Skip to main content
College of Veterinary Medicine

CPB Graduate Student Wins Runner-Up Prize in Purdue “Say it in 6” Competition

A man is standing on a stage holding a large check that reads "SII6 Runner-Up, $500". The man is wearing a dark gray suit and is standing in front of a blue stage curtain.
CPB Graduate Research Assistant Shyamkumar T.S. claimed 2nd prize in Purdue’s annual Three Minute Thesis® competition on April 22. (Photo by Image Source Photography, David Mason)
May 8, 2026

Graduate Research Assistant Shyamkumar T.S. in the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Comparative Pathobiology was recognized as the runner-up in a unique graduate student competition at Purdue this spring.  The contest is called, “Say It In 6®” and requires graduate students and postdoctoral scholars to tell their research story with only one picture and just a six-word caption.  

Three individuals are standing in honor of an award. Two men are on the left and center, and a woman is on the right. The man in the center is holding the award.
Shyamkumar T.S. received the Say It In 6 runner-up prize from Associate Vice Provost, Dr. Kevin Gibson, and Senior Vice Provost, Dr. Haley Oliver-Jischke, at a ceremony April 23 in the Purdue Memorial Union Faculty Lounges. (Photo by Image Source Photography, David Mason)

The competition is based on SMITH magazine’s “Six-Word Memoirs” concept. Each year, Purdue’s Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars (OGSPS) awards first- and second-place prizes in the competition as well as the People’s Choice award.  The awards are presented at a spring ceremony where the winning entries are placed on display.  

T.S. won the $500 2nd place prize by successfully conveying his story about his research experience in a clear, concise and creative way, using a single image and the title “Shining Light on Life’s Hidden Beginnings.”

The competition is open to all graduate and professional students, non-degree students, and postdoctoral fellows at Purdue. Congratulations to Shyamkumar T.S. and his major professor, Dr. Viju Pillai, assistant professor of anatomic pathology!

Writer(s): Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

DVM and Veterinary Technology students gain job opportunity insights at fall PVM Career Fair

Purdue Veterinary Medicine's Fall Career Fair brought veterinary and veterinary technology students together with employers on October 30 at the Purdue Memorial Union. Students explored career opportunities, internships and externships while meeting representatives from veterinary practices and organizations.

In Memory: Dr. Mary Beth Leininger (PU DVM ’67)

Purdue Veterinary Medicine remembers Dr. Mary Beth Leininger (DVM 1967), who died November 6, 2026, at age 83. The first woman elected president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, she spent nearly three decades in private practice and held leadership positions in veterinary medicine, industry and education.

“Paws Up” for Kayla Fuqua – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

Kayla Fuqua, the day-shift Emergency and Critical Care receptionist at our veterinary hospital, is this week's Paws Up honoree. A colleague recognized her for supporting clients, coworkers and veterinary students, answering questions and helping her department during busy shifts.

MMAS Symposium at Purdue provides hands-on learning about Medicine of Mammalian and Avian Species

More than 80 participants joined Purdue Veterinary Medicine's 2026 Medicine of Mammalian and Avian Species Symposium on October 31 and November 1. Organized by the Exotic Animal Club, the two-day event combined presentations on exotic animal medicine with hands-on training in parrot handling, rabbit examinations, avian clinical pathology and other specialized topics.

Costumed characters boost Halloween spirits in Lynn Hall

Halloween brought Minions, the Lorax, Super Mario Bros. characters and plenty of other costumes to Purdue Veterinary Medicine. Students, faculty and staff celebrated with costume contests, trick-or-treating and a Halloween dessert competition in Lynn Hall, the Reed ADDL and the Veterinary Hospital.