FAU CMBB BioTech Hackathon Brings Bioscience and Technology Innovation to the Forefront
Florida Atlantic University’s Center for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (CMBB) hosted the second annual CMBB BioTech Hackathon, convening students, researchers, and emerging innovators to develop technology-driven solutions addressing challenges in health, biology, and life sciences.
The event highlighted FAU’s growing role as a hub for interdisciplinary innovation, bringing together participants from biosciences, neuroscience, computer science, engineering, and many other related fields to collaborate in a fast-paced, collaborative setting. Unlike traditional hackathons that focus primarily on software development, the biotech-focused format emphasized scientific relevance, real-world application, and cross-disciplinary teamwork.
“I am exceptionally proud of the students who demonstrated the initiative to step outside their comfort zones and participate in a hackathon for the first time,” said Shailaja Allani, Ph.D., director of the CMBB. “They successfully formed cross-disciplinary teams spanning from high school through graduate level, demonstrating confidence in their abilities and commitment to innovation. Most remarkably, within a span of less than 48 hours, they acquired proficiency with cutting-edge technology tools, developed functional applications and generated creative solutions to relevant health care problems.”
Advancing Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation
CMBB plays a central role in FAU’s life sciences ecosystem, supporting research and education across molecular biology, neuroscience, biomedical sciences, and biotechnology. The center fosters collaboration between scientific and technical disciplines, reflecting the increasingly interconnected nature of modern research and innovation.
By hosting a biotech hackathon, CMBB expanded learning beyond the classroom and laboratory, offering participants hands-on experience in translating scientific ideas into viable solutions with potential research, clinical, or commercial impact.
Biotech hackathons differ significantly from traditional technology competitions. Participants must account for biological complexity, data integrity, ethical considerations, and regulatory realities, in addition to technical feasibility and usability. Projects often require collaboration between students with diverse academic backgrounds, mirroring the structure of real-world biotech and healthtech teams.
The FAU CMBB BioTech Hackathon challenged participants to think critically about how technology can be applied responsibly and effectively in bioscience contexts, reinforcing skills that are increasingly in demand across the life sciences and healthcare industries.
FAU President Adam Hasner stopped by the hackathon to speak with students and offer encouragement as they worked on their projects, underscoring the university’s support for hands-on innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration. Valery E. Forbes, Ph.D., dean of the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, also attended, observing student pitches, congratulating participants on their work, and encouraging them to continue applying their ideas toward solving real-world challenges in the biosciences.
Winning Teams Recognized for Innovation and Impact
Following project development and presentations, teams were evaluated on innovation, feasibility, and potential impact. The top three teams were recognized for their ability to integrate scientific understanding with technology-driven solutions.
First Place ($1,500) | Q-Beam - Quantum computing optimized surgical planner for brain tumor ablations.
Second Place ($1,000) | Health Lens - Solution to spot Parkinson's disease earlier through detection of hidden symptoms.
Third Place ($500) | CogniAware - Passively monitor digital user behaviour to understand changes in cognitive health.
The winning projects reflected the range of challenges addressed during the hackathon, from health data and research efficiency to applications supporting biological or cognitive health. Additionally, these teams displayed impressive teamwork, an ability to explain their problem and solution, and have a real shot to creating a startup or continue their work.
Strengthening FAU’s Role in South Florida’s Innovation Ecosystem
The hackathon reinforced FAU’s position as a key contributor to South Florida’s expanding biotech and life sciences sector. As the region continues to attract investment, research activity, and startup growth, institutions like FAU play a critical role in developing talent and fostering collaboration between academia and industry.
By connecting biosciences and technology, FAU is helping prepare students for careers in fields where interdisciplinary skill sets are increasingly essential. Events like the CMBB BioTech Hackathon also serve as a pipeline for ideas that may evolve into startups, research initiatives, or industry partnerships.
Supporting Innovation Beyond the Competition
Participants in the hackathon have access to FAU’s broader innovation and entrepreneurship resources, including the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Adams Center for Entrepreneurship and Office of Technology Development.These organizations provide business advising, mentorship, commercialization support, and connections to funding opportunities, helping teams advance promising ideas beyond the initial competition.
This support structure reflects FAU’s commitment to translating research and student-led innovation into sustainable ventures and long-term economic impact.
A Broader Impact Across Florida
At the state level, the FAU CMBB BioTech Hackathon aligns with Florida’s continued investment in life sciences, research commercialization, and innovation-driven economic development. By fostering collaboration between scientific and technical disciplines, FAU contributes to positioning Florida as a competitive player in the national and global biotech landscape.
The event also underscores the importance of experiential learning in preparing the next generation of scientists, technologists, and entrepreneurs.
Acknowledging Sponsors and Partners
The FAU CMBB BioTech Hackathon was made possible through the support of sponsors and partners committed to advancing education, innovation, and workforce development. Thank you to FAU’s Division of Research, Palm Beach State College, SBDC at FAU, TriAxis Works, Prolindox, Fisher Scientific and Studio Solian.
Their support played a key role in creating an impactful experience for participants and in strengthening connections between academia, industry, and the broader innovation community.
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