Preparing for the 2026 UC Davis Grad Slam
2025 UC Davis Champion and 2nd Place UC Winner Shares Grad Slam Experience
Grad Slam is almost here! (Register to attend in-person Friday, April 3, 2026).
We asked 2025 UC Davis Grad Slam champion and 2nd place UC Grad Slam winner, Yara Khatib, a Ph.D. candidate in Pharmacology and Toxicology, to share her experiences throughout the competition.
What and who inspired you to join Grad Slam?
I joined Grad Slam because I genuinely love science communication. I think it is one of the most important skills we can develop as researchers. If we cannot clearly explain why our work matters, then what are we doing? I was also encouraged by mentors and friends who knew I enjoy public speaking and pushing myself a little.
Why did you choose to pursue the research you presented at the 2025 Grad Slam?
I care deeply about improving how we treat mental health disorders. My research focuses on how certain compounds promote neuroplasticity, which has the potential to create real structural change in the brain. That felt important to share. It is exciting science, and it has real implications for people’s lives.
How did you feel after being announced the winner for UC Davis Grad Slam?
Honestly, I was shocked! And incredibly grateful. It felt validating to have my work recognized, especially in a field that is sometimes misunderstood.
How did you feel going into the overall UC Grad Slam competition?
I felt excited and a little nervous, which is a good combination. I knew I was representing UC Davis, and I wanted to do that well. At the same time, I reminded myself to enjoy it. It is not every day you get to share your research on that kind of stage.
How did you feel learning you won second place at the overall UC Grad Slam competition?
I was so proud. The level of talent across the UC system is incredibly high, so placing second meant a lot to me. It felt like the message really resonated.
How did you feel after your presentation?
Relieved, energized, and honestly just happy. There is something powerful about condensing years of work into three minutes and seeing it connect with an audience.
Who supported you throughout Grad Slam?
My lab, my PI, friends, and fellow graduate students were amazing. They listened to practice runs, gave honest feedback, and helped me sharpen both the science and the story. Grad Slam may look like an individual competition, but it absolutely takes a team.
Congratulations to the 2026 UC Davis Grad Slam Top 10 Finalists!
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
- Mark Salazar, Ph.D. Candidate, Pharmacology & Toxicology
- Supatirada Wongchanla, Ph.D. Candidate, Animal Biology
College of Biological Sciences
- Devi Jayakrishnan, Ph.D. Candidate, Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology
- Alex Neupauer, Ph.D. Student, Integrative Genetics and Genomics
College of Engineering
- Bhargav Joshi, Ph.D. Candidate, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
- Eden Winslow, Ph.D. Candidate, Biomedical Engineering
- Preyash Yadav, Master's Student, Computer Science
College of Letters and Science
- Eli Elster, Ph.D. Student, Anthropology
- Rachael Kee, Ph.D. Student, Communication
School of Veterinary Medicine
- Jack Goon, Ph.D. Candidate, Immunology
The UC Davis Grad Slam competition will be held in the Graduate Center at Walker Hall on Friday, April 3. We encourage anyone who is interested in supporting these graduate students to join us in-person and cheer them on. More information and publicity on each participant will be released leading up to the event.