Irvine, Calif. — The University of California, Irvine will host its 12th annual Grad Slam competition on March 12 at the Verano 8 Community Center. Leidos, a global industry and technology leader, has been named the event’s Third Place sponsor.
Grad Slam, presented by UC Irvine’s Graduate Division, is a systemwide competition that challenges graduate scholars to deliver compelling, three-minute presentations of their research to a general university audience. The event highlights the excellence, relevance, and impact of graduate research while strengthening participants’ communication and presentation skills.
“It is a pleasure to welcome Leidos as a first-time sponsor of Grad Slam,” said Jaymi Smith, Interim Vice Provost for Graduate Education at UC Irvine. “Their support extends beyond our third-place finisher to the Graduate Division as a whole and reflects a shared commitment to investing in our graduate scholars.”
Leidos serves government and commercial customers by delivering smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations across a wide range of sectors.
“UC Irvine will always have a special place in my heart, and this event represents some of the very best aspects of graduate education,” said Jose Romero-Mariona, Director of Innovation at Leidos. “Grad Slam exemplifies how UCI prepares future leaders and innovators, and we are proud to support such a meaningful and impactful program.”
Romero-Mariona is a UC Irvine alumnus, having earned both his bachelor’s degree and doctorate in computer science, and currently serves on the UCI Graduate Division Dean’s Leadership Council.
Grad Slam winners receive cash prizes totaling up to $6,500, along with a competitive résumé credential. Judges place strong emphasis on presentation clarity, engagement, and effectiveness for a non-specialist audience. Be
UC Irvine gratefully acknowledges the support of all 2026 Grad Slam sponsors, including Cie Digital Labs, Johnson & Johnson MedTech, Leonid Capital Partners, The Pacific Club, AbbVie, UC Irvine Foundation, OC Alliance, UC Irvine Chancellor’s Club, UC Irvine CEO Roundtable, UC Irvine Academic Personnel, UC Irvine’s Donald Bren School of Informatics and Computer Sciences, UC Irvine’s Samueli School of Engineering, UC Irvine’s School of Education, and UC Irvine’s Charlie Dunlap School of Biological Sciences.
For more information about Grad Slam, please contact Raslyn Rendon at rrendon@uci.edu.
About the University of California, Irvine
Founded in 1965, the University of California, Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is consistently ranked among the nation’s top public universities by U.S. News & World Report. UCI has produced five Nobel laureates and is recognized for its academic excellence, cutting-edge research, and innovation. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UCI enrolls more than 36,000 students across 224 degree programs. Located in one of the nation’s safest and most economically vibrant regions, UCI is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide. For more information, visit www.uci.edu.