Graduate College 3MT Competition
Meet the 2018 Final Round Participants
| Name |
Major |
Title |
| Carmen Reynolds |
Nutritional Science |
How a Vitamin D Metabolite Regulates Calcium Absorption |
| Andrew Downs |
Electrical Engineering |
Preventing Catastrophe: Advancing the Science of Non-destructive Evaluation |
| Jeffrey Rokkum |
Psychology; Human Computer Interaction |
On Anxiety and Multitasking |
| Yueyi Jiao |
Electrical Engineering |
Flexible Strain Sensor for Structural Health Monitoring |
| Kelsey Fisher |
Entomology |
Monarch Butterfly Movement Ecology |
| Rainie Nelson |
Chemical Engineering |
Shining A Light: The Power of Perovskites |
| Graham Redweik |
Microbiology |
A Tale of Two Immunogens: Unique Responses to Live Supplements in Chickens |
| Manreet Singh Bhullar |
Food Science and Technology |
The Fate of Fallen Produce |
In the fall of each year, the Graduate College sponsors a Three-Minute Thesis Competition to challenge
Iowa State graduate students to clearly and concisely articulate their research to a non-specialist
audience. Participants are provided three minutes and one static slide to convey their message. The
2018 competition accommodated approximately 80 participants in eight preliminary heats and the final
event consisted of a winner representing each heat. Timelines and guidelines for the 2018 3MT are
listed below. Enjoy the videos of award winners’ presentations or the entire final competition.
Participation Timeline
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- September 24, 2018: Application deadline to be considered for the 3MT competition.
- October 4, 2018: Applicants will be notified regarding their selection for the 3MT competition.
- October 8, 2018, 6:00 p.m. at 2105 Pearson: Information Session. Competitors must attend one of two Information Sessions.
- October 9, 2018, 6:00 p.m. at 2105 Pearson: Information Session. Competitors must attend one of two Information Sessions.
- October 18, 2018: Contestants need to have the exact titles of their presentations and their slides submitted
to the Graduate College.
- October 23, 2018, 2:10 - 5:00 p.m.: Preliminary Heats. Rooms to be announced.
- November 5, 2018, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at 2157 Pearson: Final Competition
- March 20 - 22, 2019: Regional Competition for the Midwest Association of Graduate Schools. (Winner must be
able to attend.)
What is 3MT?
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Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) celebrates the exciting research conducted by master’s or Ph.D. students around the
world. Developed by The University of Queensland, the competition cultivates students’ academic,
presentation, and research communication skills. Presenting in a 3MT competition increases students' capacity to
explain their research in three minutes in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience. Competitors are
allowed one PowerPoint slide, but no other resources or props.
Eligibility
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Participants must be currently enrolled in a master's or Ph.D. degree program that requires students to conduct
their own research (dissertation or thesis). Participants must be available to participate in the November 5th,
2018 competition held on campus.
Prizes
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Each contestant who advances to the Final Round will receive a certificate. The Grand Winner will receive a $500
cash prize, an all-expense-paid trip to the annual conference of the Midwest Association of Graduate
Schools (MAGS), March 20 - 22, 2018, in St. Louis, Missouri, and be entered to participate in the Regional
3MT Competition. A $250 Honorable Mention (decided by judges) and $250 People’s Choice Award will also be
awarded.
Judging Criteria
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Winners will be determined by a panel of judges using the official 3MT competition rubrics. Judges for the
initial heats will be invited from the Iowa State University faculty and staff and the local community. Judges
for the final competition will be well-known Iowa constituents.
Comprehension & 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?
- Were 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 the presentation, or was the presentation rushed?
Did (s)he elaborate for too long on one aspect of the presentation?
Engagement & Communication
- Did the oration make the audience want to know more?
- Did the presenter work to emphasize the significance and application of his/her research?
- Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for his/her research?
- Did the presenter capture and maintain his/her audience's attention?
- Did the speaker have sufficient stage presence, eye contact and vocal range? Did the speaker maintain a
steady pace and have a confident stance?
- Did the PowerPoint slide support the verbal message of the speaker and add clarity and impact to his/her words?
Contact
3MT Committee (3mtcompetition@iastate.edu):
Sarah Huffman
Katie Blair
Denise Vrchota
Judy Strand
2018 3MT winners
Winner: Rainie Nelson
Major: Chemical Engineering
Presentation: Shining A Light: The Power of Perovskites
Runner Up: Andrew Downs
Major: Electrical Engineering
Presentation: Preventing Catastrophe: Advancing the Science of Non-destructive Evaluation
People’s Choice Award: Manreet Singh Bhullar
Major: Food Science and Technology
Presentation: The Fate of Fallen Produce
Thank you to all the volunteers (3MT committee, judges, time keepers, door keepers, and food set up people) that
made the Three-Minute Thesis competition possible!