Education

Science in a Flash: The ASBMB flash talk competition

Science in a Flash is not the usual scientific presentation, it is a creative challenge: How do you explain your research to a general audience in just three minutes and one slide? This annual competition features short talks from selected presenters who are challenged to distill their research to its essence and make it more accessible to the nonexpert audience, including policymakers, family and friends, K–12 students, teachers and others.

Each year, the ASBMB Science Outreach and Communication Committee selects up to 10 graduate student and postdoc annual meeting travel awardees to present their work. Presenters are judged by a panel of committee members, and attendees play a major role in selecting the best talk for the audience choice award. At #DiscoverBMB 2023, we hosted the fourth annual flash talk competition.

Do you want to learn more about crafting your own flash talk? Below are helpful resources and example presentations showcasing past winners. For more guidance or information email us at: outreach@asbmb.org.

Science in a Flash: The ASBMB flash talk competition image

Resources

Examples of flash talks

This YouTube playlist features the three winning talks given at the 2022 Science in a Flash competition.

Guide

How to create a flash talk

Quick tips for creating a flash talk that anyone can use to think about how to present an impactful research pitch in a short period of time.
Webinar

Science in a Flash: How to give a successful flash talk

If you had just one figure, three minutes and a microphone to describe your research — could you do it?
Website

Make your own science figures and illustrations

Biorender allows you to browse pre-made icons and templates from various fields of life science.
Website

Make your talk accessible to any audience

De-Jargonizer is a helpful tool to analyze the amount of jargon (or specialized language) in your writing or script.
Website

Use analogies

Learn from Lifeology: How to create an analogy for science communication.
Website

Practice distilling your core message

Half Life is an AI-based tool that can help you hone your message.
Guide

Make your story relatable

The 3M Scientists as storytellers guide offers advice on how to make your story captivating and inclusive.

2025 flash talk competition

First

Zoe Schaefer

Zoe Schaefer

  • University of Florida

Bookmarks for the immune system

Second

Shukurah Anas

Shukurah Anas

  • Michigan State University

No oxygen, no problem: BSS eats oil spills for lunch

Audience choice

Vanshika Patel

Vanshika Patel

  • University of Maryland, Baltimore

Vitamin A and ERK signaling: A dynamic duo against asthma

Other participants

Ram Aasarey

Ram Aasarey

  • All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
Charles Agbavor

Charles Agbavor

  • University of Pittsburgh
André Lira da Silva

André Lira da Silva

  • Oregon Health & Science University
Patricia Makori

Patricia Makori

  • Loma Linda School of Public Health
Mari Nakashima

Mari Nakashima

  • University of Washington
Irene Stoutland

Irene Stoutland

  • University of Wisconsin–Madison
Yifan Wang

Yifan Wang

  • University of Tokyo