A United States–based Nigerian designer and researcher, Precious Aforkeoghene, has gained international acclaim after winning two prestigious honours at the 2025 Design MasterPrize, a globally recognised juried competition that celebrates excellence in innovation and design.

Aforkeoghene emerged winner in the Health & Fitness App category with her project, *Gym GeniusVR*, while also receiving an Honorable Mention in User Experience Design. The dual recognition underscores both the project’s impact on digital health and its strong design execution. The innovative solution has also been showcased at the Dyson Award exhibition, a global platform known for spotlighting design concepts that address real-world challenges.

A graduate student and design researcher at The Ohio State University, Aforkeoghene is currently pursuing a terminal master’s degree in Design Research and Development. Her academic work centres on the application of emerging technologies such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence to promote accessible, engaging, and sustainable physical activity, particularly among young people.

Gym GeniusVR was developed as an immersive fitness platform that combines virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and gamification to reimagine exercise as an interactive and motivating experience. The project responds to the rising challenge of physical inactivity among young adults, often linked to academic demands, digital distractions, and declining motivation for regular movement.

According to global health data, physical inactivity remains one of the leading risk factors for non-communicable diseases and premature mortality. Among young adults, sedentary lifestyles have also been associated with increased stress levels, fatigue, and declining physical and mental well-being.

Aforkeoghene’s research adopts a human-centred design approach, drawing insights from young people’s daily routines, motivation patterns, and digital behaviours. By designing within digital environments already familiar to users, her work seeks to bridge the gap between awareness of physical activity and sustained participation.

“Young people live in digital spaces. If we can transform those same technologies into tools for movement and motivation, we can bridge the gap between intention and action,” Aforkeoghene said.

Her ongoing research contributes to the expanding field of digital wellness and design-driven behaviour change, offering fresh perspectives for educators, healthcare designers, and policymakers focused on improving youth health outcomes. Reflecting on her work, she added, “My research shows how design can bridge the gap between technology and human behavior. It’s about creating systems that don’t just measure activity, but inspire it.”

Aforkeoghene’s achievements further highlight the growing impact of Nigerian talent in global human-centred design research, reinforcing the role of design as a powerful tool for public health innovation where creativity, technology, and research converge to drive movement, motivation, and overall well-being.