Grad Slam Finalists 2022
The 2022 Grad Slam took place March 5 at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center. Watch the entire Grad Slam on YouTube.
2022 Winners
Champion, Winning $3000
2nd Place at the UC Grad Slam Finals on May 6, Winning $4000!
Amanda Quirk
Astronomy and Astrophysics Ph.D., 5th year
The Tale of Two Galaxies: Studying How Galaxies Change Over Time
Hometown: Alpharetta, GA
What excites you most about your research? Galaxies exist on time and distance scales that we, as humans, can't really comprehend. However, we can explain parts of their pasts and futures using math, and I think that's powerful!
Why did you choose to attend UC Santa Cruz for graduate study? I was looking for a collaborative department conducting cutting-edge research, and I've definitely found that here.
Tell us a bit more about yourself. My favorite activity is snorkeling, and I am so lucky to be able to get in some great snorkeling before or after observing runs!
Runner-Up, Winning $1500
Jessica Kendall-Bar
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Ph.D., 5th year
Eavesdropping on the brain at sea: A first glimpse at sleep in wild marine mammals
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
What excites you most about your research? I am fascinated by animal behavior and cognition. When I get a new dataset, I love the excitement that comes with visualizing it for the first time, of vividly imagining an animal’s trajectory in space and time.
Why did you choose to attend UC Santa Cruz for graduate study? I was excited by the work my advisers and labmates do to discover the hidden lives of elephant seals, narwhals, and dolphins.
Tell us a bit more about yourself! Since starting as a graduate student, I have developed new art and animation skills. I now work as a freelance animator and graphic designer to help scientists communicate results.
People’s Choice, Winning $750
Melissa Marini Švigelj
Education, emphasis in Sociology Ph.D., 4th year
The Limitations and Potentialities of Educational Civil Rights Protections under IDEA for Incarcerated Children
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
What excites you most about your research? Contributing to collective movements striving for the eradication of injustice and inequity humbles, inspires, and motivates me.
Why did you choose to attend UC Santa Cruz for graduate study? The legacy of activism and radical leadership affiliated with UCSC demonstrates the critical and transformative practices I cherish and embrace and the critical research skills I aspire to develop.
Tell us a bit more about yourself! I’m a single mom of four sons and a large dog, hoping to graduate next year when one son also graduates from Santa Cruz High.
Other Finalists
Ontario Alexander
Musicology Ph.D., 1st year
Joseph Boulogne: Restoring a Legend
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
What excites you most about your research? Adding to the building blocks of knowledge, even if I help by adding just one block.
Why did you choose to attend UC Santa Cruz for graduate study? Who could resist the place where sandy beaches and towering redwoods abide? Not I.
Tell us a bit more about yourself! I enjoy old black and white television shows and movies. I also like to listen to old radio sitcoms.
Amanda Carbajal
Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Track in Biomedical Science and Engineering Ph.D., 4th year
Leveraging biotechnology and basic science to stay a step ahead of the next global pandemic
Hometown: Oxnard, CA
What excites you most about your research? The novelty of the work and the vast positive impact it can harbor.
Why did you choose to attend UC Santa Cruz for graduate study? The location, the reputation, and it isn’t a science-only institution.
Tell us a bit more about yourself! I am very passionate about pursuing every aspect of my personality, free from whatever others may think, from working at NASA to my art, such as writing and dance. I am a competitive pole dancer!
Elise Duffau
Psychology Ph.D., 3rd year
The Particularities of Politeness
Hometown: Guerneville, CA
What excites you most about your research? I love words, and I love science fiction, so to be on the cutting edge of research exploring how we communicate with voice assistants and artificial agents is a dream come true! I’m excited to be a part of how this new technology is understood and advances.
Why did you choose to attend UC Santa Cruz for graduate study? To conduct the fascinating research of the Spontaneous Communication Lab led by Dr. Jean E. Fox Tree.
Tell us a bit more about yourself! I grow carnivorous plants and am creating a bog garden of Venus flytraps, sundews, butterworts, and pitcher plants.
Sara Gonzalez
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Ph.D., 6th year
Untangling giant kelp: Causes and consequences of different shapes
Hometown: Silver Spring, MD
What excites you most about your research? Discovering something new about the natural world is such a thrill. I love studying kelp because it plays such a big role in the ocean and also has far-reaching applications in society.
Why did you choose to attend UC Santa Cruz for graduate study? I was drawn to the excellent resources and expertise here at UCSC for studying marine ecology. Plus, living within walking distance of the beach has been a dream come true!
Tell us a bit more about yourself! I enjoy practicing Tae Kwon Do and traveling to other countries, especially ones with kelp!
Andrea Paz-Lacavex
Coastal Science and Policy M.S., 2nd year
SPORA: Rockin’ kelp restoration
Hometown: Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
What excites you most about your research? Creating scalable impact via kelp forest restoration to future-proof coastal systems.
Why did you choose to attend UC Santa Cruz for graduate study? The fleet of high-quality academic leaders in kelp ecology and coastal management, as well as the unique multidisciplinary, innovative, and international environment of the Coastal Science and Policy Program.
Tell us a bit more about yourself! I enjoy climbing and deep diving, and I once drove through five countries to deliver a bacteria-powered light I manufactured to an international technology summit.
