STEVENS POINT—UW-Stevens Point student Isabel Dunn 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.

Dunn, a water resources student, took first place and a $300 prize for the presentation “Benthic Macroinvertebrate Community Responses to Wastewater Treatment Plant Discharges in Central Wisconsin.”

Dunn 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-Stevens Point chemistry and music student Claire Weydt, took second place and a $100 prize for the presentation “Ester Concentrations in Beer Yeast Based on Fermentation Temperature.”

“UW-Stevens Point students produce tremendous and varied undergraduate research. Congratulations to the students for showing off their exciting projects in the WiSys Quick Pitch,” said WiSys President Arjun Sanga. “Communicating the value of university research to society is an important endeavor. Thank you to UW-Stevens Point Chancellor Dr. Thomas Gibson for supporting the students by serving as an outstanding judge this year.”

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