Karthik Takes Top Prize in Speech Contest

Sharada Karthik cares about our food supply, and she won first place at a recent conference for a speech explaining how biotechnology techniques can help ensure our food crops continue to produce plenty.

The senior-year undergraduate delivered her winning speech in the impromptu competition during the MANRRS 40th Annual Training Conference and Career Expo in Dallas, Texas. Karthik is a biotechnology major and member of the UC Davis MANRRS chapter; the group’s faculty advisor is Diane Beckles, a professor specializing in biotech in the Department of Plant Sciences. 

“I am grateful I had the opportunity to practice my skills and learn how to improve them, while speaking in support of a topic that is quite relevant to my field of study,” Karthik said. “I am honored to be recognized by the National MANRRS Society, and I thank my advisors, instructors and peers at the UC Davis College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences for all their support.”

Karthik believes the skills she honed during this experience are good for any scientist interested in communicating their work.

“I am immensely proud of her accomplishment,” added Beckles.

We asked Karthik to tell us more about her experience:

Q: What was your topic?

Karthik: “I gave my speech on the topic of whether gene editing technologies, such as CRISPR, should be utilized more widely to improve crop resilience and productivity. I answered in the affirmative, as I believe these technologies will be important assets in our fight to counteract the effects of climate change.”

Q: Why did you choose this topic?

Karthik: “Through my studies at UC Davis, I have learned that the consequences of climate change are already prevalent in our environment. Issues including rising temperatures, drought and higher salinity are affecting plants, threatening our crop yield and food supply on a global level.

“I have also learned that gene editing technologies can be used to address the genetic causes behind crop vulnerability and help them better withstand these harsh conditions. I have learned about several studies in which gene editing technologies, like CRISPR, have been used to alter metabolic pathways, regulatory genes and other aspects of plant biology to improve their tolerance to common agricultural problems.

“In my speech, I highlighted the severity of these problems and gave examples of successful experiments in which certain issues were alleviated with the help of gene editing techniques. I was excited to speak in favor of these innovations for the contest, as I believe there are many ways in which they may benefit our society.

“I am greatly interested in learning about other potential applications for this technology, and I hope to be further involved in such efforts in the future.”

Q: How does this experience help you develop as a scientist?

Karthik: “This contest challenged me to take a stand on a topic, deliver a largely impromptu speech in front of a diverse audience and defend the position while fielding questions from professionals. Developing such skills improves a scientist’s ability to communicate information effectively in any environment, to audiences of a wide variety of backgrounds.

Next gen leaders

The MANRRS gathering, held in April, was a yearly resource event where students and professionals met with people from top companies, government agencies and nonprofits. The organization seeks to develop the next generation of leaders who will drive change in agriculture, STEM, natural resources and related industries.

Karthik graduated in June with a minor in music.