Developing Innovative Solutions to Biomedical Needs
We are an engineering project team of undergraduate students across several majors who come together to develop innovative solutions for current biomedical problems and concerns. After two years of in-depth research and development, our project is submitted to VentureWell’s Design by Biomedical Undergraduate Teams (DEBUT) competition, where it is judged based on innovation, feasibility, marketability, and patentability.
What is DEBUT?
DEBUT is the abbreviation of Design by Biomedical Undergraduate Teams challenge, a competition that recognizes undergraduate excellence in biomedical design and innovation. DEBUT challenges teams of students in undergraduate biomedical education to solve real-world problems in healthcare. Strong DEBUT submissions will demonstrate a mastery of analytical and design skills and capabilities; the ability to manage the product development process; the ability to work effectively in teams; and technical communication skills. The submitted project is judged on the significance of the problem being addressed, the impact of proposed solution on potential users and clinical care, the innovative design, a working prototype, the market potential, the economic feasibility, and patentability. More than twenty universities compete in the DEBUT challenge annually for up to $20,000, including Columbia and Johns Hopkins universities.
Subteams
Our project team is comprised of three subteams: the Phase I Team, the Phase II Team, and the Operations Team.
Phase I Team
In the first year of the two-year project development cycle, working on creating in-depth design reports for concepts that are potential solutions to biomedical problems. This team will select a final idea to bring into Phase 2 the next year.
Phase II Team
Developing a project plan on a two-year cycle, spending the upcoming year working on the prototype development and testing of their Phase I concept and design. This team will submit their project to the DEBUT competition in late Spring.
Econ team
Works with the R&D analysts to conduct patent searches, market analysis, and determine the economic feasibility of all projects.
Operations team
Oversees the project team’s finances, including fundraisers and sponsorship. The operations team also manages the website and works with team leads to organize on- and off-campus marketing and outreach.
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