13 Scientists Compete in Research SLAM at Brookhaven Lab

March 9, 2026

Thirteen early career scientists worked to distill years of complex research into compelling three-minute talks at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory on Dec. 12, 2025.

Presenters at the third annual Brookhaven Lab Research SLAM competition shared one goal: make their cutting-edge science understandable to people of different backgrounds. Participants gave three-minute talks on their research, prepared for a general audience. A panel of judges selected the three top presenters based on assessments of their scientific content, slides, and overall presentations.

"The scientific problems we're working to solve at Brookhaven National Laboratory are important and challenging," said Interim Brookhaven Lab Director John Hill. "Communicating what we are doing and why is equally important. I thank these 13 researchers for sharing such interesting, insightful talks that explain why — for so many reasons — this work matters."

Meet the top Research SLAM presenters

Preetha Sarkar of the Center for Functional Nanomaterials (CFN) was selected as top presenter. She will represent Brookhaven Lab at the National Lab Research Slam competition on April 15 in Washington, D.C.

Sarkar highlighted her research on superconductors — materials that, at ultra-cold temperatures, conduct electricity without losing any energy. These materials can be used in "qubit" memory units for quantum computers.

The new qubits Sarkar is making will operate at temperatures an order of magnitude higher than the others. They will require far less complicated cooling systems, can retain information longer, and could be manufactured with techniques already used by the silicon industry.

"A quantum revolution is approaching," Sarkar said. "When it arrives, how we exploit it, and the benefits we yield will all depend on the quality of qubits we create."

Sarkar added, "I learned so much about communicating with different audiences while preparing for the SLAM. I'm excited and eager to tell more people about my research in Washington."

Judges awarded second prize to Steven Farrell of the National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II). Christian Lackner of the Environmental Science and Technologies Department took third. The audience voted for Toshiro Sakabe of the Collider-Accelerator Department (C-AD) to receive the People’s Choice Award.

CFN and NSLS-II are DOE Office of Science user facilities at Brookhaven Lab.

Meet all the Research SLAM participants

All 13 participants who honed their communication skills to present at the Research SLAM were:

• Ananya Chattaraj, CFN
• Dismas Choge, Accelerator Facilities Division
• Steven Farrell, NSLS-II
• Sabrina Gericke, CFN
• Raman Kumar, Instrumentation Department
• Christian Lackner, Environmental Science & Technologies Department
• Wenjie Liao, Chemistry Division
• David Park, Computing & Data Sciences Directorate
• Harikrishnan Ravichandran, Instrumentation Department
• Toshiro Sakabe, C-AD
• Preetha Sarkar, CFN
• Shaswat Tiwari, Physics Department
• Sanjanee Waniganeththi, Nuclear Science & Security Department

The judges were:   

• Martin Schoonen, Interim Deputy Director for Science & Technology
• Ann Emrick, Deputy Director for Operations
• Lisa Miller, Senior Biophysical Chemist and NSLS-II Manager for User Services, Communications, Education and Outreach
• Aleida Perez, Manager for the Office of Workforce Development and Science Education
• Mary Rogers, Small Business Liaison Officer
• Stephanie Rucco, Principal Media & Communications Specialist

This event was hosted by Brookhaven Lab’s Office of Workforce Development & Science Education.

"The Research SLAM is a great way to learn about the impressive research happening at Brookhaven," said Sharon Pepenella, who coordinated the event. "Participants learn ways to communicate more effectively, and audiences find the talks engaging and fun."

Brookhaven National Laboratory is supported by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy. The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit science.energy.gov.

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