On Tuesday, Nov. 14, the Delaware Environmental Institute (DENIN) hosted Pitch:90, a bi-annual environmental research pitching event, at Clayton Hall.

Graduate students were given the opportunity to speak about their research for 90 seconds in front of a panel of judges and an audience full of friends, family, peers and mentors. The high energy environment, reinforced by UD alumnus and master of ceremonies Josh Lemonte, gave space for the audience and speakers to get comfortable and excited about the interdisciplinary research that students at UD and across the state are doing.

With $950 in cash prizes available, showcasing research and focusing on science communication was an important opportunity for these graduate students. Austin Morgan, a doctoral student in the Department of Chemical Engineering and the first place winner of the event, emphasized this importance.

“In the future it’s going to be pitching science, pitching projects, pitching the relevance — so the societal impact of your project, commercial impact of your project ... often it’s going to be presenting in front of a group of people and trying to convince them that what you’re doing is worth their attention, their funding,” Morgan said.

At Pitch:90, the many students who presented at the event had the opportunity to reinforce that skill and make the facts and figures of their work engaging for a broad audience. Morgan highlighted that as well when reflecting on his research and the event.

“We have to be able to translate our science in a way that non-scientists can actually be a part of the conversation,” he said.

DENIN offers more opportunities for students to communicate and showcase their scientific research alongside the Pitch:90 event, including an annual research symposium coming up in May. For more information about how DENIN supports students, visit its website.