Fashion Institute of Technology

PROJECTS | 2020

Mushloom

Juhi Katta, Immanuel Went

Mushloom combines chitosan from fungi with proteins extracted from corn and milk agricultural waste to create a new and sustainable fabric.

Finalist Team

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InstructorS

Evelyn Rynkiewicz

**Evelyn Rynkiewicz** **(PhD)** is an Assistant Professor of Ecology at FIT. Before coming to FIT, she earned her PhD from Indiana University and subsequently conducted research as a postdoctoral research scientist at the University of Edinburgh (National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Research Fellow) and Columbia University. At FIT, Evie teaches classes in ecology and biology. Her overall goal is to increase science literacy among non-science majors.

Karen Pearson

**Karen Pearson**, PhD is a Professor and Chair of Science and Mathematics at FIT and Chair of FIT’s Sustainability Council. Her scholarly work relates to the creation of a science-learning environment for students that focuses on research and problem solving while engaging students in discussions and examples that address current topics impacting our world through the eyes of chemistry. Including the development classroom activities and faculty development models targeted better preparing graduates for design-related STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) jobs in a marketplace that is increasingly demanding sustainable design knowledge.

Advisors

Sabriya Stukes is the founding Assistant Director of the Master's in Translational Medicine (MTM) program at The City College of New York. A microbiologist, educator, and science communicator, her expertise is in working with individuals to identify unmet community needs, design sustainable clinical solutions, think critically about the world around them, and craft compelling scientific narratives. She also has worked for over a decade in fostering equitable and inclusive environments in the STEM disciplines and thinks deeply about how we can build sustainable healthcare solutions that work for all and not just some.

Founder of Danielle Trofe Design, a Brooklyn-based design studio that creates innovative solutions in science, technology, and design, Danielle departs from conventional materials and production techniques in search of long-term, sustainable solutions. With an emphasis on biofabrication and biomimicry, much of her work upholds the fundamental value of nature and embodies a systems thinking approach to life on the planet.

Julie Wolf is the Communications Director of IndieBio NY, where she promotes breakthrough biotech applications and the founders who develop them. Prior to joining IndieBio, Julie built multi-partner communities around science education, entrepreneurship, and the application of science with members from nonprofits, academia, and startups. She also hosted the popular podcast Meet the Microbiologist. Julie has a Ph.D. in microbiology and 15 years experience in molecular biology as a research scientist. She is passionate about making science accessible and relevant to everyone.

Gwen Sanchirico