HUNTSVILLE – HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology is a place where biotech businesses and ideas are hatched, so it’s fitting that the institutes a challenge that carries the HATCH moniker.
Next month, HudsonAlpha is hosting the seventh HudsonAlpha Tech Challenge and registration is open, aka HATCH.
HATCH is a life sciences hackathon where participants compete to solve real-world issues faced by biotechnology researchers and innovators in genomics, genetics, and bioinformatics. The event is March 1-3 on the HudsonAlpha campus in the Paul Propst Center, 800 Hudson Way.
“HATCH is so much more than a hackathon,” said Abbie Ruesy, HATCH committee member. “We center the event around the participants’ experience to explore computational biology and network within the industry. Participants have previously built VR educational experiences, simulated website interfaces for patients and algorithms to crunch data among dozens of other projects. HATCH is hands-on, dynamic and a celebration of participants’ work.
“It’s impossible to overstate the importance of the intersection between computer science and bioscience. The opportunities are endless and I can’t wait to see how the next generation of genomics professionals shapes the future of the field.”
The goal of the challenge is to inspire creativity through collaboration and energize the current and next generation of problem-solvers to conceive and construct innovative solutions to biotech challenges.
Participants will compete for the chance to win more than $5,000 in cash and prizes in two categories, high school and college/professionals. Challenge participants must be 16 years of age or older.
While not required, it is recommended that each team have a familiarity with advanced biology, genetics, or biotech-related courses as well as have familiarity with computer science, software development, or data analysis through academics or professional experience to grasp the challenging concepts better.
HATCH will provide participants with computer science and biology mentorship, so subject-matter mastery is not required. Participants do not have to be a part of a team to register.
To register and learn more about sponsorships, rules and challenges, visit hudsonalpha.org/techchallenge.
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