The Illinois Innovation Network awarded nearly $240,000 in seed grants to six research teams this week in its ninth round of funding, with projects including AI-driven plastic recycling, studying mosquitos to mitigate the spread of antimicrobial resistant pathogens, using algae to clean up microplastic pollution, detecting HIV RNA more efficiently, improving access to lupus and rheumatoid arthritis diagnostic tools, and fostering emerging youth entrepreneurship through technology.
The funding is part of IIN’s Sustaining Illinois program, which is designed to increase collaborative research among the state’s public universities, focusing on the economy, health and social well-being. Sustaining Illinois now includes 52 funded projects, and all 15 IIN hubs have received funding.
IIN is a group of 15 university-based hubs across the state working to boost Illinois’ economy through entrepreneurship, research and workforce development. The seed funding was provided by the University of Illinois System and Northern Illinois University.
"We continue to witness a strong and diverse research foundation across Illinois, with these six projects standing at the forefront of innovation," U of I System Vice President for Economic Development and Innovation Jay Walsh said. "These concepts closely align with state and federal priorities, offering our researchers a chance to expand upon their Sustaining Illinois initiatives."
The proposals were required to include researchers from at least two IIN hubs and be completed within one year of receiving funding. Proposals were evaluated on their alignment with IIN principles, how well they address their stated areas of sustainability, the scope of their work and level of collaboration, and their potential for further work.
"I am extremely impressed by the quality and scope of the seed grant proposals submitted for this program,” said Denise Cobb, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and IIN Council chair. “Researchers in our state remain at the forefront of discovery, addressing key societal challenges."
The six newly funded projects and researchers are:
AI-Driven Discovery of Sustainable Ionic Liquids: A Multimodal Deep Learning Approach for Enhanced Lignin and Plastic Deconstruction
Ezinne Achinivu-Ibagere, assistant professor of chemical engineering, University of Illinois Chicago; Khaled R Ahmed, associate professor of computer science, Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
Monitoring Mosquito Microbiomes as a Surveillance Tool for Pathogens with Antimicrobial Resistance: AI and Experimental Approaches
Shicheng Chen, assistant professor of medical laboratory science, NIU; Zhong Chen, assistant professor of computer science, SIUC.
From Waste to Wealth: Exploring the Potential of an Extremophilic Alga for Thriving and Biofuel Production in a Microplastic-Impacted Environment
Himali Delanka-Pedige, assistant professor of environmental engineering, SIUC; Ran Mei, assistant professor of civil & environmental engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
A Point-of-Care System for Quantitative Detection of HIV RNA in An Extensive Dynamic Range
Hui Li, assistant professor of electrical, computer and biomedical engineering, SIUC; Cunjiang Yu, professor of electrical and computer engineering, UIUC.
Sustaining Illinois: Affordable Paper-Based Diagnostics for Autoimmune Disease Management in Underserved Communities
Venumadhav Korampally, associate professor of electrical engineering, NIU; Walter Henne, professor of chemistry, Governors State University.
Circular Economy Startup Simulator: Fostering Emerging Youth Entrepreneurship through AR, VR, and AI Thought Partnerships in Illinois
Anne-Marie Hanson, associate professor of environmental studies, University of Illinois Springfield; Hei-Chi Chan, associate professor of mathematical sciences and philosophy, UIS; Neetu Singhj, associate professor of mathematical sciences and philosophy, UIS; Christie Miller, director of community and professional education, and director of cultural events, Northeastern Illinois University.
About Sustaining Illinois
The Sustaining Illinois name has multiple meanings, including the broad economic, health-related and social well-being of the state and its communities, and environmental sustainability of its food and water ecosystem, which includes addressing issues affecting groups who are underserved, underrepresented or underresourced.
Since its launch in 2020, Sustaining Illinois has funded 52 early-stage concepts supporting 161 investigators utilizing resources from the University of Illinois System and Northern Illinois University. Many of these projects have continued past the seed stage, earning more than $547,000 in follow-on funding.
