Three Minute Thesis competition is part of a worldwide presentation model pioneered by the University of Queensland in Australia

May 31, 2016

For the third year in a row, an OHSU student took first place at the state's Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition.

Drawing together students from OHSU, Oregon State University, Portland State University and the University of Oregon, Oregon's 3MT is part of a worldwide presentation model pioneered by the University of Queensland in Australia. In the 3MT model, graduate students from a myriad of disciplines are asked to synthesize complex research, distilling their thesis into a three minute presentation that must use everyday language. In Oregon, first, second and people's choice are awarded $1,000, $500 and $500.

First-place winner and doctoral student Kevin Watanabe-Smith (pictured far right) presented "Which Mutations Cause Cancer?"  Watanabe-Smith currently studies cancer biology in the lab of Brian Druker, M.D. 

Second place winner and doctoral student in biology, Adrienne Godschalx, from Portland State University presented “How, When and Where Do Plants Use Chemicals for Defense.” The People’s Choice Award was given to chemistry student Yunteng He from the Oregon State University for “Solving Protein Structures Without Crystals."

The 2016 competition was judged by Joan Foley, Portland Chapter President, ARCS, Tim Nesbitt, Former Chair, Higher Education Coordinating Commission, and Ilene Kleinsorge, Professor and Dean Emeritus, College of Business, OSU.

Congratulations to all the competitors and winners for another successful 3MT!