2025 Translational Seed Award Recipients

A novel one pot approach to long polyadenylation in mRNA therapeutics manufacturing

From biologics to treat a wide variety of conditions, to gene editing, to personalized cancer treatments, mRNA therapeutics are poised to revolutionize medicine. The DuoTether® mRNA manufacturing platform pioneered by the Martin and Perry labs at UMass and now being commercialized in the spin out company Waterfall Scientific aims to revolutionize the production of mRNA across all scales, with the goal of dramatically accelerating progress in a wide range of mRNA medicines. A key issue facing all mRNA manufacturing platforms is the controlled addition of long polyA tails – signals to nature that the mRNA is ready for expression. A novel one pot approach to polyadenylation during manufacturing will be applicable to any  RNA manufacturing platform, but is particularly suited to the bead-based and single-path chip-based system that Waterfall is pursuing.  

Specific objectives of the polyA Tail Tagging technology platform are:

• Allow longer polyA tails than in the most common manufacturing approaches used today.
• Allow tuning of the lengths of the polyA tails, in order to better tune the functional lifetime of the therapeutic in cells.  
• Significantly reduce manufacturing costs, while reducing processing steps.
• Integrate fully into Waterfall’s single path fluidics GMP-grade manufacturing system.

VIRTUOSO - Advancing Intelligent Radiopharmaceutical Dosing and Therapy

The radiopharmaceutical therapy (RPT) field has accelerated rapidly following the recent FDA approvals of drugs like Pluvicto for prostate cancer and Lutathera for neuroendocrine tumors. Building on our research on AI models for computing radiopharmaceutical dose from pre- and post-therapy imaging data, we proposed to create VIRTUOSO or Virtual Individualized Radiotheranostics Trial Utility for Outcome Simulation and Optimization, a software platform for RPT dosimetry and outcome prediction.

Specific objectives of the NSF-ART STRP project are:

• Create a proprietary AI model for predictive dosimetry
• Design the software user interface
• Refine the software interface via usability testing
• Finalize the business model and commercialization plan and commence external fundraising

Health Development of a Wearable-Based Digital Solution for Stroke Survivor Rehabilitation and Life Management

Stroke remains a leading cause of disability among older adults, frequently resulting in upper-limb paresis that severely limits independence. Current rehabilitation pathways rely on episodic and subjective assessments, which lack the continuous data necessary for truly personalized care. To address this unmet need, Lumid Health is developing a "Hardware-as-a-Service" platform centered on a smart wristband and an AI-driven smartphone application. Utilizing provisionally patented algorithms, the system generates clinically relevant digital biomarkers to provide objective, real-world insights into a survivor's motor recovery and daily behaviors. By positioning itself as a data-driven service company, Lumid Health aims to bridge the gap between clinical intuition and data science, offering tailored behavioral recommendations that support both clinicians and patients throughout the recovery journey.

Specific objectives of the NSF-ART STRP project are:

• Refine Commercial-Grade Infrastructure: Transition the current research-grade prototype into a commercial-grade system by enhancing the wearable hardware, smartphone app, and back-end server architecture;
• Execute Pilot Deployment: Conduct a pilot study to collect large-scale, real-world datasets from stroke survivors to train and validate robust AI models;
• Secure Intellectual Property: Refine existing digital biomarkers and file a non-provisional patent within the next 12 months to solidify the company's competitive edge;
• Formalize Start-up Operations: Utilize campus and mentor resources to finalize the business model and initiate the formal formation of the start-up entity.

Empowering oncology care through chemosensory education  

Taste and smell changes affect up to 80% of cancer patients, contributing to decreased appetite, weight loss, malnutrition, and reduced treatment efficacy. Despite their prevalence and impact, oncology care teams rarely receive formal training on taste and smell. Existing clinical protocols primarily focus on nutrition and caloric intake, overlooking the underlying chemosensory disruptions that drive poor dietary adherence and a diminished quality of life. To address this critical gap, FlavorED is developing an innovative, accredited continuing education program that equips oncology professionals with the knowledge and tools to recognize, assess, and manage sensory-related symptoms in cancer care. The program will enhance provider understanding of chemosensory physiology, improve patient-provider communication about taste and smell changes, and promote strategies to support adequate nutrition and quality of life during treatment.

Specific objectives of the NSF-ART STRP project are:

• Utilize university innovation and education resources to develop a scalable, accredited continuing education platform for healthcare professionals;
• Identify key learning needs and evidence gaps among oncology providers to inform module design and delivery;
• Establish partnerships with oncology clinics, dietetic associations, and professional training organizations to explore licensing opportunities;
• Collaborate with a digital education partner to produce, pilot, and assess interactive modules.

VYRE: Continuous Blood Pressure Monitoring for Cardiovascular Health

VYRE is a wearable health technology developed by a UMass team that enables continuous, cuff-less blood pressure monitoring using a compact device. Current blood pressure measurements rely on intermittent, bulky cuffs that fail to capture daily variability and miss early warning signs of cardiovascular risk. VYRE addresses this gap by combining novel sensing hardware, low-power embedded systems, and signal processing algorithms to provide frequent, comfortable blood pressure measurements during daily activities. This approach has the potential to improve hypertension management, support longitudinal cardiovascular monitoring, and enable scalable deployment in clinical and real-world settings.

With support from this translational award, the team is advancing VYRE from a research prototype toward a clinically validated and commercially viable product.

Specific objectives of the NSF-ART STRP project are:

• Refine and validate the VYRE system pipeline for robust, real-world blood pressure measurement in clinical settings;
• Conduct large scale clinical studies to evaluate accuracy, reliability, and usability across diverse users;
• Perform customer discovery and market analysis to define clinical and consumer use cases;
• Develop a clear commercialization and regulatory pathway, including FDA approval and external funding strategies.

Separate Solutions - Next-Generation Membranes for Separating Industrial Waste Streams

Separate Solutions addresses a critical limitation in membrane technology by developing polymer membranes with unprecedented chemical stability and biological fouling resistance for industrial liquid separations. For over 60 years, the membrane industry has relied on the same chemical formulations to manufacture membranes that unfortunately, can degrade when exposed to chlorinated cleaning compounds like bleach and non-polar organic solvents. This degradation severely limits membrane lifetime and applications in petroleum, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, and wastewater treatment industries. Separate Solutions' breakthrough technology eliminates toxic solvents from the membrane manufacturing process while maintaining compatibility with existing industrial processes. The resulting membranes demonstrate exceptional chemical stability and excellent fouling resistance, enabling previously inaccessible applications in solvent-resistant filtration for pharmaceutical and chemical processing industries.

Specific objectives of the NSF-ART STRP project are:

• Conduct market research and customer discovery to refine product-market fit;
• Advance membrane development and validate performance;
• Establish industrial partnerships, secure additional funding to support the technology, and explore licensing opportunities.

Project: Novel Nanomaterials as Nano-fertilizers and Stress Protectants for Enhanced Crop Productivity

Co-PI: Yogita Singh

Modern agriculture faces significant challenges in meeting the growing global demand for sufficient, nutrient-rich, and safe food, particularly in the context of escalating climate change. This project aims to develop and demonstrate the application of non-toxic nanomaterials coated with essential micronutrients as safer nano-fertilizers to enhance crop and vegetable productivity and climate resilience, while minimizing the accumulation of toxic metals in edible tissues and seeds. The proposed seed-priming technology with these novel nanomaterials offers a cost-effective, scalable, and farmer-friendly solution with substantial economic, environmental, nutritional, and societal benefits.

Archon - Transforming Steel Bridge Repair Through Field-Deployable Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing

Steel bridges across the United States suffer from widespread corrosion and section loss, leading to reduced load capacity, costly maintenance, and frequent traffic disruptions. Conventional repair methods often require extensive demolition, welding, or member replacement, resulting in long closures and high lifecycle costs. To address this challenge, our team is developing a field-deployable cold spray additive manufacturing technology that enables rapid, on-site restoration of corroded steel components without thermal damage or prolonged service interruption.

Cold spray repair deposits metal in the solid state, allowing precise material placement and compatibility with existing steel substrates. The technology was recently demonstrated in a first-of-its-kind field repair of a steel bridge in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, validating feasibility under real infrastructure conditions. By integrating 3D scanning, digital repair design, and mobile cold spray deployment, this approach enables data-driven, minimally invasive structural repairs. The proposed effort will advance this technology toward commercialization through startup formation and pilot deployment with transportation agencies.

Specific objectives of the NSF-ART STRP project are:

• Validate the structural performance, bond integrity, and durability of field-applied cold spray repairs through laboratory testing of recovered bridge components;
• Integrate 3D scanning and corrosion mapping with repair design to optimize material placement and minimize deposited volume while maximizing capacity restoration;
• Develop and refine a mobile, field-ready cold spray repair platform suitable for deployment on active transportation infrastructure;
• Engage state transportation agencies and industry partners to identify pilot projects and align the technology with regulatory and procurement requirements; and
• Advance startup formation by defining the commercialization strategy, value proposition, and pathways for early adoption and external funding, while laying the foundation for future integration of sensing, automation, and data-driven decision-making toward intelligent infrastructure repair systems.

Biomechanically Engineered Footwear for Knee Pain Reduction

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) affects approximately 37% of adults over the age of 60 and is a leading cause of pain and disability in this population. The prevalence of OA continues to rise due to increasing obesity rates and aging demographics. Current non-surgical treatment options for OA-related knee pain, including anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy, offer limited relief. High knee joint forces contribute to both joint deterioration and OA-related pain. Broga has developed a novel, bioinspired lattice structure that can be 3D printed to fabricate customizable, variable-stiffness shoe soles. These soles are designed to promote favorable foot positioning and motion during gait to reduce knee joint forces. Gait laboratory data demonstrate that first-generation prototypes incorporating a lateral-to-medial stiffness gradient—highest stiffness laterally—can measurably reduce knee joint forces in human subjects. This innovative footwear-based approach offers a scalable, non-invasive, and cost-effective solution for managing knee OA pain.

Specific objectives of the project are:

• Optimize variable-stiffness shoe sole designs to maximize reduction in knee joint forces during walking
• Validate the biomechanical efficacy of optimized prototypes using controlled gait analysis
• Evaluate effectiveness in reducing knee pain and improving function in individuals with knee osteoarthritis

Project title: Enhance live births outcomes in individuals undergoing assisted reproductive technologies (ART)

Infertility and subfertility are critical health problems affecting about 11% of women and 9% of men of childbearing age in the United States alone. Since the first successful “Test-Tube” baby in 1978, over 10 million babies have been born using Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). ART includes such techniques as in vitro fertilization (IVF), intrauterine insemination (IUI), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and embryo transfer techniques. ART is used in humans, and in animals of economic relevance. While ART has provided new avenues for treating infertility, its efficacy—especially in achieving live births—remains limited. The limiting factor for successful pregnancies to occur is obtaining good quality preimplantation embryos which have a direct influence on implantation and pregnancy rates. Our approach focuses on a novel sperm treatment designed to enhance sperm functionality and epigenetic integrity, with the goal to improve live birth outcomes in human ART. For that purpose, we developed a method called: “Sperm Energy Restriction and Recovery (SER)”—which mimics the natural selective pressures of the female reproductive tract. The general translational objective of our group is to generate new ART technology to improve the outcome of IVF, ICSI and IUI in humans. Our product has the potential to replace current standard media and to revolutionize ART practices worldwide.  

The specific objectives of this award are:

• Demonstrate safety, feasibility, and efficacy in human sperm samples.
• Establish clinical-grade formulation and standard operation procedure (SOP) for SER.
• Develop and validate standard operating procedures for IVF laboratory integration.
• Obtain early regulatory guidance to strategically go a premarket notification 510(k) pathway.
• Prepare and file updated intellectual property protections. Cover composition, clinical use, and commercial formulation of SER for human use.
• Advance spinout strategy, including team formation and investor engagement. Formalize licensing, structure the entity, and complete go-to-market plan.
• Engage early investors and strategic IVF partners for clinical testing and scale-up.

StretchSeam™ - Solvent-Free Adhesives for Soft and Stretchable Materials

StretchSeam™ is a solvent-free, UV-curable adhesive designed to create strong, flexible, and durable bonds in soft materials such as foams, fabrics, and elastomers. Traditional adhesives used in footwear and soft-goods manufacturing often rely on solvent-based chemistries that require long curing times and emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs). StretchSeam™ provides a safer and more sustainable alternative, curing in under 30 seconds while maintaining the mechanical flexibility of the original bonded materials. The Translational Seed Award supports the development of prototype devices, constructed with materials and processing constraints provided by potential industry customers, as well as characterization using customer-specified standards. By enabling efficient, solvent-free bonding of soft multilayer materials, StretchSeam™ has the potential to improve safety, sustainability and manufacturing efficiency across multiple industries.

Specific Objectives:

• Design prototype devices, in light of current manufacturing processes, in conjunction with potential industry customers.
• Characterize base materials and optimize the StretchSeam™ formulation for processing and adhesion to the specific substrates.
• Demonstrate adhesive performance and prototype fabrication for partner evaluation.
• Deliver a final report outlining technology readiness and next-phase plans.

Decentralized Energy Islands: Optimizing Resources for High Density Residential Buildings

As part of a larger research project that investigates holistic adaptations of existing high-density residential buildings, this one-year investigation focuses on the UMass Amherst Campus, where high density dormitories, can be reconfigured to improve their livability, reduce their environmental footprint and their operating costs, and increase their value.  These buildings must be kept in continuous use to maintain the size of the student body. Quality and availability of campus housing is often a factor in students choosing to attend an institution. Universities are under pressure to reduce their energy and water usage and costs. The Decentralized Energy Islands approach envisions scenarios where owners/operators and residents of high-density housing plan to bring the existing residential buildings to the 21st century standards by making changes to the built environment, including transforming communal spaces and the open and public grounds of these projects, as well as making them more energy efficient through the integrating renewable energy sources, and improving the management of their wastewater. We aim to create a pilot program for improving energy utilization as well as enhancing the sense of comfort and well-being within high density residential buildings on the campus of UMass Amherst. Through such in-place adaptations, we envision creating a generalizable blueprint for a toolkit that owners/operators and residents of high-density residential properties can use to bring the operation and livability of existing residential buildings into the 21st century standards. The Toolkit will provide data and strategies that will help facilitate the optimization of resources for high density residential buildings. Our goal is to understand the ways in which renewable energy and wastewater management can be improved, while considering possible scenarios for re-design of their communal spaces with the goal of extending the results, beyond the one-year period of this project, through precedent studies, to on campus and off campus projects.