CHS Student 1 of 10 Selected as 5-Minute Fast Track Finalist

The UK Office of Undergraduate Research has announced the 8th annual 5-Minute Fast Track student research competition finalists — and a CHS student is one of the 10. These undergraduates will present their research during the final round today, Oct. 29, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in room 150 of the Healthy Kentucky Research Building.

Katie Neglia, a sophomore pre-med Human Health Sciences and Pharmacology major from Carmel, Ind., who also happens to be a Chellgren Student Fellow, will kick off the end of the competition tonight. 

Her research involves investigating the acute actions of lipopolysaccharides on smooth muscle contractions of the GI tract. 

“One of the most exciting aspects of my research is that is has allowed me to translate concepts I learn in class to real-world situations," Neglia said. 

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 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 showcase 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.

2025 top 10 finalists include:

●  Gabrielle Beacham, biology and Lewis Honors College junior; Mentor: Paulinus Chigbu, Ph.D., School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences (University of Maryland Eastern Shore)

●  Joy Bidros, biology and Lewis Honors College sophomore; Mentor: Robin Cooper, Ph.D., College of Arts and Sciences

●  Sofia Gomez Gallo, neuroscience and biology Lewis Honors College senior; Mentor: Anel Jaramillo, Ph.D., College of Pharmacy

●  Omar Hamid, agricultural and medical biotechnology and Lewis Honors College sophomore; Mentor: Lance Johnson, Ph.D., College of Medicine

●  Nikhil Kumar, biochemistry and mathematics Lewis Honors College sophomore; Mentor: Nichola Garbett, Ph.D., College of Medicine (University of Louisville); currently working with Jakub Famulski, Ph.D., College of Arts and Sciences

●  Katherine Neglia, human health sciences and Lewis Honors College sophomore; Mentor: Robin Cooper, Ph.D., College of Arts and Sciences

●  Shriya Shah, neuroscience junior; Mentor: Pavel Ortinski, Ph.D., College of Medicine

●  Lily Smith, neuroscience, biology, and chemistry Lewis Honors College sophomore; Mentor: Lance Johnson, Ph.D., College of Medicine

●  Jose Villanos, agricultural and medical biotechnology and Lewis Honors College junior; Mentor: Luke Moe, Ph.D., Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE)

●  Elizabeth Womack, neuroscience and Lewis Honors College sophomore; Mentor: Robin Cooper, Ph.D., College of Arts and Sciences

The 2025 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.

Good luck, Katie!