SLAM 2022

The 2022 Berkeley Lab SLAM Finalists have been selected! Look out for an announcement in Elements, including interviews with each SLAM finalist. Finalist profiles will be featured on slam.lbl.gov in the coming weeks. See the SLAM finalists go head to head on September 22 during the live event at 3:00 PM PT.

Biosciences: Aparajitha Srinivasan, Elle Barnes, and Ying Wang
Computing Sciences: Jean Luca Bez
Earth & Environmental Sciences: Mohammed Ombadi
Energy Sciences: Alexander Pattison, Gan Chen, Sabari Ghosh, and Sarah Gleeson
Energy Technologies: Jingbo Wang
Physical Sciences: Fatima Garcia and Emil Rofors

What is the SLAM?

Modeled after 3 Minute Thesis and Grad Slam, the Berkeley Lab Research SLAM is an annual competition where contestants are challenged to present a compelling three minute presentation of their research in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.

Important Dates:

September 22, 2022 - Live Event
October 2022 - Bay Area Research SLAM

The SLAM live event:

The SLAM live event will be Thursday, September 22, 2022 from 3:00pm-4:30pm, with winners announced by 5:00pm. The slam will be live-streamed, but only those in attendance (physically or virtually) can participate in the People's Choice voting. It will be confirmed later this year whether the event will be virtual or in person.

Who is Eligible to Participate?

Any current Berkeley Lab employee who will be in an active appointment through October 2022 and has received their Ph.D. between January 2015 - December 2021.

Why Should You Participate?

This is a great accomplishment and skill to add to your CV
This will prepare you with a strong elevator pitch you can make on the spot and use in future job interviews or job talks
Finalists will work with Jean Luc Doumont both in an August workshop and be provided the unique opportunity to work on their final presentation 1 on 1 with Principiae coaches.
Finalists will receive a professionally cut video of their live presentation to be used as they please as well as professional head-shots
There will be a monetary award given to for a First, Second, and third Prize winner. In addition, a "People's Choice" award will be selected by the live audience. Awards will be disbursed through payroll and are subject to taxes. The awards are as follows:
- First prize- $3,000
- Second prize- $2,000
- Third prize- $1,000
- People's choice- $750
This year's first, second, and third-place award recipients will have the opportunity to advance to the inaugural regional Bay Area Research SLAM, which is a collaboration with the 3 bay area research labs: Lawrence Livermore National Lab, Sandia National Lab, and SLAC National Lab.

How to Enter?

Contestants will submit an intent to participate by 11:59 PM PTon June 17, 2022
Submit a video of your 3-minute talk by 5:00 PM PT on July 18, 2022 (direct link to submit video will be sent to those who have submitted intent and eligibility confirmed).
Preliminary judges will select 10-12 finalists by August 1st. See the guidelines for eligibility, judging criteria, and other important deadlines

Questions?

Please submit your questions to the Career Pathways Office at pathways@lbl.gov.