Graduate students from each department explained their complex research in under 180 seconds during the College of Life Sciences Three Minute Thesis Competition (3MT). Topics ranged from Alzheimer’s research to generating renewable energy.
Winners of the competition were awarded cash prizes. The first-place winner received $1,000, second place received $600, and third place received $300.
At the end of the event, the top three winners were announced as follows:
1st Place, Maliea Holden (PhD ‘25, MMBIO): “The Circle of Sewage”
Holden presented her research on the ways that biogas from sewage can be used as a renewable energy. Through a lively mix of sewage puns, Holden explained the biochemical processes behind the extraction of biogas. Holden then went on to win 2nd place at the university-wide 3MT competition.
2nd Place, Melissa Blotter (PhD ‘27, NEURO): “Piecing Together the Puzzle of Status Epilepticus”
Blotter aims to contribute to the scope of knowledge on status epilepticus, which leads to prolonged seizures that can cause death. She is paving the way to finding more effective medicines to treat the condition.
3rd Place, Sam Frandsen (MS ‘26, EXSC): “Volumetric Muscle Loss and Chronic Diseases”
Frandsen explained that volumetric muscle loss occurs from traumatic injuries, most often experienced by soldiers. His research deals with trends surrounding the injury and new ways to help with recovery.
Other contestants and their presentations:
- Alyson Ankeney (NDFS): Saving the Forgotten Life
- Bailey Calder (CELL): Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Change in Perspective
- Payton Carter (BIO): Using Workflow Management Systems to Accelerate Phylogenetic Research
- Kevin Royal (PWS): The Pygmy Rabbit: A Great Basin Relic
- Viema Taito (PH): Empowering Women Through Maternal Health Education