Eight graduate students at the University of Miami presented their research findings in concise three-minute talks during the 10th Annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition. The event, hosted by the university’s Graduate School, took place at the Kislak Center and brought together students and faculty from all three campuses.
Nicole Leeper Piquero, interim dean of the Graduate School, said, “The eight remarkable competitors not only communicated their research to all of us in terms we can understand but also inspired us to keep learning. Their work reminds us that curiosity is the spark that drives innovation.”
Natasha Khatwani, a cancer biology graduate student from the Miller School of Medicine, was named winner for her work on enhancing T cell resilience against exhaustion through microRNA-29a. Khatwani explained, “MicroRNA-29a (miR-29a) acts as a master switch, giving CAR-T cells strength and health. When we boosted miR-29a, mitochondria grew and the cells became stronger … and when we engineered CAR-T cells to express miR-29a, they resisted exhaustion, were able to kill cancer cells more effectively, and allowed mice with lymphoma to live much longer.” She received a $750 prize and will advance to regional and state 3MT competitions.
Tiffany Leung placed second for her study showing that young children under nine are less likely than older children or adults to notice illness in others—a factor contributing to higher rates of sickness. Her research demonstrated that brief training could teach young children to recognize signs of illness and take preventive action. Leung stated, “I’m really excited that people see the value of this research and hope it spreads the message about reducing disease transmission. It was also very rewarding to show my project to others.” She was awarded $350 for her presentation.
Other participants included Praga Vipulanandan from electrical and computer engineering who discussed developing an accuracy scale for AI tools such as ChatGPT using concepts from quantum physics; James Christie from atmospheric sciences who researched pollutants formed in upper atmospheric reactions; Saetbyeol Kim from business studying consumer perceptions around products marketed for mental versus physical health; Giuliano McDonald from communication examining factors influencing college football players’ use of helmet covers; Savannah Saavedra analyzing gender and nationhood in Latin American literature; and Guerdiana Thelomar from community well-being focusing on challenges faced by Black women in predominantly white higher education institutions.
Guerdiana Thelomar’s work highlighted that while Black women achieve high levels of success academically in higher education settings dominated by white populations, they often neglect personal needs which can lead to negative health outcomes. According to her findings, institutions should focus more on supporting these students’ well-being.
The competition required each participant to summarize extensive research into a 180-second oral presentation accompanied by one PowerPoint slide. Contestants had only a few weeks to prepare their presentations.
James Christie noted his participation helped him communicate complex scientific information clearly: “The results of my research can be used by policymakers to make targeted primary aerosol source reduction plans to improve air quality by reducing particulate matter,” he said. This would contribute not only to better air quality but also improved public health outcomes for affected communities.
Vipulanandan emphasized the importance of measuring reliability when using AI models: “Whether it’s low-stakes tasks or high-stakes tasks such as medicine, accuracy matters—but so does knowing when not to trust your system. So the next time you turn toward ChatGPT for a crucial answer, know for a fact that these are the exact moments I’m working hard to protect.”
Participants expressed appreciation for sharing their projects with wider audiences while honing skills needed for effective science communication.
