UMD iGEM Team Wins Gold Medal at 2024 Paris iGEM Jamboree for CerviCareProjectUMaryland iGEM, the University of Maryland’s International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) team, earned a Gold Medal at the 2024 International iGEM Jamboree in Paris this October. Housed in the Fischell Department of Bioengineering but staffed by students across disciplines, the team’s award-winning project, CerviCare, focuses on creating accessible cervical precancer screening using paper kit-based, cell-free RNA devices. The goal is to address health inequities, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where traditional screening is often inaccessible or exorbitantly expensive.
UMaryland iGEM was inspired to create CerviCare to address the global need for innovative, cost-effective screening tools. The team recognized that cervical cancer remains a leading cause of death for the lower-income population. “90% of cervical cancer deaths actually occur in those lower middle income countries where screening and diagnostic access isn't available, or only available in very low quantities,” says iGEM team member Navya Bansal, sophomore bioengineering major. Designing CerviCare came with several challenges, including ensuring the test was stable and easy to use in non-laboratory settings. The team prioritized creating a tool that would be both affordable and scientifically reliable. This required balancing technical accuracy with practical functionality to meet the demands of users in diverse environments. The UMD iGEM team’s interdisciplinary structure supported the project’s development, bringing together students from various disciplines while collaborating with groups like the First-Year Innovation & Research Experience (FIRE) program. To move the project forward, the team had to combine technical expertise with soft skills like community engagement and fundraising efforts, overcoming challenges at every stage of the process. The team's work was supported by UMD's various departments and advisors, including Assistant Professor Jenna Mueller and Professor and Associate Chair and Director of Undergraduate Studies Ian White and Associate Professor Edward Eisenstein, who provided feedback throughout the development process. “Collaboration was the backbone of our success,” iGEM team member Mia Jocic, junior bioengineering major, highlighted, noting that partnerships with the university's FIRE Lab and other research groups allowed the project to progress from initial concept to competition-ready prototype. The team also reached out to the broader community through surveys and fundraising campaigns, which helped gather essential feedback and secure resources. “It was a very unique opportunity in which I got to speak to a variety of people from clinicians, high school to undergraduate students, and even officials from organizations like the FDA,” says Bansal. Being a part of the UMD iGEM team offered students unique learning opportunities that extended beyond technical research. Members gained firsthand experience in project management, strategic communication, and stakeholder engagement. The process of building CerviCare required extensive conversations with healthcare professionals and potential users, enabling the team to refine their approach and better understand the real-world application of their work. “Talking to people is the only way to be heard and make meaningful changes,” says Jocic. This experience has influenced many team members’ career aspirations, equipping them with the soft skills needed for success in biotech and broader fields. “We learned to advocate for our ideas, develop new strategies, and work collaboratively—these are lessons that will stay with us as we pursue future endeavors,” says Navya. Following this success, the UMD iGEM team plans to continue building on their momentum, furthering Maryland on the global stage. At home, they aim to expand community outreach and develop educational programs to inspire younger students’ interest in biotech, research, and entrepreneurship. The team also hopes to recruit new members who are eager to explore both the technical and community-centered aspects of research.
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