The Iowa State Graduate College is hosting its annual Three Minute Thesis challenge for the ninth year.

Competitors pursuing their master’s or Ph.D. present a three-minute thesis of their research, including one PowerPoint slide. No other props or resources are allowed during the presentation.

Prior to the upcoming final competition, the contestants competed in a preliminary competition. 

Results of the preliminary competition are listed on Iowa State’s Graduate College website and below:

Heat 1 

First place: Elizabeth Sunday, geology

Second Place: Hui Zhang, marketing

Heat 2

First place: Derek Ten Pas, civil engineering

Second place: Mohamed Abdeldayem, mechanical engineering

Heat 3

First place: Anne-Ultelie Poincon, forestry

Second place: Bala Mounika Reddi, immunobiology

Heat 4

First place: Ian Clark, astrophysics

Second place: Rwit Chakravorty, economics

Heat 5

First place: David Hall, genetics and genomics

Second place: Hannah Kramer, horticulture

Heat 6

First place: Timilehin Ayanlade, mechanical engineering

Second place: Logan Didier, civil engineering

Heat 7:

First place: Muhammad Sarwar, electrical engineering

Second place: Matthew Pfab, entomology 

Heat 8

First place: Devanshi Mistry, chemical engineering

Second place: Bahar Hashemian Esfahani, apparel, merchandising and design

The final competitors will include the first place winners from each heat.

According to the Graduate College website, three winners will be presented with awards and each competitor will have the opportunity to cultivate their presentation, research, and academic skills.

“The winner of the final competition receives a $500 Ubill scholarship and may be asked to represent the university in other 3MT events,” according to the Graduate College website. “A scholarship of $250 will be awarded to the final competition’s Runner Up and People’s Choice Award winner. The Graduate College will also raffle off two travel grants worth $200 each, as well as one U-Bill scholarship worth $200 for participants in their final year of graduate school.”

The judging criteria provided on the website are listed as follows:

Comprehension and Content 

• Presentation provided clear background and significance to the research question.
• Presentation clearly described the research strategy/design and the results/findings of the research.
• Presentation clearly described the conclusions, outcomes and impact of the research. 

Engagement and Communication

•  The oration was delivered clearly, and the language was appropriate for a non-specialist audience. 
• The PowerPoint slide was well-defined and enhanced the presentation. 
• The presenter conveyed enthusiasm for their research and captured and maintained the audience’s attention.

The scholars will be presenting one last time at the Three Minute Thesis finals at 6 p.m. Nov. 7 in the Memorial Union South Ballroom.

For more information, contact [email protected]