4th Annual Graduate Student Poster Competition
             2010 Charlotte Biotechnology Conference

CLICK HERE for the photos of 2009 Charlotte Biotechnology Conference Student Poster Competition Finalists


CLICK HERE for the photos of 2009 Charlotte Biotechnology Conference Student Poster Competition Winners

 

What Is It?

Fundamental to the region’s success is the basic and applied research that is conducted at the region’s top research institutions. However, the ability to commercialize these technologies is a key factor in the development of a comprehensive biotechnology community. This competition is an excellent showcase of Charlotte’s top scientific research projects and collaborations.

Who Participates?

Any graduate student (undergraduates and postdocs are not eligible) currently enrolled in area universities and conducting “biotechnology” research with the potential for commercialization. Research areas may include, but are not limited to, the following: biomedical engineering, biology, nanotechnology, bioimaging, bioinformatics, nutritional science, and disease research. 

How To Apply?

Submit an application by September 24, 2010, 6:00 pm. Click HERE to download an application.


Selection Process, Judging and Prizes

After an initial review of all entries, 10-12 applications will be selected as finalists for the poster competition. Finalists will be notified by September 30, 2010. Each poster finalist will have the opportunity to display and present their poster at the Charlotte Biotechnology Conference on October 27, 2010 at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. A review committee consisting of scientific advisors, business development experts and private equity investors will review each submitted application, interview each finalist at the poster competition and score the poster and its presentation.

There will be a total of four cash prizes:

  • Grand Prize = $1,000
  • Second Prize = $500
  • Two Runner Ups = $250 (per team)

Poster Scoring  

A five-judge panel will interview each graduate-student finalist throughout the Charlotte Biotechnology Conference on October 27, 2010. Winners will be announced at the VIP Reception immediately following the conference.

Commercialization Opportunity – 30%

  • Description on how this research could make money within the private sector. 
  • Does this research compliment/enhance an existing technology or process? 
  • Could this technology/service form the platform of a separate company? 
  • What sectors would benefit from development of the work? 
  • What timeline is realistic for development of the work from benchtop to commercial use?


Quality of Research – 50%

  • Background/Overview
  • Materials and Methods
  • Results and Discussion
  • Future Directions of the Project
  • References


Presentation – 20%

  • The ability to package and communicate your findings is a key component necessary in all fields of study
  • The look and feel of the submission should highlight the core research as well as the commercialization opportunities of the project.

 

Questions/Contact

Sheetal Ghelani
704-250-2648
sghelani@dhmri.org

2009 Winners

  • 1st Place ($1,000) – Mária Bahawdory, Wake Forest University; POSTER - Use of a novel biomaterial to facilitate rapid blood clotting for use in trauma injuries
  • 2nd Place ($500) – Rebecca Powell, University of North Carolina at Charlotte; POSTER - Generation of human thyroglobulin protein from soybean platform for treatment of clinical thyroid disease
  • Runner-Up ($250) – Zachary Cary, Wake Forest University; POSTER - Use of vesicular stomatitis virus for targeting and elimination of glioblastoma multiform brain tumors
  • Runner-Up ($250) – Bharat V. Bhut, Clemson University; POSTER - Design of high-performance ion-exchange membrane adsorbers for use in cell culture-based protein therapeutics

2009 Finalists

  • Aniket, University of North Carolina at Charlotte; POSTER -Creation of a mechanically strong bioactive ceramic/metal interface for hip replacement therapy
  • Megan Arrington, Western Carolina University; POSTER -Discovery and characterization of inhibitors of superoxide dismutase enzymes for anticancer applications
  • Olcay Boyacioglu, North Carolina A&T University; POSTER -Biocontrol of E. coli O157:H7 in harvested spinach using bacteriophage cocktails
  • Elizabeth Green, Winthrop University; POSTER - Identification of a regulator of cardiac myocyte proliferation for development of cardiac disease therapies
  • Ramesh Jha, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; POSTER - Computational design of novel proteins with enhanced structure or function
  • Christina Tang, North Carolina State University; POSTER -Immobilization of hyperthermophilic enzymes for industrial applications in food and pharmaceutical industries