In November, more than 100 graduate and professional students from across various disciplines signed up to compete for scholarships and the title of UNLV Rebel Grad Slam 3-Minute Thesis Champion.
So, whose 3-minute thesis reigned supreme? Judges chose Taylor Gerson of the School of Life Sciences as the 2025 champion. At tonight's Graduate College Commencement, she'll receive her Ph.D. in microbiology.
Gerson's research is on Shigella (a highly contagious gastrointestinal infection) with a focus on the virulence genes that allow Shigella to invade human cells and cause illness. By understanding how the bacteria controls these genes — like flipping switches — researchers can figure out ways to stop infections or develop new treatments.
Research With Global Reach
Shigella flexneri is one of the major species responsible for high rates of global infection, and it has become one of the most antibiotic-resistant pathogens in the world. Gerson’s timely and impactful research resulted in several peer-reviewed journal publications as well as coverage in major media outlets.
Scientists predict deaths to reach 50 million worldwide by 2050, Gerson says. And that there is “a pressing need to identify new and novel drug targets to treat these infections.”
Gerson worked in microbiology professor Helen Wing's lab, which studies molecular interactions between bacterial pathogens and the host. She and her lab colleagues teamed up with UNLV chemist Ron Garyand together they discovered that a protein called VirB must bind to a small molecule called CTP in order for Shigella to make the genes it needs to cause infection.
Gerson’s work showed that when VirB is changed so that it can’t connect to CTP, it also can’t switch on those harmful genes — meaning the bacteria can’t invade the body. Because of this, the spot where VirB binds to CTP could be a promising drug target for developing new treatments for infections.
The Journey to UNLV and to Science Research
Gerson’s path was shaped by her upbringing in the suburbs of Chicago in a Korean family. Her mom immigrated from to the U.S. at 4 years old. She always loved science growing up, but says she envisioned a career as a performer.
She had wide-ranging interests, including playing sports and being part of the theater and choir. Her early interests led to her becoming a commercial voice major at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, but she felt like something was missing.
"People who know me are usually surprised when they hear that I'm now a Ph.D. candidate in life sciences," she says.
She switched majors to biochemistry and molecular biology and planned a pre-med track but found that she couldn't handle the thought of losing patients. So, her advisor encouraged her to explore research, which ultimately led her to apply for multiple summer internships, including the NSF Research Experience for Undergraduate program at UNLV.
The program, run by Life Sciences professors Kurt Regner and Eduardo Robleto, is where Gerson met her future Ph.D. advisor, Helen Wing. "It wasn’t until I came to UNLV for the summer that I knew I could see myself in this field,” she says.
Gerson credits the experience of being part of a lab led by women with fueling her confidence to apply for the Ph.D. program the following year. And, of course, it eventually led to her success in the Rebel Grad Slam. “Throughout my Ph.D., [Wing] worked with me on my confidence to present," Gerson says. "I wouldn’t have signed up for the Rebel Grad Slam if she didn’t help me. She commands the room when she presents. Last year’s audience choice award was from our lab."
Mentorship is a critical part of any doctoral student’s journey. The Rebel Grad Slam gives mentors and mentees the opportunity to work even more closely together.
“Gerson has been a super productive graduate student,” Wing says. “She has published four papers, with three more in the pipeline. Her published works are in top-ranked journals, and one even received the accolade of ‘Editor’s Pick.’ It’s been a joy to mentor her in research and contribute to her academic journey. I am so proud of all that she has achieved at UNLV, and I am excited to see what comes next.”
Finding Community and Common Ground
Gerson described her favorite part of the Rebel Grad Slam competition as seeing the breadth of research across campus and meeting other students. “It was great to see the camaraderie and to be inspired by younger students just starting their careers,” she says.
The hardest part, she adds, was preparing for the competition while defending her dissertation the week before and juggling teaching responsibilities. She says she overcame her nervousness by embracing her father’s advice: “If you are afraid of doing something, do it.”
By practicing with her boyfriend, who listened to her presentations countless times, she approached the competition as a celebration of her work — rather than a test. When asked what advice she would give to future competitors, Gerson says, “Do not let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game,” she says. “You never know if you don’t try. It’s a great experience to share your research, hone your presentation skills, and you might even win the whole thing.”
At UNLV, Gerson served as president and vice president of the UNLV Biology Graduate Organization (BIOS) and is a member of the American Society of Microbiology Student Chapter, where she has participated in community outreach events to teach the public about microbiology.
At the Graduate College Commencement on Dec. 16, she will become the first person in her family to earn an advanced degree. Her journey in the lab will continue at Scripps Research in San Diego, where she will work in The Racki Lab.
About UNLV Rebel Grad Slam
The UNLV Rebel Grad Slam 3-Minute Thesis competition is hosted by the Graduate College. The event is now in its 12th year and has awarded more than $14,000 in scholarships. Students advance through competitive preliminary rounds, with 35 reaching the semifinals and nine competing in the finals. Over 90 faculty and staff served as judges this year.
