The Clemson COVID Challenge  is a summer virtual research and design opportunity for teams of undergraduates to work on problems related to COVID-19 and future pandemics. Aimed at providing students both a meaningful summer research experience and an important connection to a mentor, faculty and staff mentors will guide teams of students to identify problems and design proposed ideas and solutions.

Beginning May 2020, students will have an opportunity to create video sales pitches of their ideas and to compete for prizes and the potential to move their projects toward implementation.

“This timely program is supported by The Ron and Jane Lindsay Family Innovation Professorship, the CECAS Dean’s Excellence Fund, the Vice Provost for Research, and Creative Inquiry & Undergraduate Research,” said Barbara Speziale, director for Creative Inquiry.

The cross-disciplinary program, created by Clemson professor of bioengineering, Delphine Dean, will kick off with a Zoom meeting to be held on May 1 at 2 p.m. Interested faculty and staff mentors are asked to participate. Join the Clemson COVID Challenge information session.

“We anticipate having projects relevant to a wide variety of majors,” said Dean. “Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to propose topics.”

For more information and a proposed program timeline, visit:

www.clemson.edu/centers-institutes/watt/creative-inquiry/clemsoncovidchallenge/