Physics Graduate Student Beams to Third Place in Inaugural Pitch Competition

Nathan Drouillard, a graduate student in the Department of Physics, GSS Board Member, and one of ten applicants accepted into UWindsor’s inaugural Innovation Fellowship program, competed against other members in the program in a final pitch showcase on August 21—making his proposal in front of business leaders and investors.

The idea? His team is finding ways to use laser technology they’ve developed to measure weak optical signals and apply it to solve real-world problems in industries including healthcare, environmental science, and national defence.

“It was nerve-racking. It was intimidating,” said Drouillard. “Pitching to investors instead of scientists, I was a little worried about what their questions would be…”

Drouillard walked away with the third place prize of $2,500 in additional funding which he says will help buy equipment, expand their lab, and create experiential learning opportunities for other students to help his team move closer to their goal of bringing their ideas to market.