2017 3MT UAlberta first place winner Autumn Watkinson, runner-up Zayed Almansoori and people's choice winner Farhia Haque pose with their trophies. (Photo: Gurveer Choan)
The 2017 Three Minute Thesis (3MT) UAlberta Finals were held at Convocation Hall on Thursday, April 13. Fifteen talented graduate students explained the significance of their thesis research in three minutes with the use of only one PowerPoint image. These presentations were delivered to an audience of 200 plus at Convocation Hall, and to an online audience (504 unique views) through the live streaming of the event. It was a difficult decision but the following were chosen based on the 3MT criteria of communication style, comprehension, and engagement.
First Place
Autumn Watkinson, Department of Renewable Resources, Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences won first place for her presentation, "Restoring Sagebrush Habitat for Greater Sage Grouse Recovery". In three minutes, the audience understood the importance of sage brush not only for the grouse but for the preservation of a unique prairie ecosystem. Watkinson will represent the University of Alberta at the 3MT Western Regional Competition at the University of Saskatchewan on April 28 at 1 p.m. There will be an opportunity to watch the western regionals live stream and to support her with a People's Choice Award vote on their website. Congratulations! Vote for Autumn!
Runner-up
Zayed Almansoori, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering was the runner-up for his presentation, "Improving Access to Clean Drinking Water through Nanoparticles". Zayed reminded the audience that clean drinking water is not only necessary to human survival but a basic human right. Congratulations!
People's Choice Award
Farhia Haque, Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry explained, with clarity and creativity, how rogue soldiers work (not the Star Wars kind but in our bodies) in her presentation, "Rogue Soldiers: Neurons That Help Us Walk", and won the People's Choice Award. Congratulations!
The Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR) wishes to express a big thank you to the judges: Dr. Walter Dixon, Myrna Khan and Kristina Milke. FGSR and all the 3MT finalists also extend their gratitude to the live and virtual audiences who voted for the People's Choice Award and who, through attendance, demonstrated support and interest in graduate student research. The live stream recording can be viewed on the Three Minute Thesis webpage and photos of the evening on a FGSR Facebook page photo album.