The 12 students were grouped with Ashesi peers to work across different components of the project. One group focused on developing bioethical policies, ensuring the innovation would be safe and socially responsible beyond the lab. They considered questions such as how the bacteria would behave in real-world settings, how to communicate potential risks, and how to responsibly educate users about the product.

Emily Dang, a University of Waterloo student, found this aspect of the project particularly enlightening.
“I learnt to communicate with my team across our varied backgrounds and see things through each other’s lenses. It made my experience more fulfilling. With policy development and any collaborative work, multiple perspectives aren’t just helpful; they’re essential,” she said.

Another group of students addressed the environmental crisis of plastic pollution. They designed an educational campaign with informative, visually engaging posters that communicated the dangers of microplastics to both land and marine ecosystems. The aim was to raise awareness across campus and beyond, encouraging collective responsibility and behavior change.

The entrepreneurship team took on the challenge of commercializing the bio-cement innovation. They developed two business models: one focused on launching the Pentacones, and the other on patenting and licensing the bio-simulation process. To ensure success, they conducted a comprehensive SWOT analysis, comparing their product with existing solutions and identifying gaps and opportunities for growth.

Meanwhile, the Wiki team played a storytelling role, capturing and communicating the innovation’s journey. They began by building a brand identity for the project and designing a visually appealing, informative prototype website using Figma. Their documentation aimed to reflect the purpose, process, and vision behind the innovation, setting the stage for future outreach and engagement.

For the Lab team, the period was spent refining the bio-cement production process and testing for bacteria essential to its formation. They explored various drying methods and eventually found that a slower, gradual approach produced a stronger, more durable outcome. Jordan Wilton, one of the visiting students, described the opportunity to contribute to the iGEM team’s innovation as both challenging and enriching.

The faculty member who supervised the collaboration also highlighted how enriching the exchange was for both groups of students.

“Seeing the Waterloo students work alongside Ashesi’s iGEM team was truly inspiring,” shared Dr. Elena Rosca, Head of Ashesi’s Engineering Department. “They asked detailed, thought-provoking questions that pushed our students to explain their project with greater clarity and confidence. Beyond that, their fresh perspectives and technical input on the bio-cement process, such as testing new temperature and timing protocols, added real value to the collaboration. It became a space where both sides were learning from each other in significant ways.”