Graduate students Sarah Gustitus, civil engineering, and Mehul Barde, polymer and fiber engineering, won the top prizes at Auburn Engineering’s first Finish in 5 competition.

Sponsored by the Council of Engineering Graduate Students, the competition consisted of five-minute, rapid-fire research presentations.

A panel of faculty judges scored each presenter on clarity, organization and speaking ability. Gustitus was the overall winner, and Barde won the People’s Choice, which is based on audience voting.

Gustitus’ presentation was titled “Effects of crude oil weathering on oil-mineral interactions, and implications for the mitigation of oil spills in nearshore environments.” Barde’s presentation was on “High performance bio oil-based polymers and resins.”