The Mario M. Casabona Future Scientists Program encourages students to recognize the importance of oral communication skills and the ability to discuss the results of scholarship effectively with various audiences and at all levels. The Program motivates, trains and rewards students for the preparation and delivery of effective communication of scientific research to the general public and non-science professionals. Such presentation and communication skills provide students with the capacity to be distinctly competitive and successful in their subsequent educational and career paths. The Program is evolving this semester as we introduce the Casabona Science Slam! The Mario M. Casabona Science Slam competition celebrates the ability to transform complex scientific discoveries into powerful pitches that inspire and engage!
This new competition format celebrates students’ ability to transform complex scientific discoveries into narratives that spark curiosity and understanding in broad audiences. Additionally, all participants will prepare a poster to accompany their presentation. The topic of your presentation will fall into one of the following five thematic categories:
- Newsflash!
- Recent scientific breakthroughs that deserve wider attention.
- Call to Action
- Science stories that highlight the need for change or intervention.
- Unlikely Couples
- Unexpected collaborations that led to scientific innovation.
- How Stuff Works
- Making complex processes accessible and fascinating.
- Science in Unusual Contexts
- Discoveries that emerged from surprising places or situations.
Tuesday, April 15th | 2PM-5:30PM | Center for Environmental and Life Sciences
Student Competitors
- Zombie-ant Fungus
- Rachael Adimula – Sophomore in Biology
- Would you like a Bluebell?
- Tasnim Agha Alkla – Senior in Biochemistry
- The Importance of Successful Science Communication
- Maria Fiuk – Graduate Student in Molecular Biology
- An Inner Compass: the Mysterious Science Behind Avian Magnetoreception
- Matteo Guzman – Junior in Molecular Biology
- Slime Molds: An unexpected blueprint for public transit
- Tony Li – First Year/Freshman in Chemistry
- Crash-Tested: How Airbags are Revolutionizing Motorcycle Safety
- Kira Paul – Junior in Physics
- A Tale of Two Fossils
- Noah Ramadan – Graduate Student in Molecular Biology
- Standing Strong for Science
- Melissa Spigelman – Graduate Student in Molecular Biology
- Chasing Phospholipid Ghosts : A New Way to See the Unseeable
- Tabia Tahsin – Junior in Chemistry
- From Gums to Body: Unraveling the Inflammation Link
- Kimberly Ulloa – Senior in Biology
Judges
Mario M. Casabona
Founder and Managing Partner
Casabona Ventures, LLC
Mr. Mario M. Casabona is an entrepreneur and active angel investor. In 2012, he founded TechLaunch, committed to identifying and nurturing early stage tech ventures by mentoring, coaching, and providing access to resources and capital. To date, TechLaunch has supported over 200 tech companies and mentored over 350 aspiring entrepreneurs. In 2006, he founded Casabona Ventures, investing in over 50 seed and early stage companies. In 1982, he founded Electro-Radiation Inc., which was acquired by Honeywell International (Aerospace Group) in 2004. He received the Small Business Administration National Tibbett’s Award for his contributions in technology, and was listed as one of the top five most influential persons in New Jersey technology by The Star-Ledger. He was twice recognized by the New Jersey Technology Council, (now TechUnited:NJ) first as the recipient of their Financier of the Year Award and subsequently their Legend of Technology Award. He is Chairman Emeritus of Jumpstart NJ Angel Network and Chairman Emeritus of the R&D Council of New Jersey. He also enjoys serving on the Boards of various for-profit and non-for-profit organizations. Mr. Casabona is an electrical engineer and holds twelve national and international patents in the field of satellite-based navigation and communications.
Dr. Stefanie Brachfeld
Vice Provost for Research and Interim Dean of the Graduate School
Montclair State University
Dr. Brachfeld is an accomplished researcher and elected member of the Phi Kappa Phi honor society. She has received several honors, including the Antarctic Service Medal, NSF Early Career Award, CSAM’s Sokol Faculty Fellowship and the University’s Distinguished Scholar Award. Her expertise spans marine geology, Antarctic System Science, paleoclimatology, paleomagnetism, and environmental and planetary magnetism. Dr. Brachfeld has secured over $4M in research funding from agencies such as NSF, NASA, the International Ocean Discovery Program, and the Antarctic Drilling Program, and has led or co-led five instrumentation grants. She has served on advisory boards for several NSF-funded national facilities and programs, including the Institute for Rock Magnetism and the US Polar Rock Repository. She currently chairs the Science Communication subcommittee of the U.S. Advisory Committee for Scientific Ocean Drilling and serves on the editorial board of Marine Geology.
Dr. Peter Kingstone
Dean, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Montclair State University
Dr. Kingstone serves as Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences after working as Professor of Politics and Development at King’s College London, where he co-founded and then chaired the Department of International Development. Before working at King’s, he taught in the Political Science Department at the University of Connecticut, where he was also the Director of the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies. Dr. Kingstone is author of several books on Latin America, including Crafting Coalitions for Reform: Business Preferences, Political Institutions and Neoliberal Reform in Brazil, The Political Economy of Latin America: Reflections on Neoliberalism and Development After the Commodity Boom as well as co-editor of Democratic Brazil: Actors, Institutions and Processes, Democratic Brazil Revisited, Democratic Brazil Divided and the Handbook of Latin American Politics. He has published various articles and book chapters on the subject of democratization and the politics of neoliberal economic reforms.
Dr. Keith Strudler
Dean, School of Communication and Media
Montclair State University
Dr. Strudler joined Montclair State University in 2017 as the director of the School of Communication and Media, where he now serves as the inaugural Dean. Dr. Strudler oversees the continued growth of a broad range of majors, programs, partnerships, and co-curricular activities, working collaboratively with a nationally regarded faculty and staff as well as industry and community partners. Prior to coming to Montclair, Dr. Strudler served as the founding director of the Marist College Center for Sports Communication, where he built key professional partnerships; created several signature events, including the Lifetime Excellence in Sports Communication Award; and led a range of research initiatives. He also served several years as the communication department chair at Marist in addition to a long tenure as a faculty member at the College, where he built one of the nation’s first degree programs in sports communication. An active media scholar, Dr. Strudler’s research focuses on the intersection of sports and media, and he has published on topics ranging from televised sports heroes to the portrayal of race in sports television to the use of emerging technologies in sports spectatorship. Dr. Strudler is an expert source for national and international media outlets and remains an active sports media professional, currently serving as a long-time weekly sports commentator for Northeast Public Radio (WAMC), an NPR affiliate that spans across seven states in the Northeast. Other past professional work include sports commentary for PBS NewsHour, co-hosting a weekly sports program for an ESPN affiliate, and serving as a sports columnist for the Poughkeepsie Journal.
Frequently Asked Questions
- I haven’t participated in faculty-led research or worked in a lab, can I still participate in the Casabona Science Slam?
- Yes! Unlike our traditional research-based competition, the Casabona Science Slam focuses on science storytelling. In other words, we are looking for students to communicate science in ways that spark curiosity and understanding in others. Your presentation should demonstrate not only your understanding of the scientific story you wish to share but also your ability to craft a presentation that resonates with a broad audience.
- Do I have to apply or be nominated by a faculty member?
- No, there is no formal application or nomination needed. However, all students interested in participating must complete an interest form to let us know they’d like to participate.
- How do I choose a topic?
- The most compelling science communicators don’t just inform—they ignite new ways of thinking. You want to think about what aspects of science have inspired and/or captivated you—whether from your coursework, independent reading, personal experiences or elsewhere. The most compelling stories are told by speakers who are passionate about their topic so choose something that excites you!
- Do I have to have my topic confirmed before I submit the interest form?
- Absolutely not! It’s important to complete the interest form as soon as possible, as it allows us to assess student interest in the program, helping us plan more effectively. Although the topic you indicate on your interest form does not have to be the one you end up presenting, you do want to firm up your topic sooner rather than later.
- Does my topic have to be related to my major?
- No. Although your topic must be science based, and you must be pursuing a CSAM major or program, it does not need to be directly connected to your major. For example, if you are majoring in Biology, maybe your topic leans more towards Chemistry. However, your topic does need to fall into one of the following thematic categories:
Newsflash! – Recent scientific breakthroughs that deserve wider attention
Call to Action – Science stories that highlight the need for change or intervention
Unlikely Couples – Unexpected collaborations that led to scientific innovation
How Stuff Works – Making complex processes accessible and fascinating
Science in Unusual Contexts – Discoveries that emerged from surprising places or situations
- I’m having trouble narrowing down my topic, will someone be able to help me flesh out the details and narrow down my choice? What about helping me develop the presentation?
100%! By participating in the Casabona Science Slam, you will receive coaching from seasoned communicators and faculty specializing in science communication. Additionally, you will be invited to participate in a 2 ½ hour workshop with a professional communication consultant to help hone and refine your ideas, presentation skills and confidence.
- How long does my presentation need to be? Is that the only part of the competition?
- In this competition, you’ll craft and give a five-minute compelling presentation. Additionally, all participants will create an informational poster which will be presented during a poster session immediately prior to the oral portion of the event.
- Does the winner of the competition receive a prize?
- Yes! Cash prizes will be awarded to students finishing in first, second and third place; $2000, $1500 and $1000, respectively. Additionally, audience members will vote for the audience favorite award. But that’s not it!
- Not only do the top three presenters win big cash prizes, all participants will have an impressive new highlight to add to their resumés, recognizing excellence in science communication.
- How are the winners chosen?
- A distinguished panel of judges will evaluate students on their ability to transform complex scientific discoveries into interesting and engaging narratives.
- If I’ve participated in the Casabona Future Scientists competition in the past, am I eligible to participate in the science slam?
- Absolutely! This is a new competition focused on effective science storytelling, not presenting research. Both approaches play a vital role in science, and we will host the research-focused Casabona Future Scientists Competition during the fall term.
- When is the Casabona Science Slam happening?
- The competition will be held on Tuesday, April 15th from 2-5:30PM in the Center for Environmental and Life Sciences (CELS) atrium and room 120. A poster session will precede the oral presentations, which will then be followed by an award ceremony. The event will conclude with a reception in the atrium, offering a chance to network with judges, peers and faculty while celebrating your achievement with friends and family.
- What if I have more questions?
- If you have any additional questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to the CSAM Dean’s Office via email at csam-deans-office@montclair.edu.