Falling Walls Lab
The Global Interdisciplinary Pitch Competition for Students and Early-Career Professionals
Three minutes is all it takes! Falling Walls Lab is a world-class pitch competition and networking forum that brings together a diverse and interdisciplinary pool of students and early-career professionals by providing a stage for breakthrough ideas both locally and globally. During the 2024 Lab season, we received an incredible amount of interest – 2500 brilliant minds from 104 countries applied to pitch their innovation in just 3 minutes in one of 74 local Lab competitions that took place all over the globe. The winner of each local pitch competition was then invited to pitch again at the exciting global Lab Finale in Berlin at the annual Falling Walls Science Summit. During the Falling Walls Lab Finale in Berlin on 7 November 2024 we saw 100 pitches of the brightest early- and mid-career researchers, each presenting high-impact ideas to address some of the world's most pressing scientific and societal challenges – all on one stage! We couldn't be prouder of these emerging talents, whose vision, passion and commitment inspire us to imagine a brighter, more sustainable future.
SCIENCE BREAKTHROUGH OF THE YEAR
1st PLACE 2024
Constadina Rogers - Breaking the Wall of Plastic Accumulation
Constadina Rogers is tackling the environmental issue of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste from food and beverage packaging. By fusing a bacterial PET-degrading protein with a fungal-derived protein through protein engineering, the project enhances plastic degradation capabilities. This cost-effective and environmentally friendly biological recycling process aims to optimize the efficiency of PET degradation, addressing plastic pollution effectively.
SCIENCE BREAKTHROUGH OF THE YEAR
2nd PLACE 2024
Pewee Kolubah - Breaking the Wall of Accessible Electricity
Pewee Kolubah is addressing global energy and water scarcity issues exacerbated by fossil fuel reliance and population growth. The solution involves bioelectrochemical technology integrated with 2D MXene. This technology harnesses microorganisms' metabolic pathways in wastewater to produce sustainable energy and treat wastewater. Pewee is focusing on designing 2D-MXene-based anodes and cathodes, integrating them into a bioelectrochemical for renewable energy production and simultaneous wastewater treatment
SCIENCE BREAKTHROUGH OF THE YEAR
3rd PLACE 2024
Netanel Loyfer - Breaking the Wall of Cell-free DNA
Netanel Loyfer aims to detect cell death in distant tissues non-invasively by analyzing DNA methylation patterns in circulating cell-free DNA. Using a reference atlas, the tissue origin and quantity of these fragments are identified. This approach helps build an epigenetics platform for precision medicine, enhancing diagnostics through a detailed map of methylation signatures and a deconvolution algorithm for blood sample analysis.
The diversity of nationalities and ideas at the Falling Walls Science Summit reimagines my hope for a global future in AI, medicine, and sustainable energy for all.
Pewee Kolubah, Science Breakthrough of the Year 2nd place, 2024
To see these young innovative thinkers leverage their expertise and learnings, trying to solve big picture problems, is always exciting and inspirational.
Sven Wagner, Head of Business Development at Sartorius, Lab Jury Member
LAB SEASON BEGINS SPRING 2025
Students and early-career professionals of all disciplines are invited to apply to international Falling Walls Labs starting in the Spring of 2025.
To apply, simply browse through the open calls, select the Lab located closest to you, and fill out the application form. We look forward to receiving your application!
Contact us
mail: lab@falling-walls.com
