UCI Grad Slam 2025
UCI Grad Slam 2025 SemifinalsFeb. 7, 2025
Grad Slam is a systemwide competition that showcases and awards the best three-minute research presentations by graduate scholars. This in-person competition not only highlights the excellence, importance and relevance of UCI graduate scholars and their research, but it is also designed to increase graduate students’ communication skills and their capacity to effectively present their work with poise and confidence. It is an opportunity to share accomplishments with the campus, friends of UCI, the local community, and the broader public.
To attend the UCI Grad Slam 2025 Semifinals on Feb. 7, 2025, RSVP here for UCI students and faculty and here for community friends.
Why Apply?
Grad Slam contestants receive advanced communication skills training and a competitive CV/resume line. Additionally, winners receive cash prizes up to $11,000! The systemwide winner earns the coveted title of 2025 Grad Slam Champion and the coveted “Slammy”. The deadline is January 19, 2025!
All competitors that advance to the UCI campus finals receive at least $500. The winner receives $6,500, second place claims $3,500 and third place takes home $2,500.
All competitors will have the opportunity to work on their respective pitches with Bri McWhorter of Activate to Captivate.
Who Should Apply?
Rules
Grad Slam presentations are limited to three minutes in length with only one accompanying static slide (no animations, no video, no sound).
They should be prepared for a diverse audience and resonate with student, faculty, and community members alike. The presentation’s clarity and effectiveness for a general university audience is strongly considered in the judging process.
Take a look below to see the winning performance from last year’s competition. The event is open to ALL graduate students!
Questions? Contact the Graduate & Postdoctoral Scholar Resource Center at gpsrc@uci.edu. Or you can watch our information session here or read through the slides here.
Semifinal at UCI Student Center – Heat Schedule
Please note the order of competition will be revealed at the competition. This list does NOT reflect the order of competitors.
Heat 1:
9am – 10:30am
10:30-11 AM break
Celina Yang, School of Medicine
Dalton Salvo, School of Humanities
Esteban Bautista Garcia, School of Physical Sciences
Jasmine Chavez, School of Medicine
Kiara Wiggins, Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences
Mary Thuy Nguyen, School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences
Rahul Sreedasyam, Henry Samueli School of Engineering
Savannah Plaskon, School of Social Science
Sydney Prange, Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences
Heat 2:
11am – 12:30pm
12:30-1 PM break
Doreen Hii, School of Social Science
Gabby De Robles, School of Medicine
Lorenzo Foglia, Interdisciplinary Programs
Marissa Gavin, School of Humanities
Mohammad Heidari, Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing
Siwei Hu, Henry Samueli School of Engineering
Tasneem Mustafa, Henry Samueli School of Engineering
Tyler Smith, School of Physical Sciences
Cameron Geller, Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences
Heat 3:
1-2:30pm
2:30-3 PM break
Bianca Leonard, Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences
Darcianne Watanabe, School of Social Ecology
Duno Dantis, School of Physical Sciences
Haley Staudmyer, School of Physical Sciences
Kathryn Jones, Henry Samueli School of Engineering
Madeline Vera-Colon, Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health
Vincent Zaballa, Henry Samueli School of Engineering
Yueqi Ren, School of Medicine
Spencer Matthews, Donald Bren School of Informational & Computer Sciences
Heat 4:
3 – 4:30pm
4:30-5 PM break
Amanda Malone, School of Humanities
Anita Ghandehari, Henry Samueli School of Engineering
Emily Tom, School of Medicine
Gamaliel De La Torre, Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences
Kunlei He, School of Education
Max Fieg, School of Physical Sciences
Mihoka Fukurai, Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health
Olivia Ritchie, Henry Samueli School of Engineering
Maya Silverman, School of Physical Sciences
Heat 5:
5 – 6:30pm
Aiswarya Rani Pappu, Henry Samueli School of Engineering
Mohammad Amaan Siddiqui, School of Social Science
Casey Vanderlip, Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences
Cheolmin Ahn, Henry Samueli School of Engineering
Jingying Yang, Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing
Novia Wong, Donald Bren School of Informational & Computer Sciences
Rebecca Larkin, Claire Trevor School of the Arts
Tessa Chou, School of Medicine
Matthew Bohn-Montes, Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences
| 2025 In-Person Competition Schedule | |
|---|---|
| Applications Open | Thursday, November 22, 2024 |
| Grad Slam Information Session | Watch Here |
| Applications Close | Friday, January 17, 2025 |
| Grad Slam Pitch Workshop with Bri McWhorter (Virtual) | Wednesday, January 29, 2025. 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. PT |
| Grad Slam Pitch Workshop with Bri McWhorter (In-Person) | Thursday, January 30, 2025. 3 to 4 p.m. PT |
| In-Person Grad Slam UCI Semi-Finals | Friday, February 7, 2025 at the UCI Student Center |
| In-Person Grad Slam UCI Finals | Thursday, March 13, 2025 |
| Grad Slam Systemwide Finals | Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at the UC Center Sacramento |
| UCI After the Slam | Thursday, May 15, 2025 |