University of Newcastle researcher impresses at pitching competition
Associate Professor Sally McFadden was one of a number of pre-startups and startups linked to NSW universities who pitched their solutions to global challenges at the NSW Pearcey Awards University Pitch Competition securing prize money and mentorship.
Associate Professor Sally McFadden’s research in the area of vision science has already led to the groundbreaking discovery which identified that the cause of the eye condition known as myopia – commonly referred to as short-sightedness – is environmental factors, not genetics.
Now this seasoned academic has impressed judges at the NSW Pearcey Awards University Pitch Competition by taking out third place for an eye drop solution called Lamynox that aims to slow the progression of myopia and stamp out the preventable blindness that this condition often leads to.
The global incidence of myopia has increased dramatically within one generation, and it is predicted that by 2050 myopia is set to impact 50% of the world’s population and become the leading cause of blindness worldwide.
The University Pitch Competition was held online on 13 October as part of proceedings for the announcement of the NSW Pearcey Tech Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Sally was one of a number of pre-startups and startups linked to NSW universities, who delivered their solutions to global challenges, competing for a total prize pool of $6,000.
Sally’s finely tuned pitch and was awarded third place, receiving a $1,000 cash prize and mentoring with previous NSW Pearcey Awards University Pitch Competition winner, Dr. Katja Beitat from Clinivid.
Contact
- Siobhan Curran
- Email: i2n@newcastle.edu.au
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