Biology graduate students’ research highlighted at inaugural CSU Grad Slam at San Jose State

A strong culture of research is no longer a hidden jewel; CSU campus emerges as a science hub

By California State University, Bakersfield

May 10^th, 2021

Grad Slam Competitions, or 3MTtm (3-minute thesis presentations), are short TEDx-style presentations where students communicate their research findings free of jargon. Most prestigious universities in the U.S. and abroad hold these types of competitions.

For the inaugural California State University (CSU) wide competition held on May 6, open to all graduate disciplines, 21 graduate students from 12 CSU campuses presented their research using one PowerPoint slide and a short talk of their research. Judges scored each presentation on clarity, organization, theoretical underpinnings, methodological rigor, audience’s engagement and implications to solving pressing issues of the day.

The CSU Grad Slam competition is expected to grow, as more CSU campuses hold a local competition and send representatives to the statewide competition. Our local California State University, Bakersfield Grad Slam competition was previously highlighted online. Two CSUB students from the Biology Department, who were top scorers, represented the campus at the state-wide competition.

Misbah Chaudhry is earning her M.S. degree this spring and she presented her research on finding naturally occurring agents that can be used to control carrot pathogens (Pythium violae, a fungal-like organism) without resorting to harmful fungicides.

“This research has the potential to increase carrot yields, produce healthier carrots, and reduce the harmful effect of fungicides to human health and the environment,” stated Chaudhry. Dr. Isolde Francis, her faculty adviser, concurred, “Misbah is conducting research of high impact to local needs, as Kern County is the largest producer of carrots to the nation.”

Biology graduate students’ research highlighted at inaugural CSU Grad Slam at San Jose State

Jacob Spriester is a second-year graduate student in the biology M.S. degree program, and he presented on the timely topic of plant drought mortality as impacted by plant rooting depth. He is using a clever experimental design, stating that “using differences in water chemistry from different soil depths and plants, one can calculate the rooting depth and relate this to mortality risk without doing any harm to plants and avoiding having to dig and expose roots. “

Dr. Brandon Pratt, who is Spriester’s faculty adviser, further elaborates, “rarely have studies taken such a holistic approach when studying large woody shrubs and Jacob’s work is yielding novel insights.”

Jacob Spriester, biology graduate student

Both Chaudhry and Spriester advanced to the finalist round of competitors, with the top nine students competing for the final competition awards. Although not placing in the final top spots, Spriester summarized the experience well, “… this was a great competition. The amount of talent and dedication in the competition was fantastic. It was great to represent CSUB together with Misbah.”

It should be noted that quality research such as the research presented at the CSU Grad Slam requires strong foundations.

Dr. Luis Vega, Graduate Student Center director and one of the statewide competition organizers, stated: “Graduate student research is a time- and resource-consuming investment that adds high value to a graduate education. Our campus benefits from having a $3 million Title Vb grant, directed by Drs. Anna Jacobsen and Debra Jackson, with the aim of elevating graduate education in terms of increased research, enrollment, and support systems.”

Through this grant, eight graduate research fellows in STEM fields are funded to conduct high quality research, working closely with faculty advisers. Chaudhry was part of this year’s cohort. Spriester was supported by a National Science Foundation CREST (Center for Research Excellence in Science and Technology) grant that supports students in biology, geology, math and engineering.

In preparation for next year’s Grad Slam competitions, both at CSUB (December 2021) and statewide (May 2022), current graduate students and those admitted for fall 2021 are encouraged to visit the CSUB Graduate Student Center for posted updates. The graduate newsletter in early fall 2021, which is emailed to the entire campus, will also have updated information on preparation workshops.

The 12 CSU campuses who participated in this year’s statewide Grad Slam competition were: Bakersfield, Chico, Dominguez Hills, Fresno, Fullerton, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Northridge, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose (host) and Sonoma. Video of participants and the competition can be found at: https://www.sjsu.edu/cgs/events/csu-grad-slam/index.html.

SUPPORT CSUB — GIVE NOW

Footnotes

Story by Graduate Student Center staff, Photos by Juan Rodriguez, photographer/videographer, and provided by Jacob Spriester

Button Label

FootNotes

Story by Graduate Student Center staff, Photos by Juan Rodriguez, photographer/videographer, and provided by Jacob Spriester

Migrant education champion shaped thousands of students’ futures

Biology graduate students’ research highlighted at inaugural CSU Grad Slam at San Jose State

A strong culture of research is no longer a hidden jewel; CSU campus emerges as a science hub

FootNotes

Janie Flores to be inducted into Alumni Hall of Fame

Awards honor CSUB alumna and beloved Bakersfield community member

Fred Plane to be inducted into Alumni Hall of Fame

David Zulfa to be inducted into Alumni Hall of Fame

Two biology, two chemistry students presented their research

Thirteen-day trip 'opened the door to more knowledge and wisdom' for students