The Perron Institute Three Minute Thesis (3MT) is an important annual event. It provides an opportunity for some of our talented students to showcase their wide-ranging research projects in everyday language.
Eleven Honours, Masters and PhD students recently presented an update on their research in engaging and informative ways at St Catherine’s College.
The competition was so close that judges could not discriminate between the top two students, so the $2500 prize money was shared.
Joint first place:
- Melissa Papini (2nd year PhD): ‘Jack and Jill a cautionary tale’ (the benefits of early intervention for concussion and traumatic brain injury).
- Brad Roberts (1st year PhD): ‘Pharmacogenetics – genetic GPS to effective drug therapy’ (to streamline the process for depression).
Third place ($500 prize):
- Abbey Figliomeni (3rd year PhD): ‘Mixed messages – microbe communication’ (in Parkinson’s and the gut with the aim of finding better disease markers).
Special commendations:
- Andre Avila (between Hons and PhD): ‘Pilot study for persistent symptoms’ (of chronic mild traumatic brain injury/concussion). The judges were very impressed with his presentation, particularly at his early career stage and awarded him a cash prize of $100.
- Alexander Frohlich (3rd year visiting PhD): ‘Deciphering dark matter in health and disease’ (to assist understanding the progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s). The judges were impressed with how Alexander made a complex topic accessible to a lay audience with a clear and well-structured presentation.
- Samuel Pesce (1st year Honours) ‘One step ahead of Parkinson’s with poly-arginine peptides’. His presentation style and confidence impressed the judges, particularly at his early career stage.
Well done to all the participants and winners and thank you to all the judges and organisers.
Photo caption: Brad Roberts and Melissa Papini at the Perron Institute.