FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 18, 2024
CONTACT: Daniel Jacobs
press@sciencecoalition.org

TSC

 The Science Coalition Announces 2024 Fund It Forward Student Video Challenge Winners

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Science Coalition (TSC) congratulates the winners of its sixth-annual Fund It Forward Student Video Challenge, which invited graduate and undergraduate students enrolled at TSC member institutions to create videos showcasing their personal connection to science and highlighting the critical need for continued federal investment in fundamental scientific research. 

This year’s first place winners include University of California Davis graduate student Deva Holliman and University of California Davis undergraduate students Nathan Cole and Kaden Stone.  

Angelique Allen from the University of Oregon (UO) won the 2024 People’s Choice Award, which is determined by a public online vote.  

“At UC Davis, we are incredibly proud of our students for their achievements in this national competition,” said UC Davis Chancellor Gary S. May. “Their videos remind us that federal investments in fundamental scientific research drive tomorrow’s breakthroughs.” 

“We’re proud that Angelique Allen, a neuroscience PhD candidate at the University of Oregon, had her video communicating her research recognized as the ‘People’s Choice’ by The Science Coalition,” said University of Oregon President John Karl Scholz. “Angelique’s video showcases some of her amazing research, using the power of storytelling to remind us all why continued federal investment in science is essential for a brighter future. At the UO, we’re committed to empowering undergraduate and graduate students by providing the tools and resources they need to not only catalyze new scientific discoveries and advancements but also communicate effectively about science.” 

“This year’s Fund It Forward Challenge highlighted the passion and creativity of students who represent the next generation of scientific leaders,” said TSC President Jill Pentimonti. “Young researchers across the country understand the critical role that federal funding plays in accelerating American innovation and discovery. Their powerful stories are a call to action for Congress to provide robust and sustainable outlays for scientific research at our colleges and universities.” 

Pentimonti added, “Congratulations to our winners and a huge thank you to every student who participated in this year’s contest. Your voices are vital to the future of American innovation and will help us secure our nation’s global competitiveness for generations to come.” 

This year’s graduate winners include:

    • 1st Place – Deva Holliman, University of California Davis 
    • 2nd Place – Mariam Ayad, University of California Santa Cruz 
    • 3rd Place – MinMin (Jessie) Sun, University of California Davis  

This year’s undergraduate winners include: 

    • 1st Place – Nathan Cole and Kaden Stone, University of California Davis
    • 2nd Place – Liza Tsyvinsky, University of California Santa Cruz 
    • 3rd Place – Julian Rivera, University of California Santa Cruz 

This year’s People’s Choice Award went to: 

    • Angelique Allen, University of Oregon 

All winning videos can be viewed here.  

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About The Science Coalition (TSC)

The Science Coalition is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization of more than 50 of the nation’s leading public and private research universities. It is dedicated to sustaining the federal government’s investment in basic scientific research to stimulate the economy, spur innovation, and drive America’s global competitiveness. Learn more at www.sciencecoalition.org.