Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition

3MT logo

About

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) was originally developed by the University of Queensland (UQ), Australia. The goals of the competition are to highlight the excellent research conducted by graduate students and challenge students to develop communications skills to explain their complex and technical research in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience. 3MT Competitions are currently held in over 900 universities across more than 85 countries worldwide. Learn more about 3MT at Three Minute Thesis - University of Queensland (uq.edu.au).

2024 Competition Winners

Congratulations to Our Three Minute Thesis 3MT® Competition Winners!
First Place and People's Choice Award Winner

Sai Sri Nidhi Munaganuru, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Can carbon composite 3D printing technology revolutionize the world?
Watch Sai Sri Nidhi Munaganuru give her Three Minute 3MT® presentation
Runner-Up 
Arianna Giguere, Imaging Science, Navigating Vision Loss: Driving Toward Recovery with VR
Watch Arianna Giguere give her Three Minute 3MT® presentation

November 4th Finals Competition in Wegmans Theater

Attend the 3MT, Three Minute Thesis Competition Finals, and Watch RIT Doctoral Students Compete by Explaining Their Research in Just 3 Minutes!

Finalists

Name

Program

3MT Title

Kristina Chomiak

Sustainability

Unraveling trends of plastic pollution in the wasted food stream

Arianna Giguere

Imaging Science

Navigating Vision Loss: Driving Toward Recovery with VR

Mehran Mansouri

Biomedical and Chemical Engineering

Do Cells Remember Their Terrain? Exploring Topographical Memory in Cell Migration

Sai Sri Nidhi Munaganuru

Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

Can carbon composite 3D printing technology revolutionize the world?

Jan Wasilewski

Imaging Science

AI-Powered Crop Protection: Detecting Plant Diseases Before They Strike

Khushbu Zope

Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

Predicting the Future of 3D Printed Metal Parts


This Year's Judges
Dr. David Munson, RIT President
Cassandra Nickels, Associate Vice President Marketing Strategy
Frank Sklarsky, Alumnus and RIT Board of Trustee Member
Vanessa J. Herman, Vice President for Government and Community Relations

BE PART OF THE COMPETITION BY VOTING FOR THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE!
An important aspect of the competition is the People’s Choice prize. Following all presentations, the audience is asked to vote on who they thought gave the most convincing 3MT presentation.

Register to Attend Now!

Food Provided (Reception with light refreshments immediately following.)

Eligibility

  • The competition is open to current RIT PhD students who have passed their qualifying exam or are in their third year of study or greater.
  • Finalists must be available to compete in person on Monday, November 4th, 2024

Rules

  • Presentations are limited to three minutes maximum and competitors exceeding three minutes are disqualified.
  • Presentations are to be spoken word (i.e. no poems, raps, or songs).
  • Presentations are considered to have commenced when presenters start their presentation through movement or speech.
  • Presentations are to commence from the stage.
  • A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted (no slide transitions, animations or ‘movement’ of any kind) and 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.
  • Zoom backgrounds are considered props. Please ensure your background is a blank screen or wall. 
  • The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Prizes

  • First Prize: $1,500
  • Runner-Up: $750
  • People’s Choice: $250 - Sponsored by the Eugene H. Fram Chair in Applied Critical Thinking 

How to Enter

  • For the preliminary submission, presenters will submit a recording of their 3MT Presentation (Zoom or YouTube link)
  • Deadline to submit 3MT recording - September 27th  
  • Finalists will be notified by October 21st
  • In-Person Final Round Competition - November 4th, MAGIC Center, Wegmans Theater. Doors open at 5:00 PM. The competition begins at 5:30 PM.

The winner advances to the Northeastern Association of Graduate Schools (NAGS) Regional 3MT Competition (virtual) in Spring 2025
Are you ready to enter the competition? Begin here!

Resources for Presenters

RIT Resources - The Expressive Communication Center (ECC)

  • 3MT Prep Session Zoom Video and Presentation Slides
    This prep session provides strategies for presenting your research concisely and persuasively. Receive tips on public speaking, slide design, and body language to ensure your delivery is confident, clear, and impactful. Find out how to condense your research into a concise format with this presentation by experienced facilitators from the Expressive Communication Center.


    View the Prep Session Zoom video here
     
  • Schedule an Individual Session with ECC to practice your presentation and receive personalized feedback in a one-on-one session: Expressive Communication Center | College of Liberal Arts | RIT
  • Record your 3MT presentation with the professional recording equipment at the ECC, Wallace Library - Schedule an appointment: Expressive Communication Center | College of Liberal Arts | RIT

 

 

Judging Criteria

Comprehension and content

  • Presentation provided clear motivation, 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

Enter the Competition! -Deadline has passed-

Event Contact

Christie Leone
Christie Leone
Assistant Dean for the Graduate School
585-475-7538