25-26 UCSD Essay Contest Winners

2025-26 UCSD Graduate Student ME/CFS Essay Contest Winners

We are excited to announce the winners of the 2026–2027 UCSD Student ME/CFS Essay Contest! This year’s contest invited all UCSD students to share innovative ideas, creative projects, and advocacy initiatives aimed at advancing awareness, improving care, and reimagining support for individuals living with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). The winning submissions highlight the power of interdisciplinary thinking, storytelling, and systems-level innovation in challenging misconceptions, strengthening patient-centered care, and inspiring meaningful progress for the ME/CFS community.

First Place: Ariana Lyman

Essay Title: "Designing Energy-Respectful Communication in Healthcare for People with ME/CFS"
Ariana Lyman's essay explores how small but intentional changes in healthcare communication can significantly improve access and outcomes for people living with ME/CFS. By rethinking traditional appointment structures, reducing cognitive load, and prioritizing energy-aware care practices, the piece highlights how communication design itself can become a powerful, scalable tool for creating more inclusive, patient-centered healthcare systems..

Second Place: Nicholas Lam

Essay Title: "Advancing ME/CFS Awareness and Innovation Through Public Outreach Campaigns"
Nicholas Lam's essay outlines the “Energy Is Not Endless” initiative, a multi-pillar public outreach campaign designed to transform how society understands ME/CFS. Through storytelling, evidence-based education, and strategic social media engagement, the campaign aims to counter misinformation, elevate patient voices, and foster a cultural shift that promotes compassion, awareness, and lasting structural change.

Third Place: Vivian Tran

Essay Title: "Trophy: An Animated Short Film Proposal"
Vivian Tran's animated short film proposal uses powerful visual storytelling to depict the invisible weight of living with ME/CFS. Through the metaphor of a draining battery and a burdensome trophy diagnosis, the film captures the emotional journey from dismissal and isolation to understanding and self-advocacy, offering a moving exploration of resilience, identity, and community.