What is the Three Minute Thesis Competition?

What is the Three Minute Thesis?

Imagine trying to distill everything you've learned and are researching for your Ph.D. into three minutes. This is the challenge that UNH graduate students who participate in the Three Minute Thesis competition take on. Founded by the University of Queensland, this competition asks graduate students to explain their research in under three minutes with only a single PowerPoint slide as a presentation aid. 

Emma Kinerson, a Ph.D. candidate in molecular and evolutionary systems biology, took on this challenge this spring. Learn more about what unique skills she gained from having to explain her research to a wider audience in such a short amount of time, and discover what it takes to get a Ph.D. in her field. 

Interview with a UNH Grad Student and Three Minute Thesis Competitor

Why did you decide to go to graduate school at UNH?

UNH provided me with the best research opportunities, as well as the prime location to be successful. I knew I wanted to do plant research and while UNH doesn’t have a large plant biology research scene, my principal investigator (PI), Assistant Professor Anna O’Brien, has created an interdisciplinary lab that fits all of my interests and has provided me with the space to grow. Additionally, UNH has great resources specifically for graduate students including activities, library resources, instrumentation, and many more that I didn't necessarily see at other schools. The location is also attractive for me, as I grew up in Vermont, so this area positions me close to home. I also value being so close to Boston for future job and career opportunities, while still maintaining the small-town feel of Durham, New Hampshire. 

"UNH has great resources specifically for graduate students including activities, library resources, and instrumentation."

Why did you decide to do the Three Minute Thesis (3MT)?

I decided to do the 3MT because I was so inspired by watching other graduate students do it. I’ve gone to my department's graduate student seminars weekly ever since I joined UNH and still struggled to understand what other graduate students' research entailed. The 3MT provided an equal playing field that allowed for easy comprehension. I left watching the 3MT feeling a spark about my research. It inspired me to consider how I could work to make it easier to understand and to allow people to feel curious about a field that sometimes people describe as closed off. 

"I left watching the 3MT feeling a spark about my research. It inspired me to consider how I could work to make it easier to understand and to allow people to feel curious about a field that sometimes people describe as closed off. "

Can you describe your research in three sentences? Three words?

Three sentences:

I aim to understand how microbial communities comprised of bacteria and fungi can increase plant growth across different conditions such as temperature or community composition. The goal of this research is to reduce our reliance on chemical fertilizers by providing a more sustainable alternative using microbes that already have this function in nature. This research is important, as commercially available chemical fertilizers have negative impacts on our environment and human health through polluting our waterways. 

Three words: 

Plants, Bacteria, Farming

What support did you receive from the graduate school during the 3MT?

I received so much support from the graduate school! They provided weekly workshops that focused on a different skill each week. We started out with a brainstorming workshop that really helped us to pare down what our research is and how we can better communicate it in lay terms. We then had multiple public speaking workshops where we went over different techniques and gained exposure to speaking in front of a crowd. Additionally, we had support from the writing center, as we were able to submit our scripts to get feedback. A lot of our support came from Jovana Milosavljevic Ardeljan, director of career, professional, and community development, who not only showed up for us at every step of the way in group settings, but also went out of her way to meet with us individually if we wanted!

What skills have you gained from doing the 3MT?

I have learned so many invaluable skills! The most important skill for me was working on my public speaking. I have always had terrible stage fright and getting in front of an audience has always been difficult. Through this experience, I have learned so many techniques to make it less scary. I felt I was in a safe environment where I could stumble and still learn at the same time. I have also learned the importance of understanding your resources and how to use them properly. I think this is a skill that not everyone thinks of, but I enjoyed learning how to use the tools at my disposal and how to look for other ones that weren’t offered. 

"I have always had terrible stage fright and getting in front of an audience has always been difficult. Through this experience, I have learned so many techniques to make it less scary."

What did you learn from watching other presenters at the 3MT?

I learned different methods for engaging with your audience! I think it was really cool to see everyone’s different methods, and it gave me some ideas for future presentations. I also learned a lot about everyone’s individual research and hearing it in such an easily digestible way helped me think about my research in a new light, whether it was a new technique or a way I could expand my research. 

Why would you recommend that other graduate students do the 3MT?

I would strongly recommend other graduate students do the 3MT! I think it has forever altered how I think about presenting, as well as my research. You are exposed to so many different disciplines and I think it was a great example of why interdisciplinary work and different perspectives are so important. I gained a lot of great connections and friends through this process. Lastly, it was just fun! I gained a new vigor for my research and purpose for why I am completing this Ph.D. 

"I would strongly recommend other graduate students do the 3MT! I think it has forever altered how I think about presenting as well as my research. You are exposed to so many different disciplines and I think it was a great example of why interdisciplinary work and different perspectives are so important."

You made it to the 3MT finals! What was competing in that round like?

It was a little stressful, just because it had a larger audience and there was more at stake in terms of the awards. Overall, I think there was a sense of relief though and it was more fun than the preliminary round because I knew that the judges liked my talk enough to allow me to present on a larger stage. I was able to chat with people afterward and it was a really interesting experience to hear people in the community ask questions and understand my research. 

How has the UNH Graduate School prepared you for after your degree? 

I think all of the opportunities I have had like the 3MT prepare me really well for after my degree. They provide a space to learn how to communicate your work in a non-technical way, which is essential for getting a job, applying for funding, and so many more experiences. Additionally, I think UNH provides a safe space to learn that your first attempt won’t always be successful and to learn how to pivot and learn from an experience, which is essential. 

What are your plans for after graduation?

After graduation, I plan to apply for jobs within the industry sector, specifically companies that are looking to provide sustainable alternatives within agriculture. My goal is to make a difference in some capacity using science to help our environment thrive.