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Oct. 23, 2025: The Countdown Is On: 90 Seconds to Wow at the 2025 Nutshell Games!

October 23: Packed with wild ideas like “poop to the rescue,” “rubber that fixes itself,” and “listening to the coldest whisper in the universe," the 2025 Nutshell Games will be just as fun for the audience as it is for the speakers. You’re invited to experience the excitement on Thursday, October 23, at 5:30 p.m. at the Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech! Free and open to the public.

    In just 90 seconds each, 30 Virginia Tech graduate students will rise to the challenge, take the stage, and share their work in ways that are engaging, clear, and meaningful. No jargon. No slides. Just brilliant ideas, told from the heart.

This year’s presenters represent research from across Virginia Tech, including the

  • College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • College of Engineering
  • College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences
  • College of Natural Resources and Environment
  • College of Science
  • Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine

    And there’s more at stake than bragging rights. Five awards will be given — three from our judging panel of campus and community representatives, including two 7th graders, who ensure communication is grounded and accessible.

     And, for the first time ever, the Nutshell Games will also give out an Audience Choice Award you’ll help decide live at the event and a prize for the most-watched talk on our YouTube channel in the first weeks following the event! Each winner’s home department will receive $500 for the winner's use in program-sanctioned research costs or conference participation.

    From topics like Sri Lankan Indigenous knowledge to detecting melanoma without a scalpel, this year marks our tenth Nutshell Games! The event's lasting appeal?  It’s a one-of-a-kind chance to learn about fascinating research in just over an hour, cheer on students as they communicate beyond their comfort zones, and have fun connecting with your community. 

     The evening will have you leaning in and leaving inspired. 

    So mark your calendar and join us at the 2025 Nutshell Games. Bring a friend, cheer for your favorites, and see how graduate students are shaping the future of science, technology, and society, all in a nutshell.

When: Thursday, October 23, 2025 – 5:30 p.m.
Where: Anne and Ellen Fife Theatre, Center for the Arts, Virginia Tech
Cost: Free and open to the public

Nutshell Games rules

  • Time: Presentations are limited to 90 seconds maximum. Timing will begin when the presenter starts the presentation through speech or movement.
  • Props: No PowerPoint slides are permitted. No additional electronic media (e.g., sound and video files) are permitted. One prop is permitted (for example, a piece of lab equipment or a photograph).
  • Presentations are to be spoken prose (i.e., no songs, poems, or raps).
  • Presentations are to begin in front of the audience.
  • The judges' decision is final.

Nutshell Games judging criteria

  • Did the presenter capture and keep the audience's attention?
  • Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for the research?
  • Did the presentation make the audience want to know more?
  • Was the research communicated in language appropriate to a public audience?
  • Did the presenter communicate the significance and background of the research?
  • Did the speaker have good eye contact and an interesting vocal range?
  • Did the presenter convey confidence in the research?

This year’s presenters:

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

  • Bhaswati Chowdhury, Food Science and Technology

  • Matthew Mair, Agricultural and Applied Economics
  • James Moloney, Biochemistry
  • Madisen Plunkert, Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education
  • Pabina Pokharel, Biochemistry

  • Madhvi Singh, Food Science and Technology

College of Engineering

  • Gabriel C. Briggs, Chemical Engineering
  • Adwait HogePatil, Aerospace and Ocean Engineering
  • Emily Matthews, Civil & Environmental Engineering
  • Beyza Nur Guler, Engineering Education
  • Binita Saha, Macromolecular Science and Engineering
  • Jai Sharma, Electrical and Computer Engineering

College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences

  • Aline de Souza, Alliance for Social, Political, Ethical, and Cultural Thought

  • Modiu Olaguro, Mathematics Education

College of Natural Resources and Environment

  • Sithuni M. Jayasekara, Geography
  • Anu Rai, Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation

College of Science

  • Jonathan Gendron, Economics

  • Chaturanga Wengappuliarachchige,  Physics

  • Ibukun Olusola, Physics

  • Gabe Isaac, Neuroscience

  • Chizoba Obunadike,  Chemistry

  • Axel Campos, Physics

  • Matthew Dupuis, Chemistry 

  • Beija K. Gore, Biology

  • Egor Kolesnikov, Physics

Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine

  • Priscilla Atim- Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences
  • Marianne Beaulieu- Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences
  • Mahfuzul Islam- Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences

     Parking is available .2 miles from The Center for the Arts at the North End Parking Garage (paid parking) and in the Squires Parking Lot (free parking after 5 p.m.).  Handicapped parking is available on-site. Click here for a parking map and more information.

    If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Erin Smith at erinmsmith@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.