UConn Today – SeaSol Technologies, a startup that is converting seaweed into compostable food packaging to replace plastic, was the grand prize winner at the Wolff New Venture Competition last week.
CEO Yidan Zhang, a UConn Ph.D. candidate, was exuberant at receiving the top award, which includes $30,000 prize and $5,000 in pro-bono services from Wolff Financial Group.
UConn Today – If you ask U.S. Army Major (Ret.) Henry H. Washington III ’21 EBV about the experiences that set him up for success as a youngster, he will credit three things:
Today he is the Founder and CEO of the Henry H. Washington 3 Foundation, which serves to better the lives of children, teens and young adults in metro Atlanta. The foundation offers a wide range of services, but is particularly focused on helping youth find a career path, stay out of trouble, and serve the community.
UConn Today – In the United States alone, more than 130 million MRIs and CT scans were performed in 2023. And while those medical images are very valuable tools in identifying, or ruling out, serious health problems, they are not without risk.
While the majority of patients experience no adverse effects, the contrast dyes used in the process can cause allergic reactions, and can trigger kidney damage in those with pre-existing kidney disease. The concern is greatest among people requiring multiple scans.
Pragati Rout, a doctoral candidate, and her mentor, chemistry professor Greg Sotzing, have found a plant-based alternative that is safe, effective, and free of allergic reaction. They’ve created a company, called 404 Inc., to market the medical innovation, as well as other consumer products.
UConn Today – UConn’s Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CCEI) has received the Outstanding Contributions to Venture Creation Award at the 2025 Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers Conference in Calgary, Canada.
The award honors a university center that demonstrates excellence in supporting the launch and growth of startups through innovative programs such as competitions, incubators, and accelerators. Selection is based on program impact, outcomes, and community engagement.
UConn Today – When you visit your favorite sandwich, donut, or pizza shop next year, UConn Ph.D. candidate Yidan Zhang hopes you’ll be leaving with more than just good food. She wants you to also get a healthier food wrapper to carry it home.
Zhang is CEO of a startup called SeaSol Technologies, Inc. (DBA SeaSol), which is converting seaweed into a functional coating that makes food packaging compostable and high performance. The SeaSol team has developed a low-cost process that pares down the seaweed conversion process from 14 steps to one.
UConn Today – For many expectant parents, the countdown to the arrival of a new family member is filled with anticipation. They need to select a name, paint a nursery, stock up on diapers, and prepare for sleepless nights ahead.
Everyone hopes for a smooth and easy delivery, and no one champions that more than Dr. Andrea Shields. Shields is a professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UConn Health and the program director for the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship at the School of Medicine. She is working hard to decrease the risks that come with pregnancy and childbirth.
UConn Today – Imagine the stress of just being discharged from the hospital–still feeling weak, vulnerable, and shaken by a serious diagnosis—only to be told that you now have to completely overhaul your diet.
That is a daunting task for many, but fortunately food expert Vanessa Sena and two colleagues from UConn Health have a solution.
They’ve started a business called MLC Nutrition, which provides delicious, healthy, chef-prepared meals for recently hospitalized patients, with the goal of optimizing their health and preventing rehospitalization.
UConn Today – After a busy day at work, the last thing mother-of-three Kim Conti wanted to do was spend time sorting and organizing construction trucks, pretend-play toys, puzzle pieces—and those dreadful games that come with dozens of small parts. To help reduce household clutter and save toys from ending up in landfills, Conti has created Orbit Crates, a subscription toy-rental company.
UConn Today – The Hartford Business Journal’s “40 Under Forty’’ award will be presented in September to 40 business standouts, including four who are affiliated with the UConn School of Business.
The recipients include: Haley Heslin, Director of Human Resources at LAZ Parking and a student in the UConn MBA program; Thomas “Tommy’’ Hyde ’19 MBA, Chief of Staff at AdvanceCT; David Steuber ’08, ’21 MS, and Andrew “Drew’’ DiSilvestro Jr. ’15 EBV Cert., President of AmeriTech Contracting.
UConn Today – As a communications expert who handles emergency medical calls, Michael Brown guides people through some of life’s most frightening and stressful moments.
And while Brown is versed in handling a crisis, he also recognizes the importance of relaxing, enjoying entertainment, and the value of connecting with friends both old and new.
He and his wife, Sydney Brown, are the owners of ThirdSpace Arcade Lounge on Blake Street in New Haven, a gathering place and community hub for adults, particularly gamers, artists, crafters, musicians and poets.