Traditionally, superheroes wear capes. But in this day and age, the individuals saving the world are the ones who are tackling our planet’s most dire threat head-on: climate change.

Pace students, naturally, are ready to do their part. Through the Project Planet USA competition—an initiative hosted by the Lubin School of Business and The Front Yard at Pace University, students and faculty were encouraged to submit their concepts, innovative ideas, or solutions aimed at addressing climate change for a chance to win a cash grant in the amount of $15,000, plus professional mentoring, public relations, and network connections.

Unsurprisingly, a number of Pace students–Seidenberg’s Shubham Madhavi ‘24 and College of Health Professions’s Danielle Hanson ’24, Nisha Troupe ’24, Anjienna Lowtan ‘24– rose to the challenge and were awarded the big prize.

Their ideas, both ingenious and impactful, may very well make major waves to usher in a greener, more sustainable future.

The Bio-Brick Revolution

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Every cloud has a silver lining. Seidenberg graduate student Shubham Harishchandra Madhavi is taking this proverb to new heights; he’s hoping to take the plastic that has made its way into the ocean into special bio-bricks, designed to restore coral reefs.

“My winning concept revolves around the creation of bio-bricks harvested from ocean plastic, which have the remarkable ability to convert CO2 into coral-restoring nutrients," Shubham explains. “This innovative approach not only addresses the urgent need to tackle plastic pollution in our oceans but also contributes to the restoration of coral reefs, which are vital ecosystems threatened by climate change.”

With the support of the grant and accompanying mentoring, Shubham envisions tangible impacts rippling across oceans and coastlines worldwide.

"By removing ocean plastic and converting it into bio-bricks, we directly mitigate the harmful effects of plastic pollution on marine life and ecosystems," he says.

Naturally Shubham's ambitions extend far beyond the confines of the grant period. His long-term goals are as vast as the ocean itself, encompassing the scaling up of bio-brick production, the expansion of the project to distant shores, and the integration of his innovation into existing reef restoration efforts. As Shubham charts a course towards a greener tomorrow, he’s helping to rebuild our oceans purposefully; one bio-brick at a time.

Hope in a Barrel

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Nisha Troupe, Anjienna Lowtan, and Danielle Hanson, are on a mission to revolutionize clean water accessibility.

"It all started with our Health Science program," says Nisha. "We delved into global health discrepancies, and one glaring issue stood out: access to clean water."

Their winning concept? A barrel filtration system designed to harness rainwater, purify it, and provide communities with a sustainable source of clean water.

"We realized that by tapping into rainwater, we could alleviate the strain on traditional water sources," Anjienna explains. "This means reducing energy-intensive processes like pumping and treating water, ultimately curbing carbon emissions."

The trio envisioned their project not just as a solution but as a catalyst for change, with specific outcomes aimed at amplifying its impact. Scaling up implementation, refining filtration technology, forging partnerships—these were just a few steps towards their overarching goal: ensuring clean water for all, regardless of geographical or socioeconomic barriers.

Their long-term vision goes beyond the grant period, to a future wherein water scarcity was a thing of the past and where communities can thrive in harmony with nature.

"We're not just providing water; we're paving the way for sustainable solutions," Danielle says. "By harnessing technology and fostering community engagement, we're rewriting the narrative of water scarcity."

Learn more about The Front Yard program at Pace University, an educational platform that aims to build the most advanced toolbox for Pace University students, alumni, and faculty to support their entrepreneurial and innovative endeavors.