Meet WaterWise: The Ohio State startup battling toxic algae with drones

A startup born out of research at The Ohio State University is taking on the  growing global threat of toxic algal blooms.

The company, WaterWise, uses autonomous drone systems and advanced treatment methods to monitor and mitigate harmful algae, which are on the rise due to nutrient pollution. 

“This is a great example of how Ohio State creates space for students and researchers to turn their passions into real ventures,” said Kevin Taylor, chief innovation officer for the Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge. “WaterWise brings together academic insight, entrepreneurial support and student drive—all the ingredients for meaningful innovation that lasts beyond graduation.” 

When Kendall Byrd began exploring environmental challenges through his coursework at Ohio State, he didn’t anticipate that his work would take him beyond the classroom—let alone across continents. 

Now a graduate research assistant in the College of Public Health, Byrd is part of a team developing breakthrough technology to combat one of the world’s most urgent environmental threats: harmful algal blooms. 

“All 50 states have reported harmful algal blooms that have had negative economic or health impacts,” Byrd said. “It’s not just a regional issue—it’s national, and it’s global.” 

The project started under the leadership of Jiyoung Lee, PhD, professor and chair of the Division of Environmental Health Sciences. Byrd works under Lee’s guidance, bringing hands-on experience in lake management, water treatment and autonomous drone systems. With early support from Rev1 Ventures—an Ohio State partner—Byrd connected with business mentor Janis Mitchell, fractional CTO Robert Zwink and fractional CFO Stephan Haynes. Now a five-person team, they plan to bring on Ohio State student interns for fieldwork in the coming months. Their solution targets the growing threat of toxic algae—some as potent as cobra venom—caused by nutrient pollution, with patents pending in the United States, Canada and South Korea. 

“This problem isn’t isolated to Ohio or the U.S.,” Lee said. “It affects ecosystems and communities around the world. Many countries are facing the same issue, and some—like South Korea—are experiencing very severe algal blooms. That’s why we included testing there.” 

Lee, whose research focuses on environmental health and water quality, said the project’s strength lies in its cross-disciplinary and cross-generational collaboration. 

“Students are bringing energy and innovation, and they’re learning to apply science to real-world problems,” she said. “It’s exciting to see them take the lead and implement solutions that can have global impact.” 

Byrd is among those students stepping into leadership roles, supported by teammates with backgrounds in finance and technology. Together, they’re working with faculty and business partners to transition research into action, with testing beginning in May. 

“I’ve learned how to manage a project, collaborate across disciplines and work with partners outside the university,” Byrd said. “This is by far the most meaningful experience I’ve had at Ohio State.” 

For Mitchell, who collaborated with Mandana Ashouri, associate director of licensing, engineering, the project reflects Ohio State’s strong commitment to innovation, applied research and solutions that make a difference beyond the lab. 

“These students aren’t just learning—they’re leading,” she said. “And they’re doing it in a way that reflects the very best of what Ohio State stands for.”