Dr. Stephanie Richards presented today at the i-Corps Blue Economy Pitch Competition 2024 at the ECU Health Sciences Student Center. She and her teammate, Dr. Sinan Sousan (Department of Public Health), entered their wind tunnel invention into the competition and won 3rd place. Dr. Richards presented their novel wind tunnel, the problem it addresses and its potential impacts on reducing the use of ineffective insecticides particularly in the coastal regions.

During the competition, 8 competing ECU teams pitched their business ideas and innovations related to ecotourism, aquaculture, fisheries management, biotechnology, and community engagement, from which 4 winners were selected. The 1st place winner received $5,000, the 2nd place winner received $1,000 and the two co-3rd place winners received $500 to be used for product development.

The blue economy is worth more than $1.5 trillion and provides over 30 million jobs, according to the United Nations. Eastern North Carolina plays a central role in the blue economy through economic activities associated with the Tar-Pamlico and Neuse River Basins, as well as the Roanoke River and Albemarle Sound. The i-Corps Blue Economy Pitch Competition contributes to this role.