October 18, 2024 UW-Madison biomedical engineers win Collegiate Inventors Competition Written By: Tom Ziemer Departments: Biomedical Engineering Categories: Awards|Students|Undergraduate University of Wisconsin-Madison senior Lauren Fitzsimmons and recent graduates Molly Paras (BSBME ’24) and Zach Spears (BSBME ’24) won first place in the 2024 Collegiate Inventors Competition in Alexandria, Virginia. The group’s “Nerve Ninja” earned the $10,000 top prize in the undergraduate division of the annual competition, which is put on by the National Inventors Hall of Fame. The surgical tool, which includes a forceps and scalpel to improve efficiency and reduce nerve injuries during carpal tunnel release surgeries, began as an undergraduate design project in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. John Puccinelli, associate chair of the undergraduate program and an associate teaching professor in BME, was the group’s advisor. In addition to their cash prize, the UW-Madison group will receive a patent acceleration certificate from the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Top photo caption: From left, Molly Paras, Zach Spears and Lauren Fitzsimmons. Photo courtesy National Inventors Hall of Fame. Congratulations to the Undergraduate Winner of the 2024 Collegiate Inventors Competition® The Nerve Ninja! @UWMadison We’re inspired by your creativity and dedication, and we can’t wait to see how you continue to impact the world. pic.twitter.com/XEePETbPJO— Inventors HOF (@InventorsHOF) October 18, 2024