Through innovation, Jefferson students and faculty work across disciplines to envision, invent and implement products and procedures to improve lives and make the world a better place.

On Sept. 20, eight University teams showcased their forward-thinking projects at the Celebration of Innovation. Learn more about them below:

A Case Study into the Heat-Vulnerable Neighborhoods of Philadelphia
Urban heat islands are a problem in many inner-city neighborhoods—in Philadelphia and beyond. This team investigated ways to alleviate these blocks-long regions of high-temperature areas by creating green spaces, planting trees and establishing green roofs.
Students: Victoria Martine and Elizabeth May, College of Architecture and the Built Environment

GripN’ Go
This device improves independence and confidence during toilet transfers for people in wheelchairs.
Students: Aaron Anderson, Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce; and Sara Belko, Emily Furstenberg, Blake Rivas and Eva Varotsis, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

Hemp-Reinforced Bioplastics
The team strives to reduce waste in a variety of products and create better, more biodegradable materials using hemp.
Students: Ashley Clark, Gabriella Fioravanti, Lucia Gargano, Katherine Gortner, Lexi Patania and Maggie Riley, Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce

Hospital in Malawi
By marrying textiles and architecture, students work to design a pediatric hospital in Malawi, Africa. Tropical prints on patient and staff clothing, furniture and curtains offer a sense of familiarity and comfort. Aesthetically pleasing outdoor areas for patients and staff take advantage of the region’s warm climate.
Students: Emily Radomski, Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce; and Jessica Radomski, College of Architecture and the Built Environment

Mimaki Design Competition
Design students create sustainable clothing that shines a light on the environment and the importance of ecological responsibility.
Students: Malacia Clark-Nedd, Kinley Lingenfelter, Brianna MacFarland, Stanislava Norets, Stefauni Saldana, Mahdiya Trudeau-Williams and Meitong Yan, Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce

Philadelphia 2050
This project aims to design a beautiful, efficient and sustainable city of the future. It focuses on creating a walkable community that’s also environmentally responsible and financially viable.
Students: Nithin Cheluva Ranganath Mavinkere and Zayda Shavkatova, College of Architecture and the Built Environment

Stratton Foundation Collaborative Project: Examining the Prevalence of Perinatal Mental Illness to Improve Screening and Treatment
Members of two Jefferson Colleges teamed up to create a tool to screen pregnant women for mental health issues to initiate early treatment.
Team: Dr. Aparna Kumar, director of the psychiatric mental health nurse practioner program; and student Kirby Peterman, Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce

WILL Project
With the rare disorder fibrodysplasia ossificans progressive, muscle and connective tissue are gradually replaced by bone, causing people to lose mobility. This team is creating assistive devices for those with range-of-motion challenges.
Students: Kyndra Adams and Andrew Berger, College of Rehabilitation Sciences; Armando Ayala and Monique Chabot, College of Architecture and the Built Environment; and Justin Horst, Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce