CONICET, the National Scientific and Technical Research Council of Argentina, approached Zarego with an ambitious vision. As a leading scientific institution, CONICET has a history of groundbreaking research, including the work of its founder Bernardo A. Houssay, a Nobel Prize laureate in Medicine in 1947. A team of esteemed scientists—Fernanda Ceriani, Paula Cramer, Lia Frenkel, and Juliana Leone—collaborated with Zarego to develop a tool that could improve public health by studying how diurnal rhythms and sleep patterns affect daily life. Their research focused on circadian rhythms, or the biological clocks that govern the wake-sleep cycle. More information about their work can be found at www.mirelojinterno.org.
From Research to Real-World Application
At the start of the collaboration, the scientists had already gathered substantial data and begun drawing preliminary conclusions. Their goal was to create an algorithm that could evaluate lifestyle habits and provide actionable recommendations for improving well-being. The COVID-19 pandemic, with its sudden confinement measures, underscored the importance of their mission: helping people maintain healthy habits, including adequate exposure to daylight.
The envisioned application would integrate the algorithm to deliver personalized advice, offering users a means to enhance their routines and, ultimately, their quality of life.
The Initial Prototype
The first step was developing a basic Android prototype. This app utilized the built-in light sensor to measure environmental light exposure. While simple, this prototype allowed the scientists to collect additional data and validate their preliminary statistical models. The resulting insights would serve as the foundation for creating a robust algorithm.
Building the Algorithm
After months of rigorous research, the team, aided by data scientist Ariel Haimovici, implemented the first version of the algorithm as a Python command-line application. This prototype enabled simulation and testing of various scenarios, ensuring the algorithm performed reliably under all expected conditions.
Figure 1. The CONICET Scientists
The Python application functioned as a proof of concept, offering the team confidence in the algorithm’s effectiveness. Once validated, attention shifted to designing a user-friendly application that would bring this innovation to the public.
Designing the Application
To ensure the app would address all relevant user needs, Zarego began by creating low-resolution wireframes. These rough sketches allowed the team to collaborate with the scientists and confirm that all use cases were accounted for. This iterative process kept the end user at the center of the design.
Figure 2. Low-Resolution Wireframe
Next, high-resolution wireframes were developed. These detailed designs provided both the scientists and developers with a clear vision of the app’s look and functionality, streamlining the development process.
Figure 3. High-Resolution Wireframe
Developing the Final Application
With the algorithm refined and the designs finalized, Zarego used React Native to build the application. This hybrid framework allowed the creation of iOS and Android versions using a shared codebase, accelerating development.
The Python algorithm was ported to a JavaScript library for seamless integration into the React Native app. Rigorous testing ensured the algorithm’s performance matched the original Python implementation, providing consistency and reliability.
Figure 4. Python Terminal Program
Testing was a cornerstone of the project. The same test suites used during the algorithm’s development were applied to the JavaScript library, ensuring the app’s functionality met all scientific and technical requirements. This methodical approach guaranteed a high-quality product built on solid foundations.
Launch and Impact
The final application, “Mi Reloj Interno,” is now available for download on both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Designed to support users in improving their daily habits, the app leverages cutting-edge scientific research to deliver actionable insights.
Figure 5. The Final App in the Apple App Store
Download Links
Note: The app is currently restricted to users in Argentina, as the statistical analysis is based on data specific to the local population.
Conclusion
This collaboration between CONICET and Zarego exemplifies the power of technology in translating scientific research into practical tools that improve lives. By combining expertise in data science, design, and software development, Zarego helped turn a visionary concept into a reality, paving the way for healthier habits and a better understanding of circadian rhythms.
