Student Research Competitions
Call for Submissions!
We are excited to announce four student competitions focused on sustainability in healthcare. Winners will be announced at Planetary Health Day on October 16th.
Click on the boxes below to learn about each competition.
All competition submissions are due on Monday, October 5th.
Please contact Lola Conti for questions.
Student Research Funding Competition
Do you have an idea to promote environmental, economic, and/or social sustainability in your school? Partner with a faculty member and submit your idea!
- Submission: 4 minute video
- Funding: $2,500 (2 projects funded)
Previous Winners
2025
- Nutrition Security and Sustainability, Jenny Snyder & Dr. Corey Flynn
- Incorporating a Sustainability Framework in Bioengineering Laboratory Education, Aqsa Owais, Tyler Johnston & Carsten Stuckenholz
2024
- Eco-Engineering the Future: Sustainable Prosthetics for Sustainable Healthcare, Will Schuck & Goeran Fiedler
Student Education Poster Competition
Submit an educational poster about a sustainable healthcare topic of your choice! Winners will be decided by attendee voting on Planetary Health Day.
- Submission: 48″x36″ digital poster
- Award: $250
Previous Winners
2025
- From Waste to Whitening: Using Eggshell-Derived Hydroxyapatite as a Sustainable Alternative to Amalgam and Composite Fillings – Maahi Soni
2024
- Reducing Food Waste in Health Care – Brandon Sia, Neha Devineni, Jenny Snyder, and Mary Lazaris
Research Poster & Presentation Competition
Submit an abstract about completed research related to sustainability in healthcare. Several winners will be asked to give a 5-minute presentation or will be asked to create a poster for display at Planetary Health Day.
- Submission: Abstract
- Award: $250
Previous Winners
2025
Presentation
- Characterizing the Patient Population of Interfacility Helicopter Transfers to UPMC Facilities – Rami Homsi, School of Medicine
- Developing a Scope 3 Greenhouse Gas Inventory – Trent Stross, Computing & Information
Poster
- Prototyping a Sustainable Pulse Oximeter for Pediatric Cases – Natalie Ceccarelli, Bioengineering
2024
Presentations
- Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Targets – Neeha Kolli, Environmental Science
- Evaluating the Impact of Interfacility Helicopter Transport Times on Patient Outcomes with an Eye Toward Sustainability – Justin Wang, School of Medicine
Poster
- Reducing Single-use Plastic Waste in Healthcare – Nnenna Ekoh, Sustainable Engineering
Student Implementation Poster Competition
Have you implemented a sustainability project related to healthcare? Showcase your impact and submit a poster! Winners will be decided by attendee voting on Planetary Health Day.
- Submission: 48″x36″ poster
- Funding: $250
Previous Winners
2025
- Composting Used Animal Food and Bedding – Kelly Barko, PhD School of Medicine