informatics conference alongside doctoral student El Arbi Belfarsi and faculty advisor Maria Valero, where their team earned the Best Poster Award among dozens of competing projects.

鈥淗enry鈥檚 work demonstrates how applied research and interdisciplinary thinking can address real challenges in healthcare,鈥� CCSE Interim Dean Yiming Ji said. 鈥淗is ability to transition into a new field and contribute at a high level speaks to both his determination and the opportunities available to students at Kennesaw State.鈥�

A native of San Cristobal, Venezuela, Flores spent more than two decades building a career as a criminal lawyer and prosecutor before deciding to pursue new opportunities in the U.S. Looking for a place that emphasized research and innovation, he chose Kennesaw State, where he discovered a new passion in a field far removed from his previous profession.

He鈥檚 in good company, too.  His daughters, Sofia and Maria, will begin studying industrial and systems engineering at Kennesaw State in Fall 2026.

鈥淢y wife and I are incredibly proud that our daughters have the opportunity to study at this prestigious university, where high academic standards converge with positive social and family values,鈥� Flores said. 鈥淎s a graduate student, I can attest to that.鈥�

For Flores, their decision to attend Kennesaw State represents more than academic opportunity. It marks the beginning of a family legacy built on perseverance, growth, and education.

鈥淭his legacy means never giving up despite adversity and always maintaining a desire for self-improvement,鈥� he said. 鈥淜ennesaw State represents a place where knowledge, opportunities, and values come together and allow us to achieve our goals.鈥�

Beyond the lab, Flores has embraced the broader experience of being a student again, learning how to balance coursework, research responsibilities, and life in a new country. He said that returning to the classroom later in life has given him a different perspective, allowing him to approach challenges with discipline, patience, and a clear sense of purpose.

He also hopes his journey will inspire others, especially nontraditional and international students who may feel uncertain about taking a similar leap. For Flores, success has come from staying focused on long-term goals and taking advantage of every opportunity to learn, grow, and adapt.

His success has already opened new doors. Flores has been accepted into Kennesaw State鈥檚 program and plans to begin in Fall 2026, where he hopes to expand his research into additional applications of artificial intelligence in healthcare.

鈥淚n the future, I want people to say this is a product that helps me, that is easy to use and affordable,鈥� Flores said. 鈥淭hat it makes their lives better in a real way. That is the goal.鈥�

鈥� Story by Raynard Churchwell

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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 黑料网 offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.