REMEDI PhD researcher Joshua Chao was crowned Researchfest champion for this superb spoken word soliloquy at Inspirefest 2017.

Science Week

With just three minutes and no slides to present a PhD research subject, Researchfest challenges competing researchers to think on their feet and step out of the box to create an engaging presentation. Joshua Chao – a researcher at REMEDI, the Regenerative Medicine Institute based at NUI Galway – did so with aplomb, describing in detail the rationale, research and potential impact of his work in 180 seconds’ time, all in rhyme.

When asked about his unique presentation style, Chao explained that he was inspired by Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit Broadway musical that brings hip hop and history together in the theatre.

Chao’s research looks at how stem cells can be used as an effective therapy for critical limb ischemia (CLI), where blockages in the arteries limit blood flow to extremities, such as the hands and feet, and cause severe pain.

Words by Elaine Burke