Catalyst Competition Winners
2024 Winners
Find out more about the 2024 winners:
FIRST PLACE: REACH
REACH (Radiograph Extension Arm Centering Help) was the winning idea in this year’s College of Science Catalyst Competition. REACH is a mobile X-ray device that allows veterinary offices to get quality images while reducing risks to the animal’s health.
Team: Anna Parker, marketing; Elizabeth Nowell and Hannah May, biological sciences
SECOND PLACE: H2glO
Second place in the Catalyst Competition went to H2glO, a portable UVC light that kills bacteria in reusable water bottles.
Team: Sylvia Flores, genetics; Anna Maresca, health sciences; Tyler Schiesser, biological sciences.
THIRD PLACE: F.R.E.S.H.
The F.R.E.S.H. pack detects gases that indicate food is spoiling prior to noticeable signs such as mold. The single-use gas-permeable pouches could be added to any food storage containers to let people know whether what’s inside is safe to eat.
Team: Matthew Bucavan and Murphy Sweeney, biological sciences.
FOURTH PLACE: AdipoCM Biologics
AdipoCM Biologics is a large-scale bioregenerative solution that would harvest stem cells from fat and repurpose them to support healing for conditions such as diabetic foot ulcers.
Team: Matthew Keagle, biological sciences.
2023 Winners
Find out more about the 2023 winners:
FIRST PLACE: Octasight Automotive Safety System
Octasight makes old cars safer through a wireless hub-based sensor system that alerts drivers of obstacles so they can avoid collisions. The system could be expanded with other features such as blind-spot monitoring and thermal cameras.
Team: Devin Casper, mechanical engineering and computer engineering; Soren Spina, biochemistry.
SECOND PLACE: SafeStraws
SafeStraws, which use litmus and pH paper to detect chemicals in drinks, alerts users to the presence of substances like a common data rape drug by changing color.
Team: Susan Davis, biological sciences.
THIRD PLACE: Diaband
Diaband is a skin-like product that utilizes hirudin, a compound from leech saliva, to enhance wound healing in diabetics by restoring blood flow to the affected area.
Team: Sabrina Melendez-Rosales, biological sciences and genetics.
2022 Winners
Find out more about the 2022 winners:
FIRST PLACE: geneTunes
geneTunes turns genetic variations into unique art and music. An algorithm maps a person’s genetic nucleotides bit by bit, transforming those bits into one-of-a-kind art and music pieces that creatively celebrate a person’s individuality.
Team: Jack Carson, genetics.
SECOND PLACE: Fentanyl test strips
These test strips would detect the presence of fentanyl, a deadly synthetic opioid that is often made into pills or mixed with illegal drugs like heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine.
Team: Luke Page, chemistry.
THIRD PLACE: Cheap
Cheap is a computer software program that predicts degradation and failure of viscolastic material, such as the rubber in tires.
Team: Tori Luongo, Duygu Vargun, Abdullah Kose, Eddie Lewis and Andrew Zix.
