Postdoc Slam, the annual research communications contest presented by the Office for Postdoctoral Scholars and the Graduate Division, returns this year on Wednesday, September 18. Postdoc Slam is the featured event of UCSF's celebration of National Postdoc Appreciation Week, September 16 to 20.
Postdoc Slam challenges postdocs in a range of disciplines to present a compelling presentation of their research in three minutes or less, using language that not only their peers but also non-specialists will understand. The intention of Postdoc Slam is not to dumb-down or trivialize research; rather, it is meant to incentivize postdocs to clarify their ideas and to help others appreciate and understand their work.
We're excited to announce this year's ten finalists, selected by a panel of screening judges, who will compete for cash prizes of $4,000, $2,000, $1,000, and $750 at the live event on September 18. The entire campus community is welcome to join us for Postdoc Slam, either in person in Genentech Hall at Mission Bay, or via the live stream. In-person and remote viewers alike will be able to cast their vote for the "People's Choice" prize winner. Please mark your calendar for Wednesday, September 18, at 4 p.m. PDT!
Congratulations to these ten postdoctoral scholars who will give 3-minute talks on a wide range of research topics at the lively Postdoc Slam event:
Alicer K. Andrew, PhD
Nadia Roan, PhD, faculty mentor
Hide & Seek: The Game HIV and T Cells Play
Roddrick Dugger, PhD
Marguerita Lightfoot, PhD and Sheri Lippman, PhD, MPH, faculty mentors
Like PB&J, A Complementary Approach to Reduce Food Insecurity
Jeremy Ford, PhD
Jeanne Paz, PhD, faculty mentor
Innovating Tools to Drive Breakthroughs in Stroke Pain Research
Colin Hoy, PhD
Simon Little, PhD, faculty mentor
Stimulating Positivity: Can a Brain Implant Lift Your Mood?
Alexandra Klein, PhD
Mazen Kheirbek, PhD, faculty mentor
Take a Deep Breath: Understanding the Neural Basis of How Respiration Influences Emotions
Rebecca L. Knoll, MD
Susan Lynch, PhD, faculty mentor
Outcompeting ChatGPT with Poop
Ana Lyons, PhD
Saul Kato, PhD and Noelle L'Etoile, PhD, faculty mentors
From Microscopic to Iconic: Tardigrades, Neuroscience’s New Celebrities
Sonia Nocera, PhD
Jonah Chan, PhD, faculty mentor
The Power of a Sugar Mama
Taylor B. Rogers, PhD, MPH
Joanne Spetz, PhD, faculty mentor
Lift Doula Voices for Birth Equity
Camilla Teng, PhD
Jeffrey Bush, PhD, faculty mentor
Zip It: Forming the Upper Lip
Read more about the Postdoc Slam competition.