Biodesign Challenge Finalists Present at Museum of Modern Art

NEW YORK, June, 23, 2016—The Biodesign Challenge (BDC), a university competition that asks college students to envision new ways to harness living systems and biotechnology, announced its winning teams at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City.

The teams, chosen from more than 130 participating students, showcased projects at MoMA's Celeste Bartos Theater during the daylong summit. Keynote speakers included Paola Antonelli, MoMA's senior curator of architecture and design, and Suzanne Lee, creative director of Modern Meadow and founder of Biofabricate.

The student projects are on display at School of Visual Arts in New York City at a gallery show called Our Biotech Future(s): Student Projects from the Biodesign Challenge, which runs until July 1st.

"This inaugural year demonstrated the potential for interdisciplinary programs like ours," said Daniel Grushkin, BDC program director. "The student teams, guided by artists, designers and biologists, surpassed our expectations both in terms of learning and the quality and originality of the projects. We're looking forward to expanding the program next year."

Engaging universities internationally, the BDC pairs students with artists, designers and practicing scientists to envision bold, feasible projects that use biotechnology to address pressing issues in society.

Nine universities participated throughout the 2016 academic year:

• Carnegie Mellon University

• Fashion Institute of Technology

• Maryland Institute College of Art

• New York University

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

• School of the Art Institute of Chicago

• School of Visual Arts

• Southern California Institute of Architecture.

• University of Pennsylvania