IEM News Release

IEM Spring 2025 IAB Meeting: The Power of Speaking Science

November 4, 2025 -  On May 13th, the Institute of Engineering in Medicine (IEM) held its Spring Industry Affiliates Board (IAB) Meeting. Spring quarter’s meeting focused on professional communication, featuring an interactive seminar led by Lisel Gorell-Getz, UC San Diego theatre faculty member, professional actor, and public speaking coach.

Gorell-Getz was able to use her years of acting and public speaking to guide attendees through the fundamentals for public speaking, skills which are essential for translating complex scientific ideas to broader audiences. Gorell-Getz has helped students, professionals, and corporate teams refine their delivery and storytelling to make technical presentations engaging and accessible. 

Throughout the seminar, she led IEM members through a series of exercises designed to improve speech clarity, overcome stuttering, and manage anxiety associated with public speaking. These included breathing and grounding techniques to control nerves, vocal projection exercises to enhance presence, and improvisation-based activities to strengthen comfortability during presentations and Q&A sessions.

Participants shared that the seminar offered valuable insight into developing confidence. The audience recognized how this skill set extends beyond the lecture hall and into industry meetings, conferences, and collaborations. By incorporating professional development sessions into the IAB meeting, IEM intends to empower its community with the communication skills necessary to share research effectively.

The quarterly Industry Affiliates Board Meeting remains an important part of IEM's mission to bridge academia and industry through professional growth and interdisciplinary collaboration. Each Industry Affiliates Board Meeting offers something new to bring UC San Diego’s research community together. The next meeting will be held on December 3rd, 2025, which will focus on wearable devices.