As High Tech West nears, AM&E Lab teams are collaboratively refining their projects behind the scenes ahead of the competition.
By Amanda Ashley, Director of Communications, Office of the Vice President for Research
High Tech West is a month out, and the AM&E Lab is deep into preparations with nearly three dozen teams that will be pitching innovative research projects this year. The event spans two days:
- Day 1, February 25th: 14 teams focused on advancements in medical technology
- Day 2, February 26th : 11 teams focused on solutions supporting aerospace, engineering, and national security
Across both days, 26 judges will be evaluating the teams as they compete for $1 million in funding.
What makes this period leading up to the event especially interesting is what’s happening inside the AM&E Lab. As Jim McDonough works with the teams, something natural but important is taking place: the teams aren’t just improving their own projects—they’re helping each other and the university improve as well.
They’re sharing methods, testing ideas, asking hard questions, and offering interdisciplinary support. It’s informal, collaborative, and authentic. And it reflects what real scientific and technical work looks like: progress built through steady effort, honest feedback, and people learning from one another.
Behind every polished pitch in a competition like this are hours of trial and error, redesigns, conversations, and many small steps forward. The next few months will be full of that kind of work—quiet but essential.
When High Tech West arrives, the audience will see the finished pitches and hear from leading researchers contributing to national security and defense related priorities. But inside the AM&E Lab right now, we’re seeing the part of the story that usually goes unnoticed: teams putting in the time, asking for help when they need it, and building and polishing their innovative ideas piece by piece.
It’s an encouraging moment, and it speaks well of the teams, the AM&E Lab and the wider innovation community at the U that supports them.
Jim McDonough
Executive Director, AME Lab
Department of Defense Research
