Phostrack wins Rep. John Mannion’s 2025 Congressional App Challenge in New York’s 22nd District

When asked what inspired the creation of Phostrack, Mikyal Mobeen said, “During my internship at DCI(Dialysis Clinic Incorporated), a nonprofit supporting people with kidney disease, one of my activities was shadowing the clinic dietitian and observing patient visits. I noticed a recurring issue: patients were frequently surprised by everyday foods that required them to take phosphate-binding pills. I vividly remember one patient was shocked to realize he couldn’t easily eat a cheeseburger without binders. Despite receiving printed lists and brief explanations, many people still misjudged common meals and snacks.

“That gap between clinic education and real-life decisions inspired Phostrack. I wanted to address a simple problem. Patients need more than a list; they need repeated, low-pressure exposure to what foods actually contain phosphate so they can recognize risks on their own, naturally. The idea came from watching how easily routine choices like grab-and-go snacks, burgers, and family dishes could lead to potentially harmful phosphate intake.

“My motivation was practical and immediate. I wanted to give patients a way to reinforce what they hear from clinicians, reduce surprises, and feel more confident managing their diets. Phostrack grew from the belief that small, focused tools can make daily disease management less confusing and less stressful. Ultimately, I built the app to turn clinic conversations into something memorable through spaced repetition and organized journaling.”