Three minutes. That’s how long Olga Shishkov has to share years-worth of research when she competes in the final round of Georgia Tech’s Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition on Nov. 14. 

 

“So far, this competition feels more like I’m being asked to give a performance than give a presentation — which has been a fascinating experience,” said Olga Shishkov, who along with Brian Eberle and Jeongwon Kim is one of three Ph.D. students from the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering in the competition. Her presentation focuses on how fly larvae eat and how to raise them. “I usually only have a vague idea of what I am going to say in my presentations. But, in a three minute talk, I have to plan my words much more carefully.”

 

Stopping the spread of cancer. Human travel to Mars. Demystifying DNA replication. This year’s 3MT finalists are doing research on these and other topics that could one day influence policy and change the way you live your life. And on Nov. 14 from 6-8:30 p.m. in the Global Learning Center Amphitheater, all members of the campus community are invited to be some of the first to hear about this cutting-edge research.

 

During the event, the finalists — who are all graduate students at Tech, representing colleges across campus — will be challenged to talk about their research in three minutes in an engaging way that anyone can understand. The winners will receive research travel grants ranging from $500-2,000. (A reception and awards ceremony open to all attendees will immediately follow the competition.)

 

“I love the 3MT event because we get to support students as they develop their ability to effectively present their research with everyone from policy makers to potential employers to auditoriums full of people,” said Bonnie Ferri, vice provost for Graduate Education and Faculty Development. “I’ve never learned so much about so many interesting topics in such a short amount of time. In seeing these students, you’ll be so proud of Georgia Tech and the work our graduate students are doing.”

 

The finalists were selected after four preliminary rounds that were held in October and include the following Ph.D. students (and one master's student who will be doing an exhibition presentation but is not actually competiting in the final round):