PLATTEVILLE—UW-Platteville students Devon Lee and Cassandra Maslow were recognized for their research communication skills in the WiSys Quick Pitch @ UW-Parkside on April 26.

The student “pitch” competition inspires UW System students to consider the impact of their research and effectively communicate it to the public. Students have three minutes to impress a panel of judges with their pitch.

Lee, a junior electrical engineering student, took first place and a $300 prize in the event with the presentation “Carbon Nanotube Electronics.”

Lee’s faculty advisor is UW-Platteville Professor of Engineering Physics Dr. Harold Evensen.

The win comes with the opportunity to represent UW-Platteville in the WiSys Quick Pitch State finals in August at the WiSys SPARK Symposium, WiSys’ annual celebration of research, innovation and entrepreneurship in the UW System.

Maslow, a junior psychology student, earned second place and a $125 prize for the presentation “COVID-190 and College Students’ Well-Being.”

Maslow’s faculty advisor is UW-Platteville Assistant Professor of Psychology Dr. Kameko Halfmann.

Overall, the event featured four student research pitches. The other presenters and presentations were:

• Jacob Plumley, “Shape-based Separation of Mastitis Pathogens Using Nanosculpted Membranes.”
• Katelyn Zajicek, “How Will Small, Hometown Businesses Survive the Age of Technology.”

The judges for the competition were:

• Dr. Melissa Gormley, Professor of History, UW-Platteville.
• Dr. Rich Dhyanchand, Associate Professor of Biology, UW-Platteville.

For more information about the WiSys Quick Pitch Program, visit wisys.org/quickpitch.

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.