PLATTEVILLE—UW-Platteville biochemistry student Gene Cruz was recognized for excellence in research communication during the WiSys Quick Pitch on May 5.

The student “pitch” competition inspires UW System students to consider the impact of their research and effectively communicate it to the public via three-minute presentations.

Cruz took first place and a $300 prize for the presentation “Virus Reduction from Surfaces Using First Contact Polymers.”

Cruz is now eligible to advance to the virtual WiSys Quick Pitch State Final on May 26 to compete against student researchers from across the UW System.

UW-Platteville political science student Alyssa Marroquin was also recognized during the event for taking second place and $100 prize for the presentation “COVID-19 Influence on Immigration Attitudes: Do Different Frames Produce More or Less Tolerance Towards Undocumented Immigrants?”

“Gene, Alyssa and all the presenters from UW-Platteville knocked it out of the park with their excellent presentations. I’m glad I wasn’t one of the judges having to choose between all the great presentations,” said WiSys President Arjun Sanga. “These students proved to be excellent communicators of their work and their faculty advisors should be proud of them.”

This year’s campus-level WiSys Quick Pitches took place virtually due to continued concerns about the pandemic. The UW-Platteville competitors presented during the same showcase as students at two other UW System schools—UW-Stout and UW-Stevens Point. Winners were selected from each campus.

For more information about the WiSys Quick Pitch Program or to watch the student presentations, 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.