The University of Nevada, Reno’s Graduate School hosted the preliminary rounds of the Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition earlier this month where 40 graduate students competed in front of a live audience to advance to the final round. A panel of University faculty and postdocs judged this year’s preliminary event based on students’ presentation skills, their research content and compliance with competition criteria.

This year’s top 16 finalists are facing tough competition on April 13 where they will be vying for a chance to win cash prizes.

3MT is an annual competition where master’s and doctoral students are invited to share their research in one slide and in under three minutes. This “elevator pitch” style of research presentation is an exciting challenge for graduate students, but allows them to share their research in a general and relatable context to the community at large. The Graduate School has hosted this event since 2015 and has sent recent winners to compete at regional 3MT competitions. Graduate School Dean Markus Kemmelmeier says, “3MT is one of the highlights of the year. The event shows off the power, beauty and joy of graduate education, and the high quality of work being done right here at UNR”.

A distinguished panel of judges will be scoring this year’s final event including University President, Brian Sandoval, first lady, Lauralyn Sandoval, and the Chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education, Dale Erquiaga. “We are so excited to host this event and provide a platform for graduate students to gain experience presenting their research to the public.” said Loren Pietsch, Director of Postdoctoral Affairs, Graduate Recruitment and Diversity Initiatives.

The 3MT final round of competition will be held on Thursday, April 13 at 7 p.m. in the Wells Fargo Auditorium in the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center. Students, family, faculty and community members are welcome to attend and cheer on your finalists! Eight master’s students will compete head to head followed by eight outstanding doctoral students. The top three winners in each category will take home prize money and bragging rights. You’ll be amazed to see what these scholars can fit into a three-minute presentation. You don’t want to miss this competition!

Congratulations again to our 2023 finalists!

(listed alphabetically by last name)

Master’s Category:

• Fatema Azmee
  • M.A. History
  • “On the Big-Screen: Korea's Place as a Global Actor”
• Justice Best
  • M.S. Geography
  • “Characterizing Habitat and Densities of the Mojave Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii)”
• Candi Block
  • M.A. Sociology
  • “Uncovering Gender Inequality in Spiritual Entrepreneurship”
• Geverson De Jesus Moura
  • M.S. Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • “Interlayer Shear Strength Evaluation on Composite Pavements”
• Jose Gomez
  • M.S. Mining Engineering
  • “Tailings Dams: What are They and Why They Need to be Monitored?”
• Isabel Penaloza
  • M.S. Metallurgical Engineering
  • “The Role of Air Bubbles in The Path of The Clean Energy Transition”
• Sara Perez
  • Master of Public Health (MPH)
  • "The cards are stacked against you: Measuring air quality in smoking and nonsmoking areas of Nevada casinos”
• Luke Rizzotto
  • Visual Arts MFA
  • “Loneliness among the Landforms”

Doctoral Category:

• Monika Bharti
  • Ph.D. Education - Literacy Studies
  • “Are pre-service teachers prepared enough to support Multilingual Students' (MLS) Writing?” 
• Cossette Canovas
  • Ph.D. Clinical Psychology
  • “It really does take a village: The role of support for victims of racial discrimination”
• Sheena Harvey
  • Ph.D. Education - Equity & Diversity
  • “First-Generation Low-Income U.S. Black College Woman Perspectives on the Relationship of Collegiate Fitness Programs and Social Capital”
• Kendra Isable
  • Ph.D. Anthropology
  • “Bones Tell Tales: Giving a Voice to the Historically Silenced”
• Caitlyn Orne
  • Ph.D. Cell and Molecular Biology
  • “Melioidosis Immunotherapeutic Development: Easy at 1, 2, 3!”
• Stephanie Reyes
  • Ph.D. Clinical Psychology
  • “Tracking UP Skill Use Among Latinos with Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA)”
• Keely Rodriguez
  • Ph.D. Cell and Molecular Biology
  • “Wiretapping: Exposing bacterial communication with your cells and cutting the line”
• Yu Rong
  • Ph.D. Business Administration Management
  • “Tame the Narcissistic Self: The Buffering Effect of Humility”