QLD Chapter of the BIOTech Futures Competition: Masked for Success 

Following the success of the inaugural QLD BIOTech Futures Challenge in 2022, the ARC Training Centre for Joint Biomechanics hosted the QLD BIOTech Futures Challenge again in 2023 as one of its premier highschool engagement events for the year on the 23rd of July, 2023.
    
The BIOTech Futures Competition is an innovation and mentorship program aiming to empower young talents by connecting high school students with world-class academics to think about scientific solutions to some significant challenges in the fields of health, medicine, sustainability, humanitarian aid and environment. Mentors were tasked with supporting a group of high school students to research current problems and produce a solution such as a product/device, treatment, technique or method.  
   
12 teams from 7 schools (Stretton State College, Mansfield State High School, Earnshaw State College, Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology (QASMT), Mabel Park State High School, Rochedale State High School, Stuartholme School) attended the program with 40 students, 60% of which were girls which was an outstanding result to support the development of young women in STEM. Each team was paired with 14 mentors working over several weeks to define a research question/gap, brainstorm potential solutions, research and finally present a report, prototype and pitch that explained their innovative solution. 

Congratulations to the winning team from the Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology (QASMT) on their idea of “An All-In-One disposable mask that administers antiviral RNA medicine nano-nebulization.”   
   
The centre would also like to thank the panel of judges for your time; Dr Robyn Stokes, Peter Pivonka, and Monica Russell. Further thanks to Mr Yohaann Ghosh past BIOTech Futures chair for his event welcome, Mr Luke Hipwood as our newest QLD executive committee member, and Prof Hala Zreiqat as the founder. We also extend our thanks to mentors, Dietmar W. Hutmacher, A/Prof Saulo Martelli, Dermot O’Rourke, Dr Maxence Lavaill,  Mr Luke Hipwood, Dr Adi Idris, Dr Jessica Benitez, Miss Hannah Neuendorf, A/Prof Devakar Epari and A/Prof Zhanying Zhang.