An innovative idea for creating nylon from shrimp shells was among the winners of Florida Polytechnic University’s fourth Bio Expo.
The Expo is one of the longest standing traditions at Florida Poly, and an introduction for new students to the university’s belief in tying all classes — including core requirements — back to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
“The way a computer works is no different than the way your brain works,” explains Dr. Melba Horton, a biology professor and organizer of the Bio Expo. “The cell is the most efficient machine we know and probably the most reliable. We can’t fully replicate it, but we certainly try.”
The final projects were presented last week and judged by a combination of outside community partners and internal clubs and organizations. The addition of student judges is a new development for the Bio Expo, Horton says.
“The students have a different perspective and that’s been a lot of fun this time around,” she says.
Among the winners were Calvin Genzlinger and Harold Rivera, both freshmen studying Mechanical Engineering. Their project, Chitosan as a Nylon Composite, took home three first place finishes and one second place prize.
The vision for the project is to create a stronger nylon from the chitin shells of shrimp, crab and other aquatic creatures. Adding that organic material would make it up to 80 percent biodegradable and safer for the environment. While still in the concept phase, Genzlinger and Rivera were able to prove the chemistry behind their idea.
Winning multiple prizes was a validation of their hard work, Genzlinger says.
“It inspires us to continue making the world a better place,” he says.
The Full List of Winners
Skim Shield’s Choice Awards
1st Place – Acoustic Resonance: Preventative Measure Against Zika-Carrier Mosquitos
Students: Morgan Hines and Christopher Krenek
Mentors: Dr. Muhammad Ullah and Dr. Melba Horton
2nd Place — Chitosan as a Nylon Composite
Students: Calvin Genzlinger and Harold Rivera
Mentors: Dr. Christopher Coughlin and Dr. Melba Horton
3rd Place — Biotechnological Approach in Treating Computer Viruses
Students: Nathaniel Rios and Mylik Williams
Mentors: Dr. Dean Bushey and Dr. Melba Horton
Astro’s Choice Award
Chitosan as a Nylon Composite
Students: Calvin Genzlinger and Harold Rivera
Mentors: Dr. Christopher Coughlin and Dr. Melba Horton
Rockwell Automation’s Choice Awards
Nanobots for Pain Treatment
Students: Devon St. Denis and John Towey
Mentors: Dr. Robert Green, Dr. Huseyin Ucar and Dr. Melba Horton
Sensory Skin
Students: James Holland and Brett Barber
Mentors: Dr. Arman Sargolzaei and Dr. Melba Horton
Micro Optics Choice Awards
Chitosan as a Nylon Composite
Students: Calvin Genzlinger and Harold Rivera
Mentors: Dr. Christopher Coughlin and Dr. Melba Horton
NASA-JPL Ambassador’s Choice Awards
Chitosan as a Nylon Composite
Students: Calvin Genzlinger and Harold Rivera
Mentors: Dr. Christopher Coughlin and Dr. Melba Horton
Sensory Skin
Students: James Holland, Brett Barber
Mentors: Dr. Arman Sargolzaei and Dr. Melba Horton
Acoustic Resonance: Preventative Measure against Zika-Carrier Mosquitos
Students: Morgan Hines and Christopher Krenek
Mentors: Dr. Muhammad Ullah and Dr. Melba Horton
Blue Marble Space Institute of Science Choice Award
The Solar Fair
Students: William Francois and Jackson Purvis
Mentors: Dr. Scott Johnson, Constantine Stefanakos, Dr. Muhammad Ullah and Dr. Melba
Horton
Students’ Choice Award
Acoustic Resonance: Preventative Measure against Zika-Carrier Mosquitos
Students: Morgan Hines and Christopher Krenek
Mentors: Dr. Muhammad Ullah and Dr. Melba Horton
Ardent & Bold’s Choice Award
The Solar Fair
Students: William Francois and Jackson Purvis
Mentors: Dr. Scott Johnson, Constantine Stefanakos, Dr. Muhammad Ullah and Dr. Melba
Horton
Rotaract Club of Florida Poly’s Choice Awards
Acoustic Resonance: Preventative Measure against Zika-Carrier Mosquitos
Students: Morgan Hines and Christopher Krenek
Mentors: Dr. Muhammad Ullah and Dr. Melba Horton
President’s Choice Awards
Acoustic Resonance: Preventative Measure against Zika-Carrier Mosquitos
Students: Morgan Hines and Christopher Krenek
Mentors: Dr. Muhammad Ullah and Dr. Melba Horton
Nanobots for Pain Treatment
Students: Devon St. Denis and John Towey
Mentors: Dr. Robert Green, Dr. Huseyin Ucar and Dr. Melba Horton