Suffolk Reporter

Twelve graduate students from Stony Brook University took part in the institution's annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition on March 28. The event concluded with Sai Abasolo, a doctoral candidate in biomedical engineering, emerging as the winner. Her presentation titled "Growing Bones: Body Not Included" focused on her research in tissue engineering, a field essential for the future of medicine. Abasolo expressed her fascination with regenerative medicine and its potential to restore lost function.

The 3MT competition allows graduate students to present their dissertation research findings to a general audience within three minutes, supported by a single PowerPoint slide. It is an academic research communication initiative developed by The University of Queensland, Australia. The goal is for students to use strong communication skills to make their research clear and engaging while avoiding technical jargon. This gives the audience insight into current studies and future possibilities in various academic disciplines.

Participants also received guidance from research communication experts, including techniques from the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science. Celia Marshik, dean of The Graduate School, expressed her enthusiasm for the event: “It’s always such a joy to hear about the amazing research that our graduate students and postdocs are doing on this campus."

Abasolo also won the People's Choice award, as voted by attendees. Maryam Azmi, a doctoral candidate in genetics, was named runner-up for her presentation "Shrinking Brain’s Superheroes." Azmi found the competition exhilarating, noting the positive audience engagement and the opportunity to spark curiosity.

Antonio Novaes, a postdoctoral associate in the Renaissance School of Medicine's Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, won the Postdoc Spotlight segment of the contest. Novaes described the experience as rewarding and confidence-boosting: “It was an incredibly rewarding experience. It reinforced my belief in my abilities and gave me a sense of confidence..."

Carl Lejuez, Stony Brook’s executive vice president and provost, highlighted the importance of effectively communicating one's work. “All of us have to ask ourselves if we are taking advantage of those opportunities," he stated.

The director of research training initiatives at The Graduate School, Molly Lotz, commended the participants' efforts, saying, “The range of disciplines represented during the event made for a day full of learning about new discoveries happening across Stony Brook."

The event provided an excellent platform for these students to succinctly present their complex research and engage with the audience, fostering a deeper understanding of various fields of study.

– Robert Emproto