HudsonAlpha's Tech Challenge

HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology (www.hudsonalpha.org) is an independent, nonprofit organization with the vision to leverage the synergy between discovery, education, medicine, entrepreneurship and economic development in genomic sciences to improve the human condition around the globe. The HudsonAlpha biotechnology campus consists of 152 acres within Cummings Research Park, one of the world’s leading science and technology parks. The state-of-the-art facilities co-locate nonprofit scientific researchers, entrepreneurs, clinicians and educators for biological research and development. HudsonAlpha is an international leader in genetics and genomics research and education and is home to more than 40 diverse biotech companies on campus. Through singularly-focused efforts as well as collaborations between people of diverse backgrounds, HudsonAlpha crosses boundaries to spark innovation and growth.

HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology

Presented by <A HREF="http://hudsonalpha.org/" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology</A> and <A HREF="https://www.newleafdigital.org/" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Urban Engine</A>
Presenting sponsor: <A HREF="http://www.maynardcooper.com/" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Maynard Cooper &amp; Gale</A>
Description: The HudsonAlpha Tech Challenge is a unique event to engage the development community and take on challenges in life sciences using business strategy, software development and technology. 
Goal: Inspire creativity through collaboration, and energize the current and next generation of problem-solvers to conceive and construct innovative solutions to biotech challenges.
Prizes: More than $5000 in cash and prizes!
 
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Date: November 4-5, 2017
Location: HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, 601 Genome Way NW, Huntsville, AL
Cost: $10/participant
 
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<H2>Challenges:</H2>
The Challenges: use an emerging technology such as machine learning, virtual/mixed reality, or blockchain technology and apply it to BioTech and Life Science.
<UL>
<LI>
Challenge #1: Use machine learning to help us automatically learn and help identify gene patterns in plants, determine if it is feasible to help save time with research and make studies more reproducible.
</LI>
<LI>
Challenge #2: Create an app to visualize and manipulate genomic data using virtual or mixed reality.
</LI>
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Challenge #3: Create an app for patients/research participants to view and manipulate their own personalized genomic data.
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Challenge #4: Use blockchain technology to make medical record and genome data security more accessible to clinicians without violating HIPAA or risking patient data security.
</LI>
<LI>
Challenge #5: Use machine learning or another emerging technology to estimate the bacterial contamination level of a human next generation sequencing library, including metrics for specific species.
</LI>
<LI>
Challenge #6: Create a user interface for review of genomic variants that is efficient in working through genomic data (participants will be given variant sets as well as the data used to annotate those variants).
</LI>
</UL>
 
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<H2>Judging Criteria:</H2>
Impact - How much impact (quality and quantity) can this solution have? Does this solution address the problem in a highly significant way?
Creativity - How creative is the team’s approach? Is the solution new? Does the solution represent something that isn’t being addressed by the market?
Complexity - How much progress did the team make during the event? Did they start from scratch or build on an existing solution?
Product - How user friendly is the technology? How fully formed/mature is the idea?
Presentation - Did the team effectively communicate their solution? Did they tell the story of the project and why it is important in a compelling way? How well did they respond to questions from judges?
 
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<H2>Schedule:</H2>
Friday, November 3:
Kickoff meet and greet (optional)
4:30-7:00 PM
Saturday, November 4:
TECH CHALLENGE BEGINS
9:00 AM through Sunday, November 5:
Judging and awards
4:30-6:00 PM
 
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<H2>General Tech Challenge Rules:</H2>
* There are no limits to the size of teams, but we find that teams of 3-5 people work better for hackathons. Also, only 5 people per team will qualify for prizes if they win.
* Participants must sign up for the event in Eventbrite and sign all of the waivers in order to to participate.
* Participants may come and go as they like during the event. However, high school students must depart by 11:30pm Saturday night and may return at 6:00am Sunday morning.
* All code must be created during the event. Use of open source libraries are allowed as long as the project is publicly available. Use of commercial software is also allowed.
* Use of design mocks or wireframes will not be allowed during the presentation. We want real working software and apps.
* Presentations will be strictly limited to 5 minutes with an additional 2 minutes for questions from the judges.
* Participants must provide their own laptops, and mobile/tablet devices for use during the event.
* Come on your own or create a team. We also want to encourage collaboration among attendees so if you find a team or person with a valuable asset to support your idea/concept, feel free to team up when you arrive.
* External hard drives are permitted for the hacking event itself. If you want a power strip bring it!
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<A HREF="http://hudsonalpha.org/techchallenge/Registration-Forms-and-Agreements.zip" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Click here</A> to review agreements and download the legal forms you must fill out to participate.
 
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<H2>FAQ’s:</H2>
 
What is a tech challenge? Is it the same as a hackathon?
The HudsonAlpha Tech Challenge is an event in which people learn and create. Teams take on exciting challenges in biotech and attempt to solve those challenges through innovation and creativity. During the two-day event, participants will have the opportunity to learn more about some of the new frontiers in biotech, and work collaboratively to create solutions.
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Who can participate?
High school students, college students and adults interested in taking on challenges are welcome! There are two categories of teams: high school and college/adult. You don’t have to be a member of a team to sign up. We’ll make sure to get you on one!
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I don’t have a team. Now what?
It is not necessary to be a part of a team entering the HudsonAlpha Tech Challenge. At the beginning of the event, we will have a team-building exercise in which you can identify the best “fit” for your interests and skills. You also can choose to work independently - but hackathon participants say half the fun is the collaboration and creativity that occurs within a team dynamic.
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Why are you hosting this event?
Good science comes from a combination of a solid background of knowledge, a creative idea, and the ability to work with data. Increasingly, science problems are being solved through the application and manipulation of big data. The HudsonAlpha Tech Challenge is a great opportunity to introduce the coding community… and students… to genomics, genetics and the future of biotechnology.
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Where will it take place?
The HudsonAlpha Tech Challenge will take place at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, located at 601 Genome Way NW in Huntsville, Ala. Participants will have access to several large workspaces on the first floor of the institute.
<H3> </H3>
Does it cost money?
We are charging $10/person to participate. This covers all food and beverages, a T-shirt, swag, and other fun stuff.
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What is genomics and biotech?
At it’s core, biotechnology uses biological processes (organisms, proteins, enzymes, genes) to create or enhance products that impact life. Modern biotechnology is powered by our understanding of DNA: specifically how genetic instructions create the building blocks of life and that changes in those DNA instructions alter physical characteristics associated with human health, agriculturally important plants and livestock and bio-based sources of energy. Today’s technologies generate enormous amounts of genetic information, requiring new tools to organize, analyze and visualize this data.
 
What if I don’t know anything about biotech and genetics, or writing code? Can I still come?
Absolutely! Learning is a big component of the HudsonAlpha Tech Challenge. We will offer workshops on the science to get you up to speed. Also, mentors will be available on and off throughout the two days to offer advice and answer your questions. The challenges will require a variety of skillsets, so if writing code isn’t one of them, don’t worry.
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Do you offer travel reimbursements?
Unfortunately, we are not offering travel reimbursement. Participants must secure their own transportation to and from the event.
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Where do I sleep?
Adults (no high school students) are welcome to spend the night so they may continue working at whatever hours suit them best. Bring a sleeping bag, a pillow, and toiletries. A quiet room will be available for sleeping or napping as needed. We do not have showers or bathing facilities in the building.
High school students will be required to leave the HudsonAlpha campus by 11:30 PM Saturday night and may return to the Tech Challenge at 6:00 AM Sunday morning.
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Who will be there?
Students, professionals, scientists, software developers and more.
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Will the media be there?
We are providing several windows for media to cover the event. HudsonAlpha and Urban Engine staff will be publicizing the Tech Challenge through social media channels. Additionally, HudsonAlpha communications staff and Urban Engine staff will be taking photos and video to document the event. Participants will be required to sign a release form. Minors will need the signature of a parent.
 
What is Urban Engine?
Urban Engine, formerly New Leaf Digital, propels the growth of North Alabama’s economy and accelerates STEAM innovation by connecting aspiring entrepreneurs and established business leadership to educational resources, talent, and community. Urban Engine is the Huntsville-based nonprofit organization that facilitates CoWorking Night, 32/10, community hackathons and OpenHuntsville.com)
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What can I win?
More than $5000 in cash and prizes is up for grabs!
 
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<H3>I still have a question. Who can I contact?</H3>
Please email: <A HREF="mailto:techchallenge@hudsonalpha.org" TARGET="_blank" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">techchallenge@hudsonalpha.org</A>
 
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