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The School of Public Health and Health Sciences (SPHHS) at UMass Amherst held its inaugural Health Innovators Challenge on March 8, in the Life Sciences Laboratory conference room. The event served as a showcase for the innovative ideas and problem-solving abilities of SPHHS students.
Six teams, each comprised of three or more students, competed across three categories of innovation: products, programs, and policies designed to improve public health or an aspect of health sciences. A fourth prize was awarded to the innovation (in any category) that offered the best approach to address a problem directly related to health equity and/or disparities.
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“The strength of these teams was impressive,” says competition organizer Laura Vandenberg, associate vice chancellor of research and engagement and professor of environmental health sciences. “They presented high quality, innovative solutions to pressing public health needs. But what was perhaps most inspiring was the focus of each and every team on an issue of equity or justice. This is exactly what we need from future leaders in public health and health sciences.”
During the competition, each team provided a pre-recorded video message followed by a live, three-minute presentation on their innovation. The teams were then questioned by a panel of three judges: Elizabeth (Betsy) Cracco, assistant vice chancellor of campus life and wellbeing; Kathryn Ellis, director of the UMass Innovation Institute; and Gregory Thomas, executive director of the Berthiaume Center for Entrepreneurship. Questioning explored such topics as product viability, originality of idea and how the innovation addressed a public health or health science need.
Associate Vice Chancellor of Research and Engagement Laura Vandenberg announced the winners at the event conclusion. Winning teams received a $1200 cash prize while honorable mention recipients each received $400.
The 2023 Health Innovators Challenge winners are:
1st place (Program)
Cholera Prevention in West Bengal, India through Daily Testing
Team members: Megan Bergeron, Daniela Divo, Allison Henderson, Syd Levasseur and Sasha Whittaker
1st place (Policy)
Legislation Proposal for Cancer Alley, Louisiana USA
Team members: Zachary Clark, Jenna Marando and Hana Power
1st place (Product)
Ultrafine and Fine Particle Alarmer for 3D Printer Users
Team members: Olatunbosun Arowolo, Joshua Mogus and In Kyu Park
1st place (Integrating Health Equity)
Legislation Proposal for Cancer Alley, Louisiana USA
Team members: Zachary Clark, Jenna Marando and Hana Power
Honorable mentions:
Clean Cooking, Clean Energy, Clean Air
Team members: Jennifer Costa, Gwenyth Hamilton and Coltin Hargrave
Documenting and Responding to Hepatitis C Misinformation Among People Who Inject Drugs in Greenfield, Massachusetts
Team members: Fiona Lyons, Kelly O’Neil and Sam Tarplin
Microplastic Filtering to Protect Water
Team members: Sophia Duhig, Vina Nguyen and Sabreena Shah
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