Undergraduate researchers visiting Virginia Tech over the summer flexed their public speaking skills as part of the Summer Spark Series.

A collaboration between the Pamplin College of Business’s Integrated Security Education and Research Center (ISERC) and the Multicultural Academic Opportunities Program (MAOP), the Summer Spark Series challenges early career researchers to capture their audience in 90-second spark talks. Participants prepared for their talk via the Spark Lab, run by Charity Boyette, assistant professor of practice in the Department of Management. Speakers and guests heard a keynote address from Laila Kirkpatrick, MAOP assistant director.

The 2025 Summer Spark competitors presented on topics ranging from neuroscience to cybersecurity, representing three Virginia Tech summer programs:

  • Multicultural Academic Opportunities Program (MAOP)
  • Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship, School of Neuroscience (SURF-N)
  • Students Transforming Energy and Environmental Research (STEER)

“It is a joy to hear students sharing their work with such passion,” reflected Kirsten Dean, high impact librarian from University Libraries and series judge. “I think we all benefit from more curiosity and connection in the world, and this series supports both.” 

The judge’s top three:

  • Charlotte M., The Neuroscience of Molecular Warmth Receptors: What Fruit Flies Can Tell Us About Sensing Temperature (SURF-N)
  • Olivia C., Artificial Photosynthesis: Taking a Leaf out of Plants' Playbook (STEER)
  • Nicholas W., Chemical Recycling: Revising the Waste We Waste (STEER)

People’s Choice awards:

  • Naima N., Fairness First: Uncovering & Correcting Bias in AI‑Driven Chest Pain Triage (MAOP)
  • Casie P., Auditing Privacy Policies for Mixed Reality Eye Tracking Applications (MAOP)
  • Elise G., Microplastics in Soil and Their Toxicological Effect on Aquatic Organisms (MAOP)

Honorable mentions:

  • Maya S., AI Chatbots as a Digital Intervention for OCD in Young Adults (MAOP)
  • Ayra N., Cybersecurity in Formula 1: Safeguarding Workflows and Data Integrity (MAOP)
  • Norman J Jr., Quantum Sensing of Magnetic Fields (MAOP)

With support from the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative Southwest Virginia node, the event highlights communication as an important facet of research and early workforce development. Arianna Schuler Scott, creator of the Summer Spark Series and senior associate director of ISERC, said, “these students have done a brilliant job of breaking tough problems into a fun, informative, and entertaining message which captures the audience’s attention.”

Ayra, a MAOP Summer Spark presenter said, “everyone did a great job talking about their topics and it was interesting to see how they decided to convey it within the 90 seconds.” 

A panel of guest judges from across Virginia Tech weighed in, assessing the talks on audience connection, emotional connection, and confidence.

  • Alice Jayoung Jang, Assistant Professor of Business Information Technology, Pamplin College of Business
  • Kirsten Dean, High-Impact Practices Librarian, University Libraries
  • Hollis Wittman, University Libraries
  • Shanti Freeman, Program Coordinator, Securitas Living-Learning Community
  • Sara Huggett, Program Coordinator, Impact Living-Learning Community 
  • Laila Kirkpatrick, Assistant Director, Multicultural Academic Opportunities Program.
  • Arianna Schuler Scott, Senior Associate Director (ISERC), Pamplin College of Business

Written by Arianna Schuler Scott

Contact:

Tags

Share this story