SUPERIOR—Senior psychology major Rachael Tuve won the WiSys Quick Pitch @ UW-Superior on Feb. 27. 

The student “pitch” competition inspires UW System students to consider the impact of their research and effectively communicate it to the public. Sixteen students participated in this year’s event at UW-Superior.

PHOTOS: WiSys Quick Pitch @ UW-Superior

The title of Tuve’s winning presentation was “The Relationship Between Well-Being and Financial Stress in College Students.”

The hypothesis of the research was that financial stress will be negatively correlated with levels of well-being in college students, but Tuve’s study, based on surveys of 29 students, showed no correlation.

Tuve, who won a $300 prize, is now eligible to participate in the WiSys Quick Pitch State Final at the WiSys SPARK Symposium in Madison, July 27-28.

SECOND PLACE

Jessica Smith, a junior legal studies major, took second place in the event and earned a $100 prize.

Smith’s presentation was titled “Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women,” and explored the causes and potential legislative solutions to combat the epidemic of missing women each year.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE 

Senior economics and finance major Hung Nguyen took home the event’s People’s Choice Award for a presentation titled “Campaign for Sleep Movement.”

This research project Nguyen presented focused on the issue of sleep deprivation in the modern world. This presentation was designed to raise awareness of the importance of a proper sleep and its impact in almost every aspect of our society, according to Nguyen.

The judges for the competition included Associate Dean of Students Tammy Fanning, Director for the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning Dr. Jamie White-Farnham and Associate Professor of Communication Dr. Chad Vollrath. The event planning committee included URSCA Program Administrator Julie O’Leary, Associate Outreach Specialist Emily Schoenborn, Assistant Professor of Economics Dr. Praopan Pratoomchat and Associate Professor of Communication Dr. Ephraim Nikoi.

WiSys is a nonprofit organization that works with faculty, staff, students and alumni of the UW System to facilitate cutting-edge research programs, develop and commercialize discoveries and foster a spirit of innovative and entrepreneurial thinking across the state.