The Illinois Innovation Network (IIN) awarded nearly $120,000 in seed grants to four research teams in its seventh round of funding earlier this month, with projects including development of a deep learning algorithm to classify stages of weed growth in soybean fields; a virtual reality training program to treat opioid overdoses; creating affordable and customizable composite membranes for water filtration and remediation; and determining the prevalence and spread of antibiotic-resistant genes among Illinois livestock.

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, while addressing issues of diversity, equity and inclusion. Sustaining Illinois now includes 40 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 (NIU).

“I am consistently impressed with questions that researchers across our state are investigating and this group of seed grants represents that intellectual diversity,” U of I System Vice President for Economic Development and Innovation Jay Walsh said. “As a state and a society, we want to know how to grow food more efficiently, protect our fresh water sources, prevent antibiotic-resistant pathogens and help people in a moment of crisis.”

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, as well as their potential for further work. 

“These research projects show the ability of IIN researchers to address critical issues facing society,” said Gerald C. Blazey, chair of the IIN Council and NIU vice president for research and innovation partnerships. “The research funded by the Sustaining Illinois program has short- and long-term benefits for Illinois and Illinois citizens.”

The newly funded projects and researchers are: 

Sustainable Farming in Illinois: Developing Deep Learning Algorithms for Classifying the Growth Stages of Weed in Soybean Field
Khaled Ahmed, assistant professor of computing, Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC); Koushik Sinha, associate professor of computing, SIUC; John Kostelnick, professor of geography, Illinois State University (ISU); Jonathan Thayn, associate professor of geography, ISU

Developing and Testing the Virtual Reality Embedded Naloxone Training (VENT)
Wasantha Jayawardene, assistant professor of public health, SIUC; Roy Magnuson, associate professor of creative technologies, ISU; Joanna Willett, director in the Nursing Simulation Lab, ISU; Scott Barrows, director in the OSF HealthCare Jump Design Lab, Distillery Labs

Engineering Sustainable Composite Membranes for Water Filtration and Remediation
Robert Sinko, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, NIU; Sabrina Nilufar, assistant professor of mechanical, aerospace and materials engineering, SIUC

A Pilot Study on the Prevalence and Rise of Antibiotic-Resistant Genes in Urban and Rural Illinois 
Pallavi Singh, assistant professor of biological sciences, NIU; Jan-Ulrik Dahl, assistant professor of microbiology, ISU