An innovation designed in Exeter to detect contaminated water and save lives has been shortlisted for a nationwide innovation and enterprise award.
FluoroGlow’s system is designed to detect Cryptosporidium in water. Beforehand, it has been troublesome to detect with out sluggish laboratory-based assessments. However FluoroGlow goals to vary that by offering fast and dependable outcomes immediately on the water supply.
It’s the brainchild of College of Exeter Medical Science graduate Kathryn Thomas, 21, who participated within the college’s Elevate programme, profitable an award of their enterprise competitors with prizes supplied by enterprise schooling charity ESBF.
Now, Kathryn will compete in opposition to 9 different gifted groups from throughout the UK in ESBF’s Champion of Champions Competitors.
Kathryn, who is continuous her medical research on the College of St Andrews, mentioned: “For the previous few years I’ve been dwelling in Devon, the place earlier this 12 months there was an outbreak of Cryptosporidium in Brixham. It took a very long time for the parasite to be recognized, and in that point, I noticed first-hand the influence this had on folks’s every day lives. This expertise impressed me to create a sooner, extra dependable approach of detecting Cryptosporidium in water.
“By figuring out contamination early, FluoroGlow helps forestall outbreaks earlier than they unfold, defending households and communities from preventable sickness. With sooner, extra accessible testing, it reduces the danger to public well being and offers folks confidence that the water they drink is secure.”
The Champion of Champions grand remaining will happen on the Royal Academy of Engineering on Friday 7 November, the place Kathryn will compete for a share of the £17,000 prize pot, offering important seed cash to assist winners develop their innovation.
Winners will even obtain mentoring from enterprise leaders who’re members of the Sainsbury Administration Fellows community, plus CV packages from PurpleCV and entrepreneurial books from sponsors.
The occasion, hosted by TV presenter and engineer Rob Bell, is the end result of a 12 months of ESBF-sponsored enterprise competitions held throughout UK universities, with 1000’s of undergraduate and graduates collaborating.
Every year, ESBF champions enterprise schooling for engineers and helps universities by giving them grants to award prizes to engineering and science college students who develop concepts that may make a optimistic influence on society
On being shortlisted for the grand remaining, Kathryn mentioned: “Being within the Champion of Champions Competitors is extremely vital to me as a result of it represents the prospect of take FluoroGlow to a nationwide stage. With 50 UK universities operating their very own competitors and solely handful of finalists chosen, being chosen as one of many high ten groups is a large honour. It reveals that my thought has actual potential and offers me the chance to share it with a wider viewers. Extra than simply recognition, this competitors is a platform to encourage others, acquire helpful suggestions, and hopefully take a step nearer to turning FluoroGlow right into a life-saving answer that may shield communities throughout the nation and past.”
Amber Sturdy-Yates, Boyden Programme Enhancement Supervisor on the College of Exeter, mentioned: “We’re extremely pleased with Kathryn Thomas and her groundbreaking work with FluoroGlow. Being chosen as one in every of simply ten nationwide finalists within the ESBF Champion of Champions grand remaining is an amazing achievement. It has been heartening to see Kathryn’s confidence grown because of the ESBF-funded ELEVATE Pitch competitors at Exeter and to see her dedication to make a distinction and save lives by way of FlouroGlow. Her success displays the ingenuity, influence, and entrepreneurial spirit we champion throughout College of Exeter Engineering.”
For extra details about the competitors, go to www.esbf.org.uk.
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