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After participating in departmental heats, competing against seven other participants, three graduate students topped ��������’s Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition on Friday, March 14. ��

3MT is an academic competition developed by the University of Queensland. Participants have just three minutes to explain the breadth and significance of their research project to a non-specialist audience. Across campus more than 119 students participated in heat events.

“This is one of my favourite events of the year,” said Kathryn Gretsinger, event emcee and associate professor of teaching at the School of Journalism, Writing, and Media. “It’s so focused on the ideas of people coming to this university, seeking to discover, connect and explore.”��

Mona Behrouzian, MASc student in Biomedical Engineering, took first place with her presentation Young Athletes, Big Decisions: Improving How Clinicians Assess Re-Injury Risk Using A Novel Data-Analysis Tool. She is developing new video-capture technology to better assess risk of injuries re-occurring in young athletes. Behrouzian will go on to represent �������� at the Western Regional Competition at the University of Victoria on May 6.��

“I am so thrilled,” said Behrouzian. “I hope to make �������� proud and represent us well, and I’m so grateful for all the support that got me this far.”��

Vienna Cheng, MSc student in Pharmaceutical Sciences, won second place and People’s Choice for her presentation A ‘Joint’ Effort: Balancing Arthritis Medications in Pregnancy. Her work researches the effects of certain arthritis medications on pregnancy, a topic with little current data but a major stressor for patients. ��

Jonas Welsch, PhD candidate in Electrical and Computer Engineering, won third place with his talk Listening to the Future — Sensor Technology for Green Aviation. He works on sensors to detect leaks in hydrogen fuel tanks, helping develop greener airplanes and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Welsch also won second place in the 3MT finals in 2023.��

3MT gives students a chance to connect across programs and learn about others’ research. All the winners emphasized the benefits of learning from their fellow students and contestants throughout the competition.��

“It’s been so amazing to see all the other contestants,” said Cheng. “All their research, all the work they put into it is so inspiring.”��

Congratulations to the winners and all 10 finalists! The finalists' presentations will be available on YouTube in April. ��

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• First Place: Mona Behrouzian, MASc in Biomedical Engineering, Young Athletes, Big Decisions: Improving How Clinicians Assess Re-Injury Risk Using A Novel Data-Analysis Tool��
• Second Place and People’s Choice: Vienna Cheng, MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences, A 'Joint' Effort: Balancing Arthritis Medications in Pregnancy��
• Third Place: Jonas Welsch, PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Listening to the Future – Sensor Technology for Green Aviation��

Finalists:��

• Hannah Anderson, MSc in Plant Science, Not just the birds and the bees: Unsung nocturnal pollinators of berry agroecosystems��
• Naomi Jung, MSc in Experimental Medicine, We Don't Talk Anymore: Disruptions to the Lacunocanalicular Network in Prostate Cancer Bone Metastasis��
• Akash Madhav Gondaliya, PhD in Chemical and Biological Engineering, Magwood: Turning Wood into a Magnetic Shield for Modern Tech��
• Tarek Ghoul, PhD in Civil Engineering, Real-time Crash Risk and Its Applications��
• Kodee Bao, MSc in Cell & Developmental Biology, The Impact of Maternal Stress on Fetal Brain Development During Pregnancy��
• Kimiya Rahmani Mokarrari, PhD in Forestry, Optimizing the Slash Supply Chain for Bioproduct Production��
• Aysha Allard Brown, PhD in Neuroscience, Early Treatments After Spinal Cord Injury: Risk or Reward?��

Thank you to our participants, judges (including 2024 3MT champion Nada Al-Emadi), hosts and organizers for the dedication and hard work that made this event possible. ��