Irvine, Calif. – The University of California, Irvine hosted its 11th annual Grad Slam competition at the UCI Verano 8 Community Center on March 13th. Casey Vanderlip won the competition while Sydney Prange earned a runner-up finish and Emily Tom took third place. First place collects $6,500 while second receives $3,500 and third place takes home $2,500. The seven additional finalists each collect $500.
Part of UCI’s Graduate Division, Grad Slam is a systemwide competition that showcases and awards the best three-minute research presentations by graduate scholars. The competition not only highlights the excellence, importance, and relevance of UCI graduate scholars and their research, but it’s also designed to increase graduate students’ communication skills.
About the University of California, Irvine
Founded in 1965, UCI is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UCI has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide. For more on UCI, visit www.uci.edu.












