Three Minute Thesis (3MT®)

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, etc.) 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 front of the theater.
• 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.

Comprehension and Content

• Did the presentation provide an understanding of the background to the research question being addressed and its significance?
• Did the presentation clearly describe the key results of the research including conclusions and outcomes?
• Did the presentation follow a clear and logical sequence?
• Was the thesis topic, key results and research significance and outcomes communicated in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience?
• Did the speaker avoid scientific jargon, explain terminology and provide adequate background information to illustrate points?
• Did the presenter spend adequate time on each element of their presentation - or did they elaborate for too long on one aspect so that other aspects of the presentation felt rushed?

Engagement and Communication

• Did the oration make the audience want to know more?
• Was the presenter careful not to trivialize or generalize their research?
• Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their research?
• Did the presenter capture and maintain their audience's attention?
• Did the speaker have sufficient stage presence, eye contact and vocal range; maintain a steady pace, and have a confident stance?
• Did the PowerPoint slide enhance the presentation - was it clear, legible, and concise?

Step 1: Apply to 3MT® (Required)

Step 2: Participate in Prep Workshops (Optional)

Step 3: Register for the 3MT® Competition (Required)

Step 4: Participate in the Finalist Prep Workshops (Optional)

Introduction to the 3MT®

This workshop is open to all graduate students and postdocs. Come for an overview of what the Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition is and what makes a good 3MT®, from content to audience to the way you present your research, orally and visually. Attendance can be in-person or virtual. 

When: December 10, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Where: Hamel Recreation Center room 107C or via Zoom

Register here

3MT® Prep Workshop Series

These workshops are for graduate students who apply and are accepted into the 3MT® program.  This workshop series is optional but is a great way to set yourself up for success in the preliminary round! Participants are expected to come to these workshops with their work prepared and ready to engage in feedback sessions. Students who are accepted into the 2025 3MT competition will receive $200 scholarship for participating in the competition.

In the 3MT® workshop series, accepted participants will find a wealth of opportunities to prepare for the competition effectively. These sessions focus on honing your talks, creating an effective 3MT® slide, and providing tips for a strong stage presence. Details about each session are coming soon. You can find the list of workshops from last year here. 

3MT® Finalists Workshop Series

This phase is for the students who have progressed past the preliminary rounds of the 3MT® to the final competition on March 18. Each finalist will receive a $200 scholarship for making it to the final stage of the competition. The winner will advance to the regional 3MT® competition.

There are scholarship prizes for the top 3 competitors and the People’s Choice award winner.

1^st Place - $1000
2^nd Place - $750
3^rd Place - $500
People's Choice - $500

2023

• 1^st place: Melanie Smith, Master's Student in Marine Biology
• 2^nd place: Manjot Rekhi, PhD Student in Earth and Environmental Science
• 3^rd place: Diana Reyes Gomez, PhD Student in Agricultural Sciences
• People's Choice Award: Ava Boutilier, Master's Student in Biochemistry

2022

• 1^st place: Sathya Jagadeesan, PhD student in Chemical Engineering
• 2^nd place: Nikolai Matukhno, Master's Student in Mechanical Engineering
• 3^rd place & People’s Choice Award: Nick Pollak, PhD candidate in Chemistry

2021

• 1^st place: David Heit, Msc Wildlife and Conservation Biology
• 2^nd place: Via D'Agostino, MFA Fiction Writing
• 3^rd place: Hannah Lightcap, PhD Psychology
• People’s Choice Award: Jess Flarity, PhD English Literature

2020

• 1^st place: Jordan Pierce, MS Oceanography
• 2^nd place: Allison Giannotti, PhD Composition & Rhetoric
• 3^rd place: Isaiah Paolo Atienza Lee, PhD Molecular and Evolutionary Systems Biology
• People’s Choice Award: Danial Mirzaiyanrajeh, PhD Civil & Environmental Engineering
• People’s Choice Runner Up: Kerry Dykens, MS Oceanography

2019

• 1^st place: Sidney Birch, PhD Molecular & Evolutionary Systems Biology
• 2^nd place & People’s Choice Award: Zane Relethford, PhD Chemistry
• 3^rd place: Katherine Ineson, PhD NRESS

2018

• 1^st place: Jovana Milosavljevic Ardeljan, PhD Education
• 2^nd place: Devon O'Rourke, PhD Molecular and Evolution Systems Biology
• 3^rd place & People’s Choice Award: Kaitlyn Belknap, M.S. Genetics

2017

• 1^st place: Drummond Biles, PhD, Mechanical Engineering
• 2^nd place: Meagan Wengrove, PhD Ocean Engineering
• 3^rd place: Ryan Stevens, PhD Natural resources
• People’s Choice Award: Rev. Holland Prior, MFA Creative Nonfiction
• People’s Choice Runner Up: Jovana Milosavljevic Ardeljan, PhD Education

2016

• 1^st place & People’s Choice Award: Lesley Atwood, PhD Agroecology
• 2^nd place: Susan Deily Swearingen, PhD History
• 3^rd place: Maria Marin Jarrin, PhD Oceanography