Chemical engineering professor Paul Scovazzo (third from left) receives a $5,000 development grant from the Mississippi Development Authority during a ‘Pitch in the V-Quad’ competition in August. Joining Scovazzo are (from left) Bill Ashley, MDAs director of business research and workforce development; Sumesh Arora, director of MDA’s Energy and Natural Resources Division; and Joe Donovan, MDA director of technology, innovation and entrepreneurship. Submitted photo