Emerging Scientist Competition
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AFGC's Emerging Scientist Competition is sponsored through the generous support of Dow AgroSciences.
The Emerging Scientist Competition is a competitive program. Upon nomination, participants are selected by the Emerging Scientist Committee and invited to participate. All participants will receive a cash award in recognition of being selected to participate in the contest.
Competitive presentations will be made at the AFGC Annual Conference and will be judged by a panel with representatives from all three sectors of AFGC membership. In addition to cash awards, 1st - 3rd place winners will receive recognition plaques.
Eligibility
Participants in the Emerging Scientist Program must first be nominated by an AFGC member (see Nomination Format below). They must not have completed their last degree more than one year prior to July 1 of the year they participate. If an academic rank is held, it can be no higher than Assistant Professor. The participant must be senior author of the competition paper and must not have placed in the top three in any previous Emerging Scientist programs. B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. students' graduates are eligible to participate.
Selection
Participants will be selected based on the quality of their research and its written summary, their speaking experience, academic achievements, participation in professional activities and the nominator's recommendations. Nominees who are not selected will be encouraged to present their research results during the volunteer papers sessions at the AFGC Annual Conference.
Judging
The competition presentation should last 10 to 12 minutes with 3 to 5 minutes for questions and discussion. The presentation will be judged based on how well the research is described and the results presented, quality of research, use of visual aids, communication effectiveness with a diverse audience and response to questions.
A total of 75 points may be awarded for the presentation in the following areas:
Presentation Technique
- Statement of Objectives - 5 pts
- Logical Organization - 5 pts
- Use and Quality of Visual Aids - 5 pts
- Effective Use of Time - 5 pts
Speaker Attributes and Audience Awareness
- Voice Level and Inflection - 5 pts
- Pace - 5 pts
- Professional in Dress and Mannerisms - 5 pts
- Enthusiasm - 5 pts
- Appropriate Technical Language - 5 pts
- Questions Answered Effectively - 5 pts
Quality of Research
- Study Designed to Meet Objectives - 5 pts
- Sound Interpretation of Results - 5 pts
- Significance (as conveyed by presenter) - 5 pts
- Creativity - 5 pts
- Knowledge of Subject - 5 pts
Nomination Format - Please include the following information:
- Name and address of emerging scientist nominee.
- Name, address and title of AFGC member nominating this emerging scientist.
- Name and address of thesis or dissertation director or major professor (if different from person nominating).
- Briefly state reasons this person is well suited to participate in the Emerging Scientist Competition. Include significant academic, professional and personal experiences.
- Give a brief biographical statement about the nominee.
Provide the title and a single-space summary of the study to be discussed.
To nominate, submit the above information by February 1, 2011, to the Emerging Scientist Program Chair, Dr. Yoana Newman, Asst. Professor, Forage Extension Specialist, University of Florida - Agronomy Dept., P.O. Box 110500, Gainesville, FL 32611, Phone: 352.392.1811, Fax: 352.392.1840, E-mail: ycnew@ufl.edu. Contact the Emerging Scientist Program Chair for more information and specific details on entering the Competition.
Please note that although nominations are due February 1, 2011, interpretive summaries/paper submissions will not be due until April 2011.
2010 Contest Winners:
1st Place:
Laura Schwer, University of Kentucky
2nd Place:
Jennifer Johnson, University of Kentucky
3rd Place: (Tie)
Emi Kimura, University of Wyoming
Christin Herbst, University of Kentucky
