FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 15, 2017
Alan Ayoub Wins “Biggest Social Impact Award” for BrainiMac at the 2017 CSUMB Computer Science Capstone Festival
Seaside, CA — June 15, 2017 — California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) has announced that graduating Computer Science student Alan Ayoub has received the Biggest Social Impact Award at the 2017 Computer Science Capstone Festival for his full-stack application, BrainiMac — an educational platform designed to help everyday Apple users understand and confidently use their devices.
Awarded by CSUMB’s School of Computing and Design, the distinction recognizes the Capstone project that demonstrates the strongest potential to create meaningful, real-world impact. BrainiMac was selected for its accessible design, technical execution, and its mission to empower non-technical users through knowledge and clear digital instruction.
A Capstone Project with a Real-World Purpose
As part of his senior Capstone for the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Alan developed BrainiMac in response to a simple but widespread challenge: many Mac and iPhone users own powerful technology but don’t know how to get the most out of it.
BrainiMac was engineered as a full-stack web application that delivers:
- Beginner-friendly, step-by-step tutorials
- Visual, easy-to-follow explanations
- Guidance tailored to real-life, everyday tasks
- A clean, intuitive interface designed for clarity
Rather than overwhelming users with technical jargon, BrainiMac breaks down concepts into simple, friendly lessons that make even the most unfamiliar Apple features feel accessible.
Recognition at the 2017 Capstone Festival
During the 2017 Computer Science Capstone Festival, BrainiMac stood out among the senior class for its practicality, clarity, and strong potential to improve digital literacy for a wide range of users.
The award certificate — signed by Dr. Eric Tao, Director of CS Online, and Brian Robertson, Capstone Faculty — acknowledged BrainiMac’s ability to create meaningful social impact by helping everyday technology users gain confidence and independence.
A Vision That Extends Beyond the Degree
Although BrainiMac began as a Capstone requirement, it quickly grew into a larger mission for Alan Ayoub.
“I created BrainiMac because I kept meeting people who felt intimidated by their Apple devices,” Ayoub said.
“I wanted to build something that makes technology feel understandable instead of overwhelming. That’s the heart of BrainiMac — empowerment through clarity.”
BrainiMac laid the foundation for Alan’s ongoing vision: a modern digital learning platform that gives users confidence, independence, and the knowledge to truly master their Apple devices.
About BrainiMac
BrainiMac was developed in 2017 as a Computer Science senior Capstone project at California State University, Monterey Bay. The platform focuses on simplifying technology for everyday Apple users through clear, visual, and accessible digital tutorials.
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