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Three Minute Thesis (3MT)

An annual competition for University of Rochester doctoral students

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Three Minute Thesis (3MT) is an academic competition that challenges doctoral students to describe their research to a global audience—within three minutes. Explore this page to learn more about the contest parameters, eligibility, and past winners.

2025 3MT Competition

Congratulations to the winners!

 

FIRST PLACE: Abigail Bossa – SMD – Translational Biomedical Science

RUNNER-UP:  Oviya Mohan- ASE -Brain and Cognitive Sciences           

PEOPLE’S CHOICE: Nada Ahmed Selim- SMD -Pharmacology and Physiology

Sub Heat Winners:  Miao He – SMD – Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology (CMPP) and Abigail Bossa – SMD – Translational Biomedical Science

Contest overview

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) logo

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is an academic research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia. Visit the 3MT organization’s website for more details.

Eligible doctoral students at the University of Rochester can participate, and winners will receive travel funding prizes. The competition is brought to you by the University’s Graduate Education Office and University Libraries.

Upcoming schedule

Registration will be open soon! Review additional schedule details below.

Eligibility

The competition is open to current Ph.D. and Professional Doctorate (Research) candidates who have passed their qualifying exam or are in their third year of study or greater.

Rules and judging criteria

  • A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations or ‘movement’ of any description are allowed. The slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration.
  • No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.
  • No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
  • Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum and competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified.
  • Presentations are to be spoken word.
  • Presentations are to commence from the stage.
  • Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech.
  • The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Judging criteria

Judges are drawn from diverse disciplines within the university and the broader Rochester community. Review the judging rubric for full details on the judging criteria. Judging is broken up into two major categories:

Comprehension and 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?
  • Was 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 their presentation – or did they elaborate for too long on one aspect or was the presentation rushed?
Communication and engagement
  • Did the oration make the audience want to know more?
  • Was the presenter careful not to trivialize or generalize their research?
  • Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their research?
  • Did the presenter capture and maintain their audience’s attention?
  • Did the speaker have sufficient stage presence, eye contact and vocal range; maintain a steady pace, and have a confident stance?
  • Did the PowerPoint slide enhance the presentation – was it clear, legible, and concise?

Prizes

Participants have multiple chances to win.

  • Top Two Finalists in Sub-Heat: $100
  • Final Presentation:
    • Winner: $750
    • Runner-up: $500
    • People’s Choice: $250

Registration is now closed.

  • Registration is open until 12PM October 30 2025
  • Please provide us with: Name, Thesis Title, Contact Information, School, & Degree Program UnivGradEducation@UR.Rochester.edu.

a great legacy

Past winners

Explore a list of past University of Rochester winners, including contest video recordings and image galleries where available.

Check out the list