Eight doctoral students took on the challenge of participating in the 2024 CU Anschutz Graduate School 3 Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. Distilling their dissertation research into talks lasting three minutes or less and utilizing only one presentation slide, these students proved their prowess at the practice of scientific communication.
“The skill of describing our research in a compelling manner is not only critical for public understanding and appreciation of science but is also vital to our own collaboration, funding, and professional development,” Dr. Jennifer Richer, dean of the Graduate School, said in her welcome at the December 2 event.
She emphasized the benefits of interacting with non-scientific audiences to learn from their unique perspectives and feedback. On this day, that audience included a panel of judges, faculty, student peers, university staff, and a class of high schoolers.
This year's judges included Dr. Jessica Luna-Garcia, Director of CU Pre-Health Scholars, Office for Educational Outreach and Pathway Initiatives; Alex Scott, teacher, Lotus School for Excellence; Mark Harden, Content Specialist and Writer, University of Colorado School of Medicine; Alice Wittmer, Associate Director for Student Outreach and Support, Student Affairs; and Ginger Acierno, Director of Post Award Sponsored Projects, Financial Services.
“[Our] graduate students are the future of biomedical discoveries,” Richer said. “And they push the boundaries of what we know and what we understand. We celebrate them today with this 3MT competition.”
Dr. Thomas Flaig, vice chancellor for research, also spoke to the presenters and to the crowded Elliman Conference Center in a brief opening address about his key thoughts on scientific communication.
“I think succinct and impactful communication is key as we try to convey science,” Flaig said. He knows firsthand the effort it takes to tailor your talking points to their respective audiences—whether that’s talking with your neighbors, with faculty who have very specific and nuanced questions, or to the media and general public.
Flaig spoke about how the skills competitors honed during the process of creating their slide, practicing their speeches, and presenting in front of a live audience may have a positive impact on their careers going forward.
“You figure out, ‘I’ve got a pretty good idea here, but if I want to put it in a clinic and impact patients that way, a pretty good idea’s not good enough,’” Flaig said. They’ll need to convey their ideas to the right people, in the right way, in order to receive investment and move the ideas forward.
Heading right into the competition, the audience was treated to creative slides, enthusiastic talks, and the presentation of research in easily digestible ways. Judging was tight, and ultimately three winners were announced. The People's Choice Award, sponsored by CU Anschutz Student Affairs, was voted for live by audience members.
First Place and People’s Choice Award: Grecia Rivera Palomino, Microbiology
Second Place: Andrew Neumann, Molecular Biology
Third Place: Destiny DeNicola, Molecular Biology
The other participants were Phinea Romero, Pharmacology and Molecular Medicine; Virginia Fogg, Molecular Biology; Dillon Boulton, Pharmacology and Molecular Medicine; Cassie Minne, Molecular Biology; and Abbigayl Burtis, Molecular Biology.
Rivera Palomino captured the audience and judges’ attention with her presentation humanizing her research through a story about a fictional man named Benito, some contaminated fried chicken, and the antibiotic-resistant bacteria that need to meet their match with a new treatment alternative.
“When I was announced the People’s Choice Award winner, I was happy because I felt like I was able to convey my ideas in a way that they understood and engaged with me, and that was a prize itself,” Rivera Palomino said. “When I got called for First Place in the competition by the judges, I could not believe it.”
Rivera Palomino’s home country is Peru, and she said it is sometimes difficult to think fast in a second language. With these two prizes, she has been able to prove to herself that she is able to do it successfully.
“It still feels like a dream having these accomplishments. I thank the people who supported me before, during and after the competition,” Rivera Palomino said.
She will go on to compete at the Western Association of Graduate Schools 3MT competition in March of 2025. The contest will be held in Denver.