MENOMONIE—UW-Stout student Myder Yang 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.

The food science and technology student took first place and a $300 prize for the presentation “Elevate Nutritional and Antioxidant Capacity of Fruit, Vegetable, and Cranberry Pomace Infused Value-added Cookies.”

Yang 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.

“Congratulations to Myder Yang for the excellent presentation. Communicating scientific research to a general audience is a difficult, but important skill for young researchers to develop,” said WiSys President Arjung Sanga. “Thank you to all the students that embraced the challenge to improve their public presentation skills.”

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