SRNL Holds Research SLAM Competition
SRNL held its third annual Research SLAM August 13 at the Aiken Community Theater, where a panel of judges listened to presentations by eight early-career SRNL researchers.
The presenters provided three-minute summaries of their scientific work in a fast-paced, engaging competition to showcase their role in advancing innovation. First and second place winners were announced at the competition, along with a “people’s choice” winner chosen by the audience.
First-place winner Austin Abbott, a scientist in the laboratory’s nuclear measurements group, spoke on adapting stellar photographic detection processes to improve nuclear contamination detection. Abbott will now represent SRNL at the National Lab Research SLAM in Washington at a date to be determined. When asked how he condensed his research into a three-minute presentation, Abbott responded, “I practiced with my wife until she approved.”
Austin Abbott presents his topic during the 2025 SRNL Research SLAM. Photo by Chance Briley, SRNS
The National Lab Research SLAM brings together the individual winners of the 17 national laboratories to present their cutting-edge research. Each national laboratory’s Research SLAM competition highlights the importance of effective, easy-to-understand science communication with the public while providing visibility into scientific disciplines and research.
“This was a wonderful event that brought our lab and community together to support these early-career researchers and share our highly technical work with a non-technical audience,” said SRNL Director Johney Green. “We not only heard about the incredible science being done at the lab, but we also helped build our researchers confidence and strengthened public interest in what we do.”
The SRNL event was emceed by Dee Griffin, an anchor and reporter for WJBF television in Augusta, and the judges panel consisted of Chad Crumbaker from Aiken Technical College, Allison Hamilton from Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness, Jim Tunison from the Aiken Chamber of Commerce, Melissa Frank-Alston from Augusta Technical College along with Stephen Stamper and Ming Zhou, both from the U.S. Department of Energy.
SRNL Director Johney Green (center) stands with the 2025 SRNL Research SLAM participants following the presentation of awards. Photo by Chance Briley, SRNS
The other SRNL scientists who participated in SRNL’s Research SLAM were:
- Genevieve Coe, who placed second in the competition, is a postdoctoral research associate working to develop cost-effective, eco-friendly and efficient technologies for the rapid detection and removal of heavy metals and radionuclides from waterways
- Bronson Lynn, who was the people’s choice award winner, is a postdoctoral research associate focused on hydrogen isotope separation processes for the nuclear fusion fuel cycle and tritium interactions with fusion-relevant materials
- Thinh Tran, a postdoctoral researcher using his expertise to study materials designed for nuclear waste immobilization as well as magnetic materials for quantum computing
- Nathan Wilson, a postdoctoral research associate focused on producing and testing simulants for legacy radioactive waste and materials testing
- Steven Demers, a research scientist working on trace radioisotope detection and the separations of nuclear byproducts
- Venus Amiri, a postdoctoral research associate who focuses on modeling mixing in tanks ranging from a few gallons to over a million gallons
- William Johnson, a research associate who develops technologies and strategies for their use in nuclear weapons verification and treaties
People’s choice award winner Bronson Lynn, second place winner Genevieve Coe and first place winner Austin Abbott (from left) pose with their trophies following the 2025 SRNL Research SLAM competition. Photo by Chance Briley, SRNS