Fourth year computer science student Hasan Mukati and computer science assistant professor Panagiotis Apostolellis are developing a mobile app called ImpaKarma as part of an independent study. The digital platform allows groups of friends or community members to join forces around a common actionable cause. Mukati and Apostolellis' goal in developing the app was to catalyze positive change by empowering users to conveniently coordinate in acts of kindness and organize events to help local and global community.On December 4, the duo hosted the ImpaKarma X International Justice Mission 5k for Freedom run. The goal was to generate donations for and raise awareness of International Justice Mission, a global organization that protects people in poverty from violence, and Transformation Freedom Initiative, a local organization working toward prevention of human trafficking in central Virginia.
The inaugural ImpaKarma event attracted over 30 runners including UVA President Jim Ryan. The official app release is slated for January 14, 2022 and over 85 have signed up already to become a part of the ImpaKarma community.