Ashraf Abedin, Ph.D., a research scientist with Leidos who works with NETL’s Reaction Engineering Team, will represent the Laboratory at the Department of Energy (DOE) SLAM Competition on Capitol Hill, Nov. 15, 2023.

SLAM is a competition among 17 national labs that highlights DOE research programs through compelling three-minute talks by competitors from each lab.

Twelve NETL postdoctoral and early-career researchers competed to represent the Laboratory in the national phase of the competition. Each delivered a three-minute talk about their NETL research. Their presentations were judged by a panel of experts who considered each presenter’s scientific content, presentation organization and visuals, and message delivery.

The key element in the SLAM competition was an ability to present research in language appropriate for a non-technical audience while using just one PowerPoint slide.

Abedin’s three-minute presentation addressed the use of microwaves to produce clean hydrogen. Abedin will receive additional presentation training and a paid trip to the national competition in Washington, D.C. for capturing the NETL SLAM win. 

David C. Miller, Ph.D., NETL’s deputy director and chief research officer, explained that each presentation was outstanding and reflected a tremendous level of preparation.

“This inaugural group set the bar high for future NETL SLAMs,” he said. “I was impressed with their accomplishments and presentations.”

NETL SLAM competition audience members voted for their favorite presentation based on which presenter captured their attention and would resonate most with a non-technical audience. The audience named Greg Lackey, a research general engineer with NETL’s Reservoir Engineering Team as the audience choice. Lackey’s presentation was on an improved national understanding of wells and their integrity.

The audience for the November competition will include Members of Congress, congressional staff and several high-profile judges.

Abedin received his Ph.D. from the Department of Chemical Engineering, Louisiana State University in 2021. His research focuses on design, synthesis and characterization of site-specific heterogeneous catalysts to activate fossil fuels to value-added chemicals.

He has published more than 20 peer reviewed articles, including four book chapters. He has presented more than 25 national and international conference proceedings and received subawards from DOE research grants based on research proposals for clean energy projects.

“The SLAM competition is a great opportunity for our early career researchers to learn how to more effectively communicate the significance of their work to a diverse audience,” Miller said. “NETL’s participation in the first national SLAM will showcase the innovative work of our researchers to important stakeholders while also promoting collaboration and communication across DOE and the other national labs.”

NETL is a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory that drives innovation and delivers technological solutions for an environmentally sustainable and prosperous energy future. By using its world-class talent and research facilities, NETL is ensuring affordable, abundant and reliable energy that drives a robust economy and national security, while developing technologies to manage carbon across the full life cycle, enabling environmental sustainability for all Americans.