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Final Rounds

 

What is 3MT?

The 3MT is an important international competition that aims at celebrating research conducted by doctoral and masters students. According to the University of Queensland, founder of the event, the 3MT “cultivates students’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills”.

Participants have three minutes and a single static slide to effectively explain their research in a language that is appropriate to a non-specialist audience.

 

Why participate?

Participating in the 3MT competition is a valuable opportunity to enhance your communication and research presentation skills while contributing to Michigan Tech’s vibrant research culture. Top competitors and the People’s Choice winner will also receive cash prizes.

Moreover, winners of the Michigan Tech 3MT competition earn the chance to represent the university at regional, national, and potentially international levels, opening doors for exceptional networking and professional development opportunities.

Competition Info

Michigan Tech’s 2024 Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition is set for November 7, 2024, at the Isle Royale Ballroom in the Memorial Union Building.

Schedule:

  • Preliminary Rounds: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • Finals: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Cash Prizes:

  • First Place: $300
  • Second Place: $200
  • People’s Choice Award: $100
 
 

Competition Rules

  • A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations or ‘movement’ of any description are allowed. The slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration.
  •  No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.
  • No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
  • Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum and competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified.
  • Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps or songs).
  • Presentations are to commence from the stage.
  • Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech.
  • The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Participant Training

GSG is organizing a training session to give participants the opportunity to practice their presentations and receive feedback from other participants and mentors. This session will help participants refine their presentations, identify overly technical sections, and make improvements ahead of the competition. The 3MT Workshop will take place from Wednesday, October 30, to Friday, November 1, in the J. Robert Van Pelt and John and Ruanne Opie Library, Room 244.

Past Winners

2023 Winners

First Place: Gustavo Bejar Lopez (Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences) PhD

An interdisciplinary approach for the characterization of lahars on Volcán de Fuego, Guatemala

Second Place: Ellianna Sempek (Biological Sciences) MSc

Investigating the Mitochondrial Function of miRNA-483 Deficient Pancreatic Islets

People’s Choice: Cody Tuftee (Biomedical Engineering) PhD

Drug Eluting Granular Hydrogel Scaffolds as an Immunomodulatory Cornea Wound Sealant

2021 Winners

1st: Priyanka Kadav
2nd: Emily Shaw
PC: Yue Emily Kang

2020 Winners

1st: Jordan Ewing
2nd: Ninad Mohale
PC: Jordan Ewing

2019 Winners

1st: Jacob Blazejewski
2nd: Sagar Patil
PC: Jordan Ewing

2018 Winners

1st: Niranjan Miganakallu
2nd: Stephania Vaglica