Students turn research into award-winning ventures

Alisher Talgatov and Broderick Nelson, College of Science doctoral students at The University of Texas at Arlington, earned top awards for converting their scientific discoveries into product concepts in UT Arlington’s annual entrepreneurial competition.

The chemistry students both won cash prizes in the two-phase final round of the 2025 Maverick Business Pitch Competition, known as “MavPitch.” The program gives students the opportunity to develop and present new venture ideas.

Sherri McFarland, professor of chemistry and biochemistry, is a faculty mentor for both students. She said their projects showcased creativity and real-world impact.

“Winning at MavPitch is no small feat—the competition is designed to be challenging, with multiple rounds and tough judging panels,” Dr. McFarland said. “Only the most innovative and well-developed ideas rise to the top.”

Talgatov won $13,000 for his entry, a device he calls LumaPatch, designed to help heal chronic wounds in elderly patients. He described it as a next-generation Band-Aid that speeds healing and kills bacteria with photodynamic inactivation, a light-activated method that destroys harmful microbes.

“I was honestly overwhelmed with excitement and gratitude,” Talgatov said. “It felt incredible to see all the hard work—from late nights refining the pitch to the hours spent developing the idea—pay off in such a big way. More than the funding, it was the validation from the judges and mentors that really motivated me. It gave me the confidence to believe that our idea has real potential, and it made me even more determined to push it forward.”

Nelson won $3,500 for his entry, a research startup company called Loyalty Technologies that converts agricultural waste into multifunctional carbon materials that can then be used for applications ranging from wastewater treatment to energy storage in batteries. He partnered with Joseph Wright, a civil engineer from Virginia who he met as an undergraduate.

“It was validating to see our vision recognized, and it motivates me to keep pushing forward with this work,” Nelson said. “The competition also gave me confidence that there is strong interest in sustainable materials and their impact across different industries.”

Both projects show that UTA students can transform fundamental research into beneficial solutions, McFarland said.

“This highlights the culture we’re building at UTA—where students are encouraged not only to do excellent science, but also to think entrepreneurially, develop product concepts and communicate their ideas to broad audiences,” McFarland said.

MavPitch participants begin with a three-minute video pitch. Selected entries then advance to the Phase I finals, where they give an in-person presentation similar to the TV show “Shark Tank.” The strongest projects advance, and those students receive mentoring, coaching and access to other resources before participating in the Phase II grand finale, also a live event that includes a six-minute pitch and Q&A session.

About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)

Celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2025, The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With a student body of over 42,700, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation’s top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 280,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.