Big Science Pitch winners in the SALTT lab

Fletcher Warren-Myers and Luke Barrett of the SALTT lab competed in the University’s inaugural Big Science Pitch on October 28.

Luke pitched a project on growing seaweeds in the wastewater of abalone farms to create a source of agar for biomedical use while Fletcher pitched a commercial-scale trial of abalone aquaculture to create a new industry for southern Australia that could help keep urchin numbers low and help restore lost kelp forests.

Luke came third ($15000) and Fletcher won the Tim Winton’s choice award ($20000). They now have great seed funding to kick start these novel projects.