Sustainable Innovation Is Here at UMass Lowell!
The 2026 Sustainable Innovation Showcase and Challenge is a university wide event bringing together students, faculty, researchers, entrepreneurs, startups, and industry professionals focused on sustainability, climate technology and innovation.
This exciting showcase and competition features innovative projects, research, business ideas, and early-stage ventures addressing real world sustainability challenges.
Finalists will present their pitches and posters before a panel of judges for the opportunity to win prizes, gain visibility, and connect with leaders from industry, academia, and the regional innovation ecosystem.
- Date: Thursday, May 21
- Time: 3:30-7 p.m.
- Location: 201 Cabot Street, Lowell.
Program
Master of Ceremonies
Anne Maglia, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development
Judges
Barbara Russell, Adjunct Professor
Benedikt Reynolds, Program Manager at the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC)
Mark Michalski, Manufacturing Expert in Residence at FORGE
Pitch Finalists
CATAList: Continuous Hydrothermal Liquefaction (HTL) Technology
Presenter: Grace Chen
Cellulose Foam: Cellulose Foam Technology for Recyclable Cold-Chain Packaging
Presenter: Amir Ameli
GreenRoots: Zero-Waste Hydroponics
Presenter: Kasala Dhanasree
HeatSafe: Smart Overheating Prevention System
Presenter: Maroua Boumkouk
LiPhera: Lithium Extraction for Battery Recycling
Presenter: Jocelyn Foulke
Plastos x Keevah: Plastic Recycling and Transformation for the Manufacturing Inndustry
Presenter: Joanita Amoah
VitriFoam: Enabling Polyurethane Recycling Pre and Post Processing
Presenter: James Reuther
Poster Finalists
- Eternal Ethos: Sustainable Streetwear
- NutriScan: Public Health Technology Venture That Bridges the gap Between Environmental Exposure and Nutritional Health
- Saeed Gholamzadeh: Identifying the Drivers of Residential Energy Demand in Massachusetts Using EnergyPlus and Variance-Based Global Sensitivity Analysis
- Sanjeev Manohar: Regenerative, Oxime-Functionalized Polymer Systems for Active Nerve Agent Detoxification
- Stewartship: Land Ownership and Regenerative Farming
Program Schedule
- 3:30 p.m. — Registration, Networking, and Poster Session
Connect with attendees while exploring student, faculty, and startup poster presentations. Refreshments, drinks, and light snacks will be available throughout the event. - 4:30 p.m. — Welcome Remarks
Opening remarks from UMass Lowell and the Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy. - 5 p.m. — Innovation Pitch Presentations
Finalists present their sustainability and climate innovation projects to the judging panel. - 6:15 p.m. — Networking and Judges Deliberation
Continue conversations with presenters, judges, and attendees while judges deliberate. - 6:40 p.m. — Awards and Closing Remarks
