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Virginia Tech and international team win global XPRIZE challenge

“Ok, so it was TOTALLY worth it.” The above came via text from Virginia Tech biologist Julie Allen from the G20 Social Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, just minutes after learning that her team earned the grand prize for XPRIZE Rainforest. Allen's team received $5 million for its ability to autonomously survey 100 hectares of tropical rainforest in 24 hours and produce the most impactful real-time insights within 48 hours.

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“Ok, so it was TOTALLY worth it.” The above came via text from Virginia Tech biologist Julie Allen from the G20 Social Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, just minutes after learning that her team earned the grand prize for XPRIZE Rainforest. Allen's team received $5 million for its ability to autonomously survey 100 hectares of tropical rainforest in 24 hours and produce the most impactful real-time insights within 48 hours.

allen_lab_X_prize

The Department of Biological Sciences is at the center of life sciences research and teaching at Virginia Tech. 
Our mission is to seamlessly integrate world-class research addressing the grand challenges of the 21st century,
from global change to human disease, by preparing the next generation of scientists.