In the earliest days of COVID-19's impact on the country—and within two days of Auburn University closing before its official move to an online instruction model—two mechanical engineering professors began work to help mitigate predicted local and national ventilator shortages. Over a single weekend in late March, Tom Burch and his former student, Michael Zabala, basically became MacGyvers in Zabala's garage. The pair converted a CPAP machine into a working ventilator, with an easy-to-build device that ultimately passed medical muster in rigorous clinical testing. Dubbed the RE-InVENT, the device quickly went into production, and has been delivered to regional and even international healthcare facilities battling the pandemic. The effort received national news coverage.
Working remotely, I was able to shadow the team of engineers from the RE-InVENT's inception, providing continuing coverage for what was the college's (and the university's) most newsworthy COVID-related initiative.
“Rapid Response” is the culmination of that reporting and access.
From the Judges
This was a fun walk through innovation. Writers and editors did an excellent job of tying together mission with contextual creativity. Well done.
