Big News: The 2026 CIC Graduate Winners Have Been Announced

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, was filled with excitement Oct. 14-15 as Finalists presented their inventions at the 2026 Collegiate Inventors Competition^® (CIC).

Since 1990, CIC has provided the nation’s most innovative college students with opportunities to present their cutting-edge work to Judges including National Inventors Hall of Fame^® Inductees and USPTO officials. CIC Finalists gain valuable feedback and advice while they compete for cash prizes and patent acceleration, fueling their progress on their innovative journeys.

Congratulations to Our 2026 CIC Graduate Winners: ClearView-Jaw

Representing the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, our Graduate Winners are William McKay, Zachary Spears and Amogh Vellore, the inventors of ClearView-Jaw! They received a cash prize of $10,000 and a USPTO Patent Acceleration Certificate.

This team’s invention could improve outcomes for head and neck cancer patients. These patients often need mandibular reconstruction after jaw tumor removal, followed by high-dose radiation. The titanium plates used to secure the reconstructed jaw can distort radiation, shielding tumor cells and scattering the radiation into healing tissue, with about 60% of patients developing a complication within five years. The ClearView-Jaw device reduces harmful backscatter and shadowing while helping clinicians target tumors more precisely, lowering complications and improving patient outcomes.

“CIC felt like a natural place to grow,” said McKay. “The competition offers a chance to build upon my skills, learn from other inventors and mentors, and see our work through fresh eyes.”

“I hope that our invention allows patients with head and neck cancer to experience less pain post-operatively, while also allowing them to recover without having to repeatedly go through recurring cycles of pain because of an issue with their plate,” Vellore said. “I believe that it has the opportunity to make a really big impact on the quality of life for patients with head and neck cancer.”

Spears added, “I am most proud that I got to build this alongside two of my best friends. We have poured countless hours into getting where we are today.”

Congratulations to Our 2026 CIC Graduate Runners-Up: BioAxis

Representing New York University, our Graduate Runners-Up are Rayan Bargouth and Asser El Ashwah, the inventors behind BioAxis! They received a $5,000 cash prize to advance their innovative journey.

This team’s invention supports rotator cuff healing. Partial-thickness rotator cuff tears affect about 3 million Americans annually. Standard care includes rest, rehabilitation and pain management but does not repair structural damage. Many untreated tears progress to full-thickness rupture. Developed by Vitalis Regenerative Materials Inc., BioAxis is a single-use, point-of-care medical device that combines a patient’s platelet-rich plasma with a prefilled bioresorbable polymer to form a tissue-adherent hydrogel. This closed sterile system combines scaffold reconstitution, controlled platelet activation, and injectable hydrogel delivery to support tendon preservation and repair for patients who don’t meet the threshold for full surgical repair.

“Our goal is to help prevent partial tears from progressing into full-thickness tears, potentially reducing the need for more invasive procedures, lengthy rehabilitation, and time away from work or sport,” Bargouth said. “On a personal level, I hope the technology can eventually give patients and athletes options that I did not have when I experienced a serious injury at a young age.”

“What initially drew me to the Collegiate Inventors Competition was that it was truly centered on invention,” said El Ashwah. “There are many competitions for start-ups, research or engineering projects, but CIC felt different because it celebrates the process of inventing itself, and gives young inventors an opportunity to share something they have spent years thinking about, building, questioning and refining. I was excited by the chance not only to present our own work, but also to receive feedback from people who understand invention and to meet other students who have gone through that same process of turning an idea into something real. There are very few environments where young inventors are brought together specifically because of that shared instinct to ask, ‘What if this existed?’ CIC offered a glimpse into that larger community of invention, and that was incredibly motivating to me.”

Congratulations to Our 2026 CIC People’s Choice Award Winners: NeuTrode

Representing the University of South Florida, Bridget Clift, Cristina Ramirez-Vargas and Addison Whitehead — the team behind NeuTrode — took home this year’s People’s Choice Award! Determined by nationwide public voting, this award earned Team NeuTrode a $2,000 prize.

This team’s invention is designed to support better neurological care. Electroencephalography (EEG) helps diagnose and monitor neurological conditions such as epilepsy, sleep disorders and brain injuries. Current EEG technologies consist of wet, semi-dry and dry electrodes, but each presents significant limitations. Providing an innovative alternative, NeuTrode is a flexible EEG electrode designed to maintain consistent scalp contact without the use of gels or liquids. Its soft, comfortable design adapts to different hair densities, skin conditions and head shapes, and it enables faster setup, improved patient comfort and steady, reliable signal acquisition.

“I hope NeuTrode will replace current EEG electrodes not only in research but in the clinic,” said Whitehead. “Patients and clinicians deserve an easy-to-use and clean electrode to accurately take EEG readings.”

“Our professor introduced us to the Collegiate Inventors Competition and encouraged us to apply,” explained Ramirez-Vargas. “After learning more about the competition, we recognized it as an excellent opportunity to connect with other student innovators, industry professionals and experienced inventors. In addition to the networking and learning opportunities, the competition aligns with our goal of advancing NeuTrode toward commercialization. As we continue working toward securing a full patent, the exposure, mentorship and resources provided through the competition could help accelerate that process.”

Clift added, “I hope that this will inspire young people to realize that not every invention that changes people's lives is big and bold. Sometimes, it's as tiny as a little electrode.”

Who Are Our 2026 CIC Undergraduate Winners?

To find out who won our Undergraduate competition, check out our blog. You can learn more about CIC when you explore more of our website.