In the previous two competitions, the Purdue agBOT team has placed second. This year, as part of the Giant Leaps in Artificial Intelligence, they brought home the trophy!

Anthony Hearst, who recently earned his doctoral degree in agricultural and biological engineering at Purdue, is a co-founder of Progeny Drone.

“One of my best friends died from a cancer caused by a genetic variant several years ago,” said Kok Zhi Lee, a doctoral student who works on the research team in Solomon’s lab. “I always dreamed of a different scenario for my friend – living in an era where genetic engineering is a regular and safe option to correct genetic disorders. With the potential of our technology, I anticipate a future where genetic disease is history for human beings.”

"I was a person who thought I had to have a direct impact on society. Through my studies, I realized that the research that goes on behind those things is also important."