Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Event Recap

The Graduate School and 糖心viog官方网站 held the 3MT庐 competition on February 20, 2026. The Three Minute Thesis is a global research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland in Australia. It is an academic competition for doctoral and master鈥檚 degree students that require each participant to explain his or her research effectively in three minutes, using one slide, with no animation.

The final competition was judged by Ms. Carole DeRoche, President, Dohmen Medical Affairs (retired); Dr. Sarah B. Feldner, Acting Provost, 糖心viog官方网站; Ms. Krissie Fung, Associate Director, Milwaukee Turners; and Judge Derek Mosley, Director, Lubar Center for Public Policy Research & Civic Education, 糖心viog官方网站. 

Congratulations to this year's winner Ashmika Behere, runner-up winner Savannah Gutsch, and People's Choice Award winner John Omokayode!

Ashmika Behere, a doctoral student in Biological Sciences, won the competition and the grand prize of $500. Her talk was titled: From DNA to Dots: Using CRISPR-Cas9 to Identify the Genetic Basis of Colors and Patterns in Geckos. Ashmika competed at the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools 鈥榮 regional Three Minute Thesis Competition.

Savannah Gutsch and John Omokayode, won the People's Choice Award and runner-up award, each winning $250.

Congratulations and thank you to our winners and competitors from this year鈥檚 competition! It was incredible to learn about the research from our graduate students. 

First Place Winner: Ashmika Behere
Program: Biological Sciences 

Thesis: From DNA to Dots: Using CRISPR-Cas9 to identify the genetic basis of colors and patterns in geckos 

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Runner-up Award: Savannah Gutsch
Program: Physical Therapy 

Thesis: Making Pain Worse on Purpose 

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People鈥檚 Choice Award: John Omokayode 
Program: Mechanical Engineering 

Thesis: Computational Modelling of Urban Thermal and Wind Environment 

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Ruric Bowman
Program: Biological Sciences 

Thesis: Call Your Mom: How Stress Makes Trees Rely on Their "Family" 

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Bridgitte C么t茅
Program: Biomedical Sciences 

Thesis: The role of dopamine-sensitive cells in aversion sensitivity 

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Cole Engebretson
Program: Mechanical Engineering 

Thesis: Electrification is not the Only Path: Re-Engineering Engines for Low-Carbon Transport 

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Samantha Juedemann
Program: Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering 

Thesis: Identifying representative viruses for effective disinfection in direct potable reuse 

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Tamila Kuanysheva
Program: Chemistry 

Thesis: Modeling Quantum Molecular Dynamics on a Quantum Computer 

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Gabriella Marino
Program: Biological Sciences 

Thesis: An Eye for Breathing: How Environmental Light Shapes Ventilation Through Retinal and Neuronal Pathways 

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Maryam Samsami
Program: Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering 

Thesis: Thirsty for Safety: A Virus Surrogate Study for Reverse Osmosis Membranes 

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