A high-tech epoxy, an industrial seed coating and hair products -– all containing soy — are among the winners in this year’s Project SOY (Soybean Opportunities for Youth) competition.

The 19th annual event held last week in Guelph showcased eight projects from a total of 18 University of Guelph students from the main campus and Alfred and Ridgetown campuses.

Project SOY cash prizes are awarded for diploma, undergraduate and graduate projects. First place in each category wins $2,500, second place receives $1,000 and third place is awarded $500.

In the diploma category, first place was won by Isabelle Groulx for Nutrichoc’O soy.

Topping the undergraduate category was Sojabond, an epoxy for high-tech applications designed by Michael Biancaniello, Kyle Bradfield, Shujath Khan and Aalaa Osman.

In the graduate category, Oscar Valerio and Rajendran Muthuraj won first prize for Soybag, a soy-based shopping bag.

Other entries this year included fire logs, hair products and a soy-based seed coating.

Project SOY is sponsored by DEKALB Brand Seeds, SOY20/20, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Grain Farmers of Ontario, and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

Contact:
Owen Roberts, Director, Research Communications, 519 824-4120, Ext. 58278, owen@uoguelph.ca
Bethany Atkinson, student coordinator, 519 824-4120, Ext. 52667, soybeans@uoguelph.ca