Gearing Up for Grad Slam: Inspirations and Expectations

Grad Slam is almost here! (Register to attend in-person Friday, April 11, 2025).

We asked 2024 UC Davis Grad Slam champion Sasha Neil Pimento to share her experiences throughout the competition.

1. What and who inspired you to join Grad Slam?

I was initially unfamiliar with Grad Slam until I received an email about it. Curious, I started looking into the contest details, rules, and expectations and that’s when I came across last year's winner, Julia Mouat's presentation. I found it fantastic and was inspired to try it myself since I have always enjoyed giving technical presentations. When I expressed my intention to enter the contest to my advisor, Dr. Alyssa Weakley, she was very supportive and encouraged me to go for it. We both saw Grad Slam as a valuable opportunity to not only raise awareness about our Alzheimer's disease research but also share our work with a wider community. Ultimately, it was my enthusiasm coupled with Dr. Weakley’s encouragement that drove me to seize this opportunity and submit my presentation for the Grad Slam qualifying round.

2. Why did you choose to pursue the research you presented at the 2024 Grad Slam?

One of the main reasons I chose to pursue this research is its profound real-world impact. During my previous work as a software engineer in the fintech industry, I found the work intellectually stimulating, but I often felt a desire to contribute to something more meaningful, something that could directly improve people’s lives.

When I came across Dr. Alyssa Weakley’s research at the UC Davis Alzheimer’s Research Institute, I was excited by the opportunity to apply my technical skills in a way that could make a tangible difference to patients with cognitive disabilities. Alzheimer’s is a degenerative disease, but technology has the potential to enhance patient comfort and reduce the burden on caregivers. My work focuses on designing intuitive and accessible technology solutions that help caregivers manage daily tasks more efficiently while ensuring that patients can maintain independence for as long as possible.

Beyond the technical challenges, this research has fundamentally shaped the way I approach problem-solving. Working closely with patients and caregivers has deepened my appreciation for human-centered design and has made me a more thoughtful and compassionate engineer, and that perspective will continue to guide my work in the future. That mission is what drives my passion for this research and what made it the perfect choice for my Grad Slam presentation.

3. How did you feel after being announced the winner for UC Davis Grad Slam?

I honestly couldn't believe it. Every presentation that day was incredible, delivered by brilliant Ph.D. students, and as the only Master’s student competing that day, I didn’t have very high expectations. Of course, I really wanted to win, but I kept my hopes in check, knowing I was up against such accomplished researchers.

As I watched the winners being read out, I kept thinking "Oh, there goes 3rd place, and oh there goes the 2nd place." So when my name was read out, I was absolutely ecstatic and that feeling was just amazing! There was just so much excitement and happiness. What I found really nice was the contestants also participating in my celebration and I ended up making some good friends there. It was also nice to see professors, family and friends from around the world congratulating me on the achievement and it's a moment that is forever etched in my memory.

4. Who supported you throughout Grad Slam?

Throughout Grad Slam, I received invaluable support from a strong network of mentors, peers and family. 

My professor - Dr. Alyssa Weakley was an exceptional mentor, providing consistent guidance, encouragement, and insight that helped me refine my presentation. Her belief in me was a driving force throughout the process. To create the qualifying round video, Dr. Weakley and I closely studied Julia's winning presentation multiple times, analyzing the strategies used so we could effectively incorporate similar techniques into our slides. 

After making it to the Grad Slam Top 10, we received the rubric and my qualifying scores, which helped guide our refinements. We focused on areas where I had scored lower, with Dr. Weakley having me present repeatedly in front of various groups like the Alzheimer's Research Institute and our lab members. This allowed us to gather feedback and iteratively improve both the slides and script.

The UC Davis Graduate Studies also provided a valuable resource by allowing finalists to book two consultations with the UC Davis presentation consultant, Dr. Beth Tweedy. Her insights were instrumental for me - she pinpointed potential areas of confusion and provided guidance on enhancing my visuals and animations for greater clarity.

My friends also gave constructive critiques that helped me elevate my performance. Additionally, my family, especially my mom, was a constant source of support. She listened to my rehearsals countless times, offering helpful feedback on my speech and expression, and her patience and encouragement were essential to my success.

5. What is your advice for the future top 10 finalists?

My advice would be to make sure you get feedback from various different groups of people, it could be your professor, peers, peers from different departments, and your friends. The reason for this is because you want to make sure your research is easily understandable by all and the only way you can do this is by practicing with diverse groups of people who may not have a background in the subject or research that you are currently pursuing.

Another piece of advice I have is that when you go up to give your presentation, be very confident in your abilities and forget the fact that you are doing this as a formal presentation. Just bring up the reason why you are actually passionate about this research and that will project onto the audience.  

All the best to the future Top 10 Finalists! I hope you all do well!

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Looking for more ideas? Need some support? Check out the GradPathways Institute for Professional Development.