Robert C. Perpall, a Caltech alumnus and member of the SURF Board, generously created the Doris S. Perpall SURF Speaking Awards in memory of his late wife as an incentive for students to prepare excellent final oral presentations for SURF Seminar Day.

SURFers present their research projects in parallel sessions on SURF Seminar Day in October. The session chairs identified the best speaker in each session. These students advance to a semi-final round of the competition. The students identified as the best in semi-final rounds then advance to the finals in January.

Each student will have a total presentation time of 15 minutes, including 3 minutes for questions and discussion. The prizes are awarded for presentation skill, not research results. The first place winner will receive $500; second, $300; and third, $200.