11. 12. 2019

The Graduate School announces the winners of the 4th Annual Three-Minute Thesis Competition

Marie Gilbertson and Dean Lanyon
Marie Gilbertson, a doctoral candidate in
Veterinary Medicine, won the First Place Award.

Marie Gilbertson, a doctoral student in the College of Veterinary Medicine's Veterinary Medicine program took home the First Place Award at the event on Friday, November 8. Gilbertson will represent the University of Minnesota at the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) 3-Minute Thesis competition in Spring 2020.

Doctoral student Elizabeth Abraham from the College of Education & Human Development - Work and Human Resource Education program received the Second Place Award and the People's Choice awards.

The Three-Minute Thesis Competition challenges graduate students to present their research in just 180 seconds, in a way that can be understood by an intelligent audience with no background in the subject. This competition helps our graduate students develop presentation and communication skills; the benefits of preparing for a three-minute thesis competition are valuable regardless of career path, degree objective, or discipline. Participants are allowed to refer to one, static slide during their presentations, but may not use any other props or media.

Special thanks goes to this year's judges:

  • Richard Chin, Reporter, Star Tribune
  • Bill Haldeman, Senior Assistant to the President, University of Minnesota
  • Kao Ly Ilean Her, University of Minnesota Regent, Chief Executive Officer of the Hmong Elders Center
  • Kristin Makholm, Executive Director, Minnesota Museum of American Art    
  • Nekey Oliver, Manager of Grants and Government Relations, Minnesota Office of Higher Education

Watch all of the participants' presentations:

Elizabeth Abraham, Doctoral Student

Caitlin Sisk, Doctoral Student

George Furey, Doctoral Student

Marie Gilbertson, Doctoral Student

Ilse Renner, Doctoral Student

Summer Tran, Doctoral Student