Bhavana Komaraju Offers a Master Class on How to Transform Complex Research into a Captivating 3-Minute Conference Presentation
Manufacturing Doctoral Candidate Bhavana Komaraju has insightful advice for MEng and DEng students planning to give a three-minute presentation at a national conference.
“Don’t just think you’re among the best — know you’re the best,” she said with a smile.
Confidence, she discovered, was the key ingredient in successfully and succinctly presenting her extensive research on seatbelt safety to top leaders from elite universities, including Harvard, Princeton and Stanford, at the annual American Association for the Advancement of Science Conference in Boston February 13-15, 2025.
As she stepped on the Hynes Convention Center stage armed with more than just data and figures, her mission was to transform her research from two years on Lumbar spine Finite Element Modeling into a super compact, yet powerful three-minute narrative, capturing the critical intersection of engineering and human safety in vehicular crashes for people of all age groups by correlating quantification of measures.
With her presentation teed up on a cutting-edge interactive touchscreen, she captivated her audience — esteemed judges and intrigued visitors alike — with dynamic visualizations that made complex crash mechanics both accessible and fascinating. Her research tagline, “Ends in safety. Ends in a smile. Using engineering magic, math wizardry, and tech-savvy seat belts,” resonated with clarity and warmth, leaving a lasting impression.
“My presentation was well received,” she said. “People said it was very interesting and exciting.”
From Finite Element Models to Lasting Impressions
Presenting complex research in layman’s terms is a skill Komaraju believes will serve her well throughout her career, as the practice of explaining technical material as if to a friend gave her a fresh and engaging angle.
“Catchy taglines help,” she said. “It took time to succinctly and effectively explain the nuances of my research in three minutes. I practiced a lot in front of a monitor.”
Interestingly, being the co-chair for the CoE (college wide) 3 Minute Thesis Competition this year made it easier for her to prepare for the conference presentation.
Navigating Warmth and Assurance
The AAAS conference was a whirlwind of intellectual exchange.
Beyond the spotlight of her presentation, Komaraju dove headfirst into the heart of AAAS, navigating between exhibitor corners rich with the future of biomedical sciences and innovative manufacturing technologies.
“They had very interesting displays of everything from building algorithms, exploring medical data to building boat hulls,” she said.
Each booth was a new world to explore, tying back to her own work and offering fresh perspectives that fueled her curiosity. The connections she developed with faculty directors and fellow students were as valuable as any research finding, laying the foundation for future collaborations.
Boston’s Hogwarts Vibes
Reflecting on her experiences at AAAS, Komaraju noted the warmth and connectivity among colleagues is a necessity in academic and professional circles and success.
As the conference curtains drew to a close, Boston’s charm lingered in her mind. Her experience at Harvard Square reminded her of Hogwarts, a fictional castle and boarding school for wizards in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. The school is set in the wizarding world, which is embedded within the Muggle world.
“There was a lot of excitement in the air with students, busy flower markets, Cannolis, shake shops and restaurants,” she said. “I cannot wait for my next conference.”