Thanks to Professor Philip Massey (UCLA Ph.D. Public Health) and Do Good LA team member, I learned about the Falling Walls Lab competition that was to take place on October 3 at UCLA. As a fan of fast pitch competitions, I knew that I was in for a treat. So, I made the trek from Pasadena to Westwood in rush hour traffic to attend.
And I was glad I did. Fourteen graduate student contenders, selected from a field of 50, presented their impressive and innovative solutions to vexing challenges related to the environment, health, education, relief efforts and civil society. In 3-minute, TED-style talks, the candidates made their persuasive pitches. Jurors determined the three finalists:
- First place: Kevin McFarland, M.B.A candidate, "Breaking the Wall of Results-Based Education"
- Second place: David Hsieh, Ph.D. candidate in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, "Breaking the Wall of Mutation Rates in Cancer"
- Third place: Jerrid Matthews, Ph.D. candidate in Computer Science, "Breaking the Wall of Skin Cancer"
The finalists will travel next month to Berlin for an international competition. They will be the only representatives from the United States. Congratulations and best wishes to Kevin, David and Jerrid!
See this link for additional information on the UCLA Falling Walls Lab.
