The University of Texas at El Paso showcased the concision and depth of its graduate students' research during the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition on Nov. 18, perfectly distilling complex work into digestible bites. The challenge? To clearly and convincingly explain their thesis in a mere three minutes using only one slide and no props. According to UTEP Newsfeed, the event drew a lively crowd that cheered on the participants.
Competing students hailed from diverse disciplines, and the research topics ran the academic gamut. Stephen Crites, PhD, the dean of the Graduate School, praised the students' ability to "to quickly adapt their academic language to be understood by a general audience." He said in an interview with UTEP Newsfeed, "The 3MT exemplifies the core of graduate education – taking complex research and distilling it into insights that matter." The competition aims not just to test, but also to shape scholars equipped to engage a wider audience.
Prize winners walked away with more than just accolades. Soumya Nair, a doctoral student in biological sciences from the College of Science, took first place with her presentation on colorectal cancer risks among Hispanics. Valentina Sanchez-Castano, another doctoral student from the College of Engineering, secured second place with her study on the climate impact of soot-rich skies. Janine Hagar, also from the College of Engineering, won the People’s Choice Award with her multi-organoid microphysiological system thesis aimed at improving medical practices, as described by UTEP Newsfeed.
