Congratulations to Dylan Stoltzfus '27, Seoyun Hwang '27, and Lily Mauro '27 for earning 2^nd place in the 2026 Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition. The international competition, drawing participants from more than 140 countries, focuses on developing solutions tied to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The trio developed the idea of "The Algae-Brace: A Compostable Future for Orthopedic Bracing," a sustainable alternative to conventional orthopedic plastic bracing. The Algae-Brace is a biodegradable, 3D-printed orthopedic brace that replaces single-use plastic casts with a patient-specific, compostable alternative. Combining a bio-based composite with AI-optimized design, it would reduce material use, improve comfort through natural antimicrobial properties, and transform orthopedic care into a more sustainable, circular healthcare solution.

They earned 2^nd place after a public voting round and evaluation by an international jury.

The jury noted that their project idea stood out for its creativity, environmental relevance, and innovative approach to improving healthcare through sustainable design.

“By combining environmental sustainability with patient-centered healthcare, the project addresses an overlooked source of medical waste while maintaining practical functionality,” the jury shared. “The idea reflects creative systems thinking and demonstrates strong potential for real-world application.”

Congratulations, Dylan, Seoyun, and Lily!