Chao Chai and Chaitanya Patange for the dedupr project
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Lina Victoria Hoyos Jaramillo and Jessica Betancourt Puerta for AccessBot
Chosen for the 2025 Best Emerging Technology Application (BETA) Award Sponsored by Chatstaff and LibraryH3lp
Chao Chai and Chaitanya Patange for the dedupr project
“We are honored to receive the Best Emerging Technology Application Award for dedupr R package and Shiny app. This award recognizes our commitment to equity, inclusion, and open science, as dedupr provides a free, transparent alternative to proprietary tools, removing financial and technical barriers for researchers, librarians, and students. By improving workflow efficiency and promoting best practices in reproducibility, dedupr empowers users to focus on meaningful analysis rather than manual citation management. We thank the award selection committee for this recognition and remain dedicated to developing innovative, accessible technology that supports libraries and researchers in advancing knowledge and discovery.” Chao Cai & Chaitanya Patange
Dr. Chao Cai is an Associate Professor and Agricultural Librarian at Purdue University. As a STEM librarian, his primary professional interests include evidence synthesis, research data management, and bioinformatics. In addition to his research and instructional roles, Dr. Cai leads a National Science Foundation-funded summer undergraduate research program, which provides authentic research experiences to students from backgrounds with limited access to research resources. His work focuses on advancing equitable access to knowledge, supporting innovative research methodologies, and fostering the next generation of scientists through mentorship and experiential learning.
Mr. Chaitanya Patange holds a master’s degree from the School of Industrial Engineering at Purdue University. He served as an graduate assistant in the dedupr project, and was one of the primary developers of the dedupr R package and Shiny app.
The dedupr project is an open-source R package and free Shiny web application that automates the deduplication of citations in evidence synthesis projects, improving efficiency and accuracy while ensuring compliance with reporting standards. By eliminating the need for coding expertise, dedupr Shiny app makes advanced citation management accessible to researchers, librarians, and students, promoting equity and inclusion in systematic review workflows. Its open-source nature provides a free, transparent alternative to proprietary software, aligning with best practices in usability and reproducibility. As a tool that enhances library services and empowers patrons through technology, dedupr exemplifies the innovation recognized by the ETS Best Emerging Technology Application (BETA) Award, advancing research accessibility and transparency.
Lina Victoria Hoyos Jaramillo and Jessica Betancourt Puerta for AccessBot
“Receiving this award is an incredible honor. AccessBot was created with the vision of making STEM education truly inclusive, ensuring that individuals with visual impairments have the opportunity to learn and create alongside their peers. This recognition reinforces the importance of accessibility in educational technology and inspires me to continue developing innovative solutions. I hope this project encourages libraries and MakerSpaces to integrate more accessible tools, fostering equal learning opportunities for all.” – Lina Victoria Hoyos Jaramillo
“Working for communities is a great motivation for me. Helping break down barriers and reduce existing gaps so that people with disabilities can access various activities, like those we offer at Biblioteca EPM, fills me with satisfaction. Receiving this recognition encourages me to continue working toward a better world. – Jessica Betancourt Puerta
As the Executive Director of Fundación EPM, Lina Victoria Hoyos Jaramillo leads programs in social management, education, culture, and innovation, focusing on equity, inclusion, and empowerment. Her work aims to create social and environmental impact through initiatives aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), strengthening communities and promoting access to opportunities for vulnerable populations.
Jessica Betancourt Puerta is a Bioengineer from the Universidad de Antioquia with a strong interest in community work, particularly with people with disabilities. This passion led her to study Colombian Sign Language interpretation and learn Braille independently. For the past five years, she has worked with Fundación EPM as an education technologist specializing in robotics, designing and leading workshops for diverse audiences.
AccessBot is an innovative project that adapts electronics education for people with visual disabilities, allowing them to learn and assemble circuits independently. It leverages existing technologies such as 3D printing, Braille, and Arduino programming but applies them in a novel way to create an accessible educational kit.
In the library setting, this project expands educational and technological offerings by making electronics education inclusive. Through workshops and accessible resources in Braille, audio, and digital formats, users with visual disabilities can engage with STEM content, an area where they have traditionally faced barriers. Additionally, AccessBot strengthens the library’s role as a space for innovation and accessible learning for the entire community.
“Chatstaff and LibraryH3lp are pleased to co-sponsor RUSA’s Best Emerging Technology Award. Both of our small companies originated from creating technology and services for provision of support to library patrons. We appreciate that this award gives us the opportunity to champion public service innovators within libraries.
LibraryH3lp provides a sleek, powerful virtual reference software platform that is affordable to all libraries. Chatstaff provides flexible chat reference staffing by librarians with MLS or equivalent degrees from ALA-accredited programs. Together, we provide the foundation for excellent service for your patrons.“
Established in 2019, the ETS Best Emerging Technology Application Award (BETA) offers $3,000 to an individual or group in recognition of a technology application that directly benefits library users. This award is sponsored by Chatstaff and LibraryH3lp.
The ETS Awards Committee was Co-Chaired by Melissa Becher and Megan Benson.