Congratulations, 3MT Competition Winners!

Written by Erin Michel, Graduate Assistant for the Graduate College

An air of anticipation was palpable as competitors, spectators, judges, and staff packed into Probasco Auditorium on the windy afternoon of February 23. In preparation for the event, twelve students had painstakingly distilled countless hours of scholarly pursuits into a single, three-minute pitch with one slide’s worth of visual aids, a truly daunting task. Dean Rose Marie Ward emceed the event, introducing each student and providing comedic relief (as well as valuable information about the Graduate College!) between each presentation in order to give the judges time to tally their scores. At the end of the hour, the audience was given the chance to vote for the People’s Choice award via smartphone and were rewarded for their attendance with some special 3MT-themed cake. Results were tabulated, and the winners were announced: first place Val Andrade, second place: Artur Huseinov, third place (and People’s Choice award winner): Regin Dean. 

Q: Tell us about your research!

A: My research aimed to investigate the relationship between unrestricted sociosexaulity and alcohol consumption, attempting to determine if alcohol could be a predictor of unrestricted sociosexuality and if unrestricted sociosexuality could predict alcohol use. While the study did not indicate that unrestricted sociosexuality could predict alcohol use, it did indicate that alcohol use could predict some dimensions of sociosexuality. Because of this, the research indicates that an increased emphasis on safe sex is necessary in alcohol consuming environments. 

Q: How would you describe your experience competing in 3MT?

 A: It was a great experience! I met a lot of really good people and got the opportunity to practice presenting my research in a way that was more fun and creative than a regular research presentation. I would absolutely do it again in the future if given the chance. 

Q: What do you feel that you've gained from your experience? 

A: From this experience, I gained an understanding as to how to quickly and succinctly convey my research and results to non-research minded individuals. Further, thanks to this opportunity to listen to my peers, I gained a lot of interesting knowledge about research from other disciplines. 

Q: What advice would you have for future 3MT competitors?

A: Give yourself wiggle room! I was so excited to talk about my research that I included a LOT of information which I had to speak quickly to convey within the three minute time frame. 

Q: What are your plans/hopes for the future, once you've finished your degree?

A: After I graduate in the spring, I am going to the University of South Carolina to pursue my PhD in Counselor Supervision and Education and continue my research. 

Q: Tell us about your research!

A: My research involved designing a sensor for lead (Pb) detection in drinking water. It is a portable, inexpensive analyzer that requires no chemical sample treatment and able to estimate lead contamination in water with the same degree of accuracy as the current standard laboratory technique. It mainly targets the general public who can use it in their homes for water testing. 

Q: How would you describe your experience competing in 3MT?

A: First, it was a lot more difficult than I thought to describe four years of my research work and background information in three minutes! Second, even after I thought I was ready, I still wasn't confident enough, because there was no list of strict criteria of what your talk should be like, I did not know who I was competing with, how many people participated or how many finalists would be selected. But all that made this competition even more interesting! The only thing on your list is to deliver the best talk you can possibly do. 

Q: What do you feel that you've gained from your experience?

A: I've gained more confidence that the research I do is important, I learned new ways to be a more concise and effective speaker, and I now have less fear of talking in public. Also, being on that stage was another chance for me to make more people aware of the lead contamination problem. 

Q: What advice would you have for future 3MT competitors?

A: Start getting ready in advance. It takes a lot of time to find the right balance in your talk between important and interesting as well as understandable and concise. Rehearse a lot: you have only 3 minutes, and thus no right to make a mistake; a short delay can result in a disqualification. Take some time making your slide, show it to your friends and ask them to come up with the story that would best describe the slide. 

Q: What are your plans/hopes for the future, once you've finished your degree?

A: I love teaching and interaction with students, so I am going to pursue a career in academia.  

Q: Tell us about your research! 

My research is focused on behavioral factors that may explain differences in performance among stroke survivors. Why do some individuals with stroke recover the control of their movements so well, and others with the same brain injury struggle to move the way they want to? I believe that visual attention and movement variability may play an important role in the motor recovery of individuals with stroke.    

 Q: How would you describe your experience competing in 3MT?

It was an incredible experience! I had never done anything like that. Presenting your project in just 3 minutes in front of people you don't know is not an easy task. However, realizing that you can do this is a unique feeling! I highly recommend that other students accept this challenge of summarizing their research projects in three minutes.  

Q: What do you feel that you've gained from your experience?  

I am used to discussing my project with my advisor or colleagues, but rarely with a general audience. Competing in the 3MT invited me to think about my project in a simpler, more accessible way, which helped me gain more clarity about my research and its impact.   

Q: What advice would you have for future 3MT competitors? 

Keep your presentation simple. Imagine that you are explaining your study to your parents, grandparents, or a friend outside academia. Besides practicing your speech with your advisor and friends, I would also recommend recording yourself. Evaluating your body language, pace, pronunciation is easier when you watch yourself. On the competition day, prepare yourself emotionally by keeping positive thoughts! Trust in your project and all the work you put into your presentation.   

Q: What are your plans/hopes for the future, once you've finished your degree? 

I plan to pursue a career in academia. I want to become an educator and guide other students in their academic and professional trajectories.    

Q: How are you feeling about advancing to compete in the regional competition in Chicago? What are you hoping to change about your presentation moving forward, if anything? 

A: I am extremely happy with the opportunity to represent UC at the regional competition! I am very happy with my presentation, but there is always room for improvement. I would like to hear more feedback from colleagues and friends, understand what I did well and should reinforce, and what I could have done better and should work for the next round. Most importantly, I will practice, practice, and practice!