2026 MTRAC AgBio Awardees
Impact on the Horizon: The Next Wave of MSU Innovation
Some of tomorrow’s most promising technologies are taking shape today inside Michigan’s research universities. At Michigan State University, translational funding helps move those discoveries from early scientific promise toward practical use, commercial opportunity, and public impact.
Supported by the Michigan Strategic Fund and administered by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), programs such as the MTRAC AgBio and the Advance Innovation Hubs provide critical resources at a pivotal stage in the innovation process. This funding helps researchers validate ideas, reduce technical risk, build prototypes, test market potential, and generate the evidence needed to attract partners, investors, licensees, or startup support.
That bridge between discovery and deployment is vital. Many university innovations are too applied for traditional basic research grants but still too early for private investment. Translational funding closes that gap, allowing strong ideas to mature into solutions that can improve health, strengthen agriculture, support advanced manufacturing, protect natural resources, and create new economic opportunities for Michigan.
The $1,687,919 in translational funding awards highlighted in this section represent real impact on Michigan’s innovation horizon. These awardees are building the foundation for tomorrow’s world-changing technologies and together illustrate how strategic investment in translational research keeps MSU’s innovation pipeline moving from possibility to real-world progress.
2026 MTRAC AgBio Full Grant Awards
EdgeForestry: Two-Tiered Forest Health Monitoring System Dr. Rahat Ibn Rafiq, Grand Valley State University, $147,700
Forests face growing threats from invasive insects and disease, but the tools used to monitor them are often reactive, labor-intensive, and too costly to scale. EdgeForestry combines satellite-based remote sensing with UAV and edge-AI analysis to create a two-tier monitoring system: one layer identifies large-scale forest stress and potential hotspots, while the second delivers targeted, species-specific diagnosis in the highest-risk areas. By helping land managers focus limited time and treatment resources where they can have the greatest impact, the platform could make early detection more practical, frequent, and affordable across large, forested landscapes.
Wearable Sensing System for Uterine Contractions in Cattle Dr. Hanne Hoffmann, Michigan State University, $150,000
Safe, timely calving is critical to herd health and farm productivity, yet producers still lack affordable tools to continuously and noninvasively monitor uterine contractions in cattle. This project focuses on development of a wireless sensing system that combines a flexible skin-strain patch, a compact reader, and a mobile interface to detect contraction patterns in real time and alert livestock management teams to labor onset or potential complications such as dystocia. If successful, the technology could reduce labor-intensive monitoring, support earlier intervention, and improve outcomes for both animals and producers.
Carbon Dioxide Laser Welding to Manufacture Transparent Microfluidic Devices Dr. Brian Johnson, Michigan State University, $150,000
As regulators and researchers push for more human-relevant alternatives to animal testing, demand is rising for microfluidic devices that can support advanced in vitro models. Dr. Johnson’s team has developed a CO₂ laser-welding method that rapidly bonds clear, biocompatible thermoplastics without solvents or adhesives, producing leak-free devices in a standard microplate format. The approach could reduce cost and fabrication time, improve reproducibility, and expand access to the organ-on-chip and microphysiological systems used in drug discovery, toxicology tests, and disease modeling.
ACESS: A Low-Cost Adaptive Carbon-Fiber Electrochemical Platform for Field Monitoring of Heavy Metals Dr. Wen Li, Michigan State University, $90,000
Heavy metal contamination in water, soil, and food remains difficult to monitor in real time because conventional testing is expensive, slow, and often confined to centralized labs. Dr. Li’s ACESS platform is designed as a portable, low-cost electrochemical sensing system that uses a carbon-fiber electrode, wireless potentiostat, automated fluidics, and smartphone-based reporting to detect multiple priority metals in the field. By giving users faster, more sensitive on-site screening, the technology could support stronger environmental monitoring, food safety, and agricultural decision-making.
BreakerWise: AI-Driven Power and Energy Management with Built-In Breaker-Level Safety and Asset Protection Dr. Mohammed Ben-Idris, Michigan State University, $150,000
Traditional breakers can interrupt power during a fault, but they offer little insight into what caused the disruption or whether power can be safely restored. BreakerWise adds intelligence at the panel through AI-driven monitoring, fault analysis, and circuit-health assessment, with the long-term goal of enabling safe remote restoration and better management of critical electrical loads. For farms, barns, and production facilities, the technology could help reduce downtime, detect deteriorating equipment earlier, and improve both safety and operational resilience.
2026 MTRAC Starter Grant Awards
De-risking of a Non-Toxic Xyloglucan-Based Biological Immune Activator for Crop Protection Dr. Federica Brandizzi, Michigan State University, $45,000
Crop diseases continue to threaten agricultural productivity, but many disease-control strategies suppress growth along with infection. This project is advancing a plant-derived crop protection technology based on xyloglucan (XyG), a naturally occurring cell wall component that stimulates plant immune defenses without directly killing pathogens. Early studies showed substantial reductions in bacterial disease while avoiding visible toxicity or yield penalties. The team will optimize spray-based application, validate effectiveness across multiple crop-pathogen systems, and assess compatibility with agricultural practices. If successful, the technology could provide growers with a biodegradable, non-toxic alternative to conventional bactericides and antibiotics.
A Low-Cost Battery-Free Wireless Sensor for Continuous Monitoring of Canine Cardiac Function Dr. Chunqi Qian, Michigan State University, $55,000
Cardiac disorders are common in certain popular breeds of dogs and can shorten duration and quality of life for these breeds. Many canine heart rhythm disorders are difficult to detect because existing monitoring systems rely on bulky recorders, wired electrodes, and delayed data review. This project is developing WISDEM, a lightweight battery-free wireless ECG patch designed specifically for dogs. The device combines wireless power delivery with real-time signal transmission, enabling continuous cardiac monitoring in both clinics and home environments. The team will refine the wearable design, validate signal quality and reliability, and conduct pilot studies in client-owned dogs. The technology could improve diagnostic accuracy, reduce monitoring costs, and enable earlier intervention for potentially serious cardiac conditions.
Enhancing MSU Potato Variety MS474-1 with Cold Storage Protection Dr. David Douches, Michigan State University, $55,000
Potatoes are one of the largest volume specialty crops grown in the U.S. with Many uses in fresh and processed foods. Cold storage is essential for maintaining year-round potato supplies, especially for potato chips. Low temperatures, however, can trigger sugar accumulation that produces dark, unmarketable potato chips. This project is applying proven RNA interference technology to the MSU-developed potato variety MS474-1, enabling resistance to cold-induced sweetening while preserving its valuable disease-resistance traits and processing quality. The team has already developed promising candidate lines and will conduct advanced molecular characterization to identify the best commercialization candidate. By extending storage life and improving chip quality, the technology could reduce production costs, increase processing flexibility, and strengthen Michigan’s leadership in potato production.
Commercial Validation of a Durable, Bee-Compatible Hive Foundation Material Dr. Mason McNair, Michigan State University, $45,000
Modern beekeeping relies on plastic hive foundations coated with beeswax, but wax can introduce contaminants, increase costs, and limit reuse. This project is validating a novel unwaxed plastic hive foundation that has already demonstrated strong acceptance by honey bee colonies. Multi-state field trials will evaluate performance across diverse climates and management systems, while economic analyses will assess manufacturing and adoption potential. The team will also test durability through reuse studies and leverage an AI-powered image-analysis platform to evaluate colony activity. The technology holds promise for reducing labor, contamination risks, and other costs while improving sustainability in commercial beekeeping.
Thermal Convection to Induce Fluid Flow in High-Throughput Microphysiological Systems Dr. Brian Johnson, Michigan State University, $55,000
Maintaining controlled fluid flow is critical for microfluidic devices, cell culture systems, and biological research, yet conventional pumps and mixers add cost, complexity, and contamination risk. This project is advancing a contactless flow technology that uses carefully controlled temperature gradients to generate convection currents in biological media. The approach can drive fluid circulation in microfluidic arrays and keep cells suspended without mechanical agitation. Planned studies will assess biocompatibility, validate performance in cell-based assays, and explore commercial applications through customer discovery. The technology could simplify laboratory workflows while improving reproducibility, sterility, and scalability.
Cationic Coagulant from Plants to Recover and Manage Phosphate in Agricultural Soil and Fisheries Dr. Priyanka Sharma, Western Michigan University, $52,667
Excess phosphate in wastewater contributes to harmful algal blooms and environmental degradation. Current treatment chemicals can be corrosive and difficult to manage. This project focuses on developing a biodegradable plant-based coagulant that captures phosphate from wastewater and allows it to be reused as a fertilizer supplement. The material combines coagulant and flocculant properties in a single product, enabling rapid separation and recovery of crucial nutrients. Testing across fisheries, wineries, municipal systems, and industrial wastewater streams will evaluate performance and commercialization potential. The technology could support cleaner water, nutrient recovery, and more sustainable water treatment and agricultural practices.
Synthetic Carbohydrate-Based Broad-Spectrum Anti-Salmonella Vaccines for Swine Dr. Xuefei Huang, Michigan State University, $55,000
Salmonella infections in swine create substantial economic losses for producers and increase risks to human health through the food supply. This project involves the development of a synthetic carbohydrate-based vaccine designed to protect against multiple major Salmonella strains with a single formulation. Built on a proprietary bacteriophage-derived vaccine platform, the technology has already demonstrated strong immune responses and broad protection in animal studies. The proposed work will evaluate vaccine performance in pigs and measure the effectiveness of resulting immune responses. If successful, the vaccine could reduce antibiotic use, improve herd health, and strengthen food safety across the pork industry.
Cost-Effective Manufacturing of Low-E Coatings on Flexible Plastic Films Dr. Qi Hua Fan, Michigan State University, $45,000
Greenhouse operators lose significant energy through conventional plastic coverings, but low-emissivity (low-E) coatings remain too expensive for widespread adoption on flexible films. This project is advancing a novel beam-plasma deposition technology capable of producing high-quality low-E coatings at room temperature and at rates substantially faster than conventional manufacturing methods. The coatings are designed to transmit visible light while reflecting infrared radiation, reducing heating and cooling demands. By lowering production costs and material usage, the technology could accelerate deployment in greenhouses, window films, and energy-efficiency applications while creating new opportunities for advanced coating equipment.
PipeCrawler: Worm Robot for Inspecting Agricultural Drainage Systems Dr. Xiaobo Tan, Michigan State University, $45,000
Millions of acres of U.S. cropland rely on underground drainage pipes, yet inspecting and mapping these systems remains labor-intensive, expensive, and often destructive. In this project, the research team developing an earthworm-inspired robotic crawler capable of navigating small corrugated drainage pipes while collecting inspection data and mapping infrastructure. The robot exploits pipe geometry for efficient movement and built-in localization, overcoming challenges that limit existing pipeline inspection technologies. The team will improve locomotion speed, upgrade onboard sensing capabilities, and demonstrate field performance with agricultural stakeholders. If successful, the technology may significantly reduce inspection costs while helping farmers and land managers better manage critical drainage infrastructure.
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