FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 18, 2025
CONTACT: Daniel Jacobs
press@sciencecoalition.org
The Science Coalition Announces 2025 Winners of the Alyse Gray Parker Memorial Student Video Challenge
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Science Coalition (TSC) unveiled the winners of the Alyse Gray Parker Memorial Student Video Challenge, an annual competition that invites students at TSC member institutions to communicate the value federally funded scientific research at American colleges and universities.
This year’s first-place winners include Pennsylvania State University undergraduate students Achilles Dano, Amy Choi, Henry Pinto and Jake Kroeper; and University of Oregon graduate students Anissa Benabbas and Malvika Singhal.
Axelle Wasiak, a graduate student at Pennsylvania State University, earned the People’s Choice Award.
“The passion and creativity seen in this year’s student video challenge make it clear that young researchers are not only at the forefront of our nation’s scientific breakthroughs, but they can also effectively communicate the importance of maintaining strong government investments in basic science,” said TSC President Abigail Robbins. “Congratulations to our winners and thank you to every student who participated.”
Each year, the Alyse Gray Parker Memorial Student Video Challenge encourages graduate and undergraduate students across the country to share their perspectives on federally funded basic scientific research, highlighting what it means to them and what it means to the nation. Visit our website to learn more about the contest.
The student video challenge is named in honor of the late Dr. Alyse Gray Parker, the former associate director of federal relations at the University of Iowa and a treasured member of the TSC community. Alyse contributed her passion for science and education as a TSC board member and championed impactful storytelling that resonated with everyone. Her legacy continues to live on through the competition and the lives she touched.
Robbins added, “The videos submitted as part of this year’s competition join a chorus of voices across the country who are making the case for maintaining robust federally funded research that propels American leadership in science and technology.”
This year’s graduate winners include:
- 1st Place – Anissa Benabbas & Malvika Singhal, University of Oregon
- 2nd Place – Hannah Rae Tjelle, Washington State University
- 3rd Place – Axelle Wasiak, Pennsylvania State University
This year’s undergraduate winners include:
- 1st Place – Achilles Dano, Amy Choi, Henry Pinto & Jake Kroeper, Pennsylvania State University
- 2nd Place – Andrea Garcia, Rutgers University
- 3rd Place – Hiruni Sumanasiri, University of Iowa
This year’s People’s Choice Award went to:
- Axelle Wasiak, Pennsylvania State University
Visit our YouTube page to see all of the winning videos.
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About The Science Coalition (TSC)
The Science Coalition is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization comprised 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.