Young minds shaping the future of the BIOtech Industry

The BIOTech Futures Challenge is an innovation and mentorship program that aims to empower the brightest young minds. This initiative allowed the students to work with world-class university academics to think creatively about scientific inspired solutions to challenges in the fields of Health, Medicine, Sustainability, Humanitarian aid and the Environment.

During this Challenge students Isabella Huang, Aditi Kamath, Jayden Xie , Kate Fernandez and Anna Maria Sulukojian researched a current problem in Health and Medicine and developed an innovative solution to tackle this problem with the support of a university mentor. They submitted a research project report and poster as part of this challenge.

The projects were:

Imaging Profiling Platform for Cardiovascular Disease – Heart Connect by Isabella Huang, Aditi Kamath and Jayden Xie
Mentor Dr Peter Su University of Technology
Sensors For Neurodegenerative Disordersby Anna Maria Sulukojian
Mentor Rona Chandrawati from University of NSW
Pressure sensitive ankle braces for the analysis and prevention of injuries and instability by Kate Fernandez Mentor Rona Chandrawati from University of NSW

Their innovation and research findings were presented at a Symposium and Science Fair in August at The University of Sydney. At this symposium all student posters were on display. The Santa Sabina ‘Heart Connect’ team was selected to give live presentation at the Symposium. They were asked questions by the judges and audience and given the chance to defend their pitch. Thank you to Ms Natasha Kempers (Acting Head of Science) for accompanying the students to this event.

The projects that stood out were those that were able to clearly identify and articulate the problem and present a solution that was both innovative and practical.

Congratulations to all students for their innovative ideas, creativity and commitment to this challenge

Rachele Rugiero
Dean of Gifted Education