An innovation designed in Exeter to detect contaminated water and save lives has been shortlisted for a national innovation and enterprise award.
FluoroGlow’s device is designed to detect Cryptosporidium in water. Previously, it has been difficult to detect without slow laboratory-based tests. But FluoroGlow aims to change that by providing rapid and reliable results directly at the water source.
It’s the brainchild of University of Exeter Medical Science graduate Kathryn Thomas, 21, who participated in the university’s Elevate programme, winning an award in their enterprise competition with prizes provided by business education charity ESBF.
Now, Kathryn will compete against nine other talented teams from across the UK in ESBF’s Champion of Champions Competition.
Kathryn, who is continuing her medical studies at the University of St Andrews, said: “For the last few years I have been living in Devon, where earlier this year there was an outbreak of Cryptosporidium in Brixham. It took a long time for the parasite to be identified, and in that time, I saw first-hand the impact this had on people’s daily lives. This experience inspired me to create a faster, more reliable way of detecting Cryptosporidium in water.
“By identifying contamination early, FluoroGlow helps prevent outbreaks before they spread, protecting families and communities from preventable illness. With faster, more accessible testing, it reduces the risk to public health and gives people confidence that the water they drink is safe.”
The Champion of Champions grand final will take place at the Royal Academy of Engineering on Friday 7 November, where Kathryn will compete for a share of the £17,000 prize pot, providing vital seed money to help winners develop their innovation.
Winners will also receive mentoring from business leaders who are members of the Sainsbury Management Fellows network, plus CV packages from PurpleCV and entrepreneurial books from sponsors.
The event, hosted by TV presenter and engineer Rob Bell, is the culmination of a year of ESBF-sponsored enterprise competitions held across UK universities, with thousands of undergraduate and graduates taking part.
Each year, ESBF champions business education for engineers and supports universities by giving them grants to award prizes to engineering and science students who develop ideas that can make a positive impact on society
On being shortlisted for the grand final, Kathryn said: “Being in the Champion of Champions Competition is incredibly important to me because it represents the chance of take FluoroGlow to a national stage. With 50 UK universities running their own competition and only handful of finalists chosen, being selected as one of the top ten teams is a huge honour. It shows that my idea has real potential and gives me the opportunity to share it with a wider audience. More than just recognition, this competition is a platform to inspire others, gain valuable feedback, and hopefully take a step closer to turning FluoroGlow into a life-saving solution that can protect communities across the country and beyond.”
Amber Strong-Yates, Boyden Programme Enhancement Manager at the University of Exeter, said: “We are incredibly proud of Kathryn Thomas and her groundbreaking work with FluoroGlow. Being selected as one of just ten national finalists in the ESBF Champion of Champions grand final is a tremendous achievement. It has been heartening to see Kathryn’s confidence grown as a result of the ESBF-funded ELEVATE Pitch competition at Exeter and to see her dedication to make a difference and save lives through FlouroGlow. Her success reflects the ingenuity, impact, and entrepreneurial spirit we champion across University of Exeter Engineering.”
For more information about the competition, visit www.esbf.org.uk.