Achievement

Last year the IGERT student-led team won first place in the UMass Isenberg School of Management business plan competition. This year, the team leader, IGERT Trainee Tracy Heckler-Panzarella won the 2009-2010 Isenberg Award which recognizes students who demonstrate academic merit and a commitment to the integration of science, engineering and management. Also this year Trainee Chelsea Davis won the Innovation Challenge Pitch Competition. This involved presenting an elevator pitch on her team's business plan to a panel of judges comprised of several technology entrepreneurs and startup professionals. Her business plan focuses on new technology inspired by her graduate research in patterned surface adhesion.