USD Faculty, Students to Attend Defense TechConnect Innovation Summit in Washington, D.C.
Three University of South Dakota graduate students, led by Jing Liu Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Physics, will attend the Defense TechConnect Innovation Summit Sept. 27-29 in National Harbor, Maryland.
The Defense TechConnect Innovation Summit connects top agency, military and industry leadership with the world's best innovations. Teams will compete in a pitch-style event, showcasing their products to tech industry leaders. Competitors have a chance at winning $500,000 in innovation prizes and over $50 billion in contracting authority.
"Disclosing an invention is only the beginning, and USD researchers and Technology Readiness Acceleration Center (TRAC) students are more involved than ever in the technology commercialization process," Liu said. "USD’s involvement to present at this Innovation Summit demonstrates the expertise, initiative and creative spirit of our institution’s innovators."
The students, Megan McCray ‘22, Marc Kouadio Niamba ‘22 and Abbie Woodard ‘23, will pitch their innovative ideas and host a table at the event.
Woodard, who is studying physics and is a part of the TRAC program, will join Liu to present on their nuclear fuel waste monitoring program.
McCray and Niamba, students in the human factors in psychology program and also part of the TRAC program, will represent their startup, GreenLight Bionics, which focuses on technologies to improve impaired motor functions and provide support to amputees and people with disabilities.
“GreenLight Bionics is attending TechConnect to showcase our technology to industry members and potential investors,” McCray said. “We view this opportunity as a great way to gain exposure and network within our field. GreenLight Bionics is seeking incorporation and will benefit from an extended understanding of potential future customers and collaborators. This venue will allow us to demonstrate our tech, solidify future pathways, establish connections and receive valuable feedback.”
"Disclosing an invention is only the beginning, and USD researchers and Technology Readiness Acceleration Center (TRAC) students are more involved than ever in the technology commercialization process," Liu said. "USD’s involvement to present at this Innovation Summit demonstrates the expertise, initiative and creative spirit of our institution’s innovators."
The students, Megan McCray ‘22, Marc Kouadio Niamba ‘22 and Abbie Woodard ‘23, will pitch their innovative ideas and host a table at the event.
Woodard, who is studying physics and is a part of the TRAC program, will join Liu to present on their nuclear fuel waste monitoring program.
McCray and Niamba, students in the human factors in psychology program and also part of the TRAC program, will represent their startup, GreenLight Bionics, which focuses on technologies to improve impaired motor functions and provide support to amputees and people with disabilities.
“GreenLight Bionics is attending TechConnect to showcase our technology to industry members and potential investors,” McCray said. “We view this opportunity as a great way to gain exposure and network within our field. GreenLight Bionics is seeking incorporation and will benefit from an extended understanding of potential future customers and collaborators. This venue will allow us to demonstrate our tech, solidify future pathways, establish connections and receive valuable feedback.”
