One state, three research institutions and twelve graduate student competitors set the scene for the statewide Three Minute Thesis competition on Feb. 23. The third-annual statewide competition challenged graduate students from Boise State University, Idaho State University and University of Idaho to present their scholarship in three minutes or less. A panel of judges from the Boise community awarded two of the three awards to graduate students from Boise State University. In addition, the audience voted for a graduate student from Boise State for the audience choice award.
Four graduate student finalists from each institution gathered to present their best pitches and showcase their research.
Ember Sikorski, doctoral student in materials science and engineering at Boise State University, won first-place and $1,000 for her presentation.
The second-place and $750 recipient was Luke Telfer, master’s student in hydrologic sciences at Boise State University. Corina Sanchez, master’s in biology student at Idaho State University, earned third place and $500.
The audience choice award and $250 recipient was Bryan Rosenblatt, master’s student in geophysics at Boise State.
Boise State University also was represented in the competition by Sam Haskell, a master’s student in communication.
In order to present impactful research to a broader audience, the graduate student competitors undertook the challenging task of public speaking by participating in numerous workshops through the Graduate Student Success Center (GSSC). The GSSC workshops were tailored to the unique virtual format for the competition this year.
Through this competition, graduate students had the opportunity to articulate their research while also creating a skill that will serve them in the future.
“The breadth of graduate scholarship showcased by our students is nothing short of inspiring,” said Tammi Vacha-Haase, dean of the Graduate College. “Their dedication to the advancement of their respective fields through compelling and impactful research is a sure sign of incredible things to come, not only for our students, but for Idaho.”
To view full information on participants and winners of the Boise State Three Minute Thesis and the statewide competition, visit: https://www.boisestate.edu/graduatecollege-success/three-minute-thesis/