Irvine, Calif. — The University of California, Irvine will host its 12th annual Grad Slam competition on March 12, 2026, at the Verano 8 Community Center. Johnson & Johnson MedTech has been named the presenting sponsor of this signature Graduate Division event.
Part of UC Irvine’s Graduate Division, Grad Slam is a systemwide competition that showcases the university’s top graduate scholars as they deliver compelling three-minute presentations on their research. The competition celebrates the excellence, relevance, and impact of graduate research while strengthening scholars’ communication skills for broad, interdisciplinary audiences.
J&J MedTech brings together healthcare expertise, purposeful technology, and a passion for people to transform the future of medical intervention. For more than 140 years, the company has driven breakthrough scientific innovation across surgery, orthopedics, vision, and interventional solutions to address unmet healthcare needs worldwide.
“We are delighted to welcome J&J MedTech as our presenting sponsor,” said Jaymi Smith, Interim Vice Provost for Graduate Education at UC Irvine. “Their commitment to innovation and research excellence aligns seamlessly with Grad Slam’s mission to elevate and celebrate our graduate scholars.”
Grad Slam winners receive cash prizes of up to $6,500 and earn a prestigious credential recognizing their ability to communicate complex research effectively to a general university audience.
“J&J MedTech is proud to serve as the presenting sponsor of UC Irvine’s 12th annual Grad Slam,” said Leeor Herzog, WiSTEM lead at J&J MedTech. “This continuing partnership between UC Irvine and J&J MedTech is a wonderful example of our company’s dedication to our community, our customers, and shaping the next generation of innovators, that are all integrated in our company’s credo. The innovation demonstrated by UCI’s graduate scholars reflects the curiosity, rigor, and impact we strive for every day. We couldn’t imagine a better partnership.”
Leeor graduated from UCI with his Ph.D. in cancer and immunology research in 2020.
For more information about the event, please contact Raslyn Rendon at rrendon@uci.edu.
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.