10 students selected as 5-Minute Fast Track finalists
The UK Office of Undergraduate Research announces the 9th annual 5-Minute Fast Track student research competition finalists. These undergraduates will present their research during the final round on Oct. 28, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in 150 Healthy Kentucky Research Building.
The 5-Minute Fast Track challenges students to present their research clearly, concisely and engagingly, with no props and one single static slide, in front of a panel of judges and a live audience. The 10 finalists will share their scholarship in a jargon-free, 5-minute talk for a general audience. This challenges students to develop their academic, presentation, and research communication skills while also allowing them to display their research in a captivating way.
Students will compete for cash prizes: $750 for first place, $500 for second place, and $250 for third place.
2026 top 10 finalists include:
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Mahmood Ateyeh, chemistry and Lewis Honors College senior; mentor: Lance Johnson, College of Medicine
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Shreya Chandrashekar, neuroscience, public health and Lewis Honors College junior; mentor: Erin Abner, College of Public Health
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Rumi Chang, chemistry senior; mentor: Chris Richards, College of Arts and Sciences
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McKenzie Frisbee, chemistry senior; mentor: Yosra Helmy, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment
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Ben Haase, neuroscience junior; mentor: Michael Bardo, College of Arts and Sciences
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Callista Huber, chemistry senior; mentor: Chris Richards, College of Arts and Sciences
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Norah Masri, biosystems engineering and Lewis Honors College junior; mentor: Samantha Zambuto, Pigman College of Engineering
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Evan Neary, neuroscience, psychology and Lewis Honors College senior; mentor: Shannon Macauley, College of Medicine
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Carson Pugh, biology and Lewis Honors College senior; mentor: Elizabeth Duncan, College of Medicine
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Isabella Soon, biochemistry and Lewis Honors College senior; mentor: Yosra Helmy, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment
The 2026 5-Minute Fast Track Oral Research Competition is sponsored by the UK Office of Undergraduate Research. The event is open to the public and will be livestreamed on Zoom.
For more information on the competition, visit https://our.uky.edu/5-minute-fast-track.