Grad Slam, the Graduate Division’s popular annual research communications contest, returns on April 4 as part of UCSF’s celebration of National Graduate Student Appreciation Week.
We are excited to announce this year’s ten finalists, selected by a panel of screening judges. These PhD candidates will compete for cash prizes of $4,000, $2,000, $1,000, and $750 at the live event on April 4. The top prize winner will compete in the UC systemwide Grad Slam competition in May.
Saumya Bollam
Biomedical Sciences Program
Allan Balmain, PhD, faculty mentor
Canice Christian
Global Health Sciences Program
Gabriel Chamie, MD, faculty mentor
Jaysón Davidson
Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics Program
Atul Butte, MD, PhD, faculty mentor
Sophia Guldberg
Biomedical Sciences Program
Matthew Spitzer, PhD, faculty mentor
Evelyn Hernandez
Tetrad Program
Roshanak Irannejad, PhD, faculty mentor
Deepa Rajan
Tetrad Program
Wallace Marshall, PhD, and Adam Frost, MD, PhD, faculty mentors
Mashel Fatema Saifuddin
Tetrad Program
Noelle L'Etoile, PhD, faculty mentor
Olivia Teter
Bioengineering Program
Martin Kampmann, PhD, faculty mentor
Victoria Sayo Turner
Neuroscience Program
Mazen Kheirbek, PhD, faculty mentor
Benjamin Wheeler
Biomedical Sciences Program
Mark Ansel, PhD, faculty mentor
Grad Slam challenges PhD students to present a compelling presentation of their dissertation research in three minutes or less, using language that not only their peers but also non-specialists will understand. The intention of Grad Slam is to incentivize students to clarify their ideas and to help others appreciate and understand their work. Grad Slam contests are now held at all 10 UC campuses, and a UC-wide event – featuring the top Grad Slam winners from each campus – is held each spring.
Mark your calendar for Tuesday, April 4, at 4 p.m. PDT, and plan to join us either in person in Byers Auditorium at Mission Bay, or tune into the live stream.
Read more about the annual Grad Slam competition, or meet this year’s live event judges.
