Seeking 'Rapid Fire Research' Presenters: Four Minutes, Four Slides to Express Your Big Idea

During Science Week 2022, Utah State University’s student-led Science Council invites Aggie scholars of all majors to apply to present their “big research idea” in four minutes with four slides at the 3rd Semiannual Rapid Fire Research event. The free, public gathering is slated for Thursday, Nov. 3, from 6-7 p.m. in the Life Sciences Building Auditorium (LSB 133) on campus.

“Our Science Council instituted Rapid Fire Research during Science Week 2021 and we had a blast,” says USU Science Senator Gabriella Cale. “We held a second event in Spring 2022, which was also a big hit.”

Both undergraduate and graduate student researchers are encouraged to participate. Prospective presenters should complete the online application by Sunday, Oct. 30.

“Our goal is to provide lots of students with an opportunity to share innovative ideas,” Cale says. “This is a friendly, supportive atmosphere, where students can practice their presentation skills and get inspired.”

Rapid Fire Research was initiated by USU alum Manuel Santana, BS’22, a 2021 Goldwater Scholar, who got the idea from participating in a similar, National Science Foundation-sponsored event for undergraduates at Texas State University.

“A talk at that event by Caltech professor Yison Yue really stuck with me,” says Santana, currently a graduate student in mathematics at Caltech. “Professor Yue said it’s hard to have an impact with your research if you can’t properly communicate your ideas and results. I had the idea, with the Rapid Fire event, to create an opportunity where students could practice communicating their ideas to a broad audience while learning about all the different kinds of research Aggies are doing.”

All are welcome to attend the Nov. 3 event, along with other Science Week activities Oct. 31-Nov. 4.