Students win awards at Annual Research Pitch

The University of North Georgia (UNG) hosted the third Annual Research Pitch on Nov. 3. This was the first time the event was held on UNG's Gainesville Campus.  

Modeled after the University of Queensland's 3MT program by UNG's Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (CURCA), the Annual Research Pitch offers all UNG students the opportunity to give a three-minute pitch on their research.   

This year's event included nine presentations given by 14 students. The winners were:

• First place: Kathryn Monheim — "Synthesis of Fluorescent Dyes for Incorporation into Silica Nanoparticles for Early Detection of Pathogens."
• Second place: Dody Matundu — "An Examination of the Risks and Frequency of Public Wi-Fi Use."
• Third place: David Olsen — "Unravelling the Structure of the Proton with the Electron Ion Collider."

Dr. Diogo Pinheiro, CURCA assistant director, shared the importance of this event.

"The Research Pitch is a great opportunity for students to present the amazing research that they do," Pinheiro said. "It helps them practice how to present their projects to general audiences."

Faculty member Dr. Ric Kabat served as emcee, and faculty members Dr. Mike Lavender, Dr. Toluwani Oloke, Dr. Ana Pozzi Harris, and Dr. Ghulam Hasnain were the judges.