Spaghetti and mud pies scoop 3-Minute Thesis final

Sciences 3 minute thesis finals 2019 winners

L to R: Master of Ceremonies, Professor Gordon Howarth, with People's Choice and second place winner, Caitlin Selway, and Belinda Boehm, overall winner. 

The depth and diversity of research student projects in the Faculty of Sciences was once again on display at this week's final of the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition.

In the ultimate science communication battle, the 3MT competition challenges research students to explain their project to a live audience in just three minutes and aided by only one slide. Competitors are judged on comprehension, content, engagement and communication.

Under the direction of Master of Ceremonies, Professor Gordon Howarth, eight presenters from across the Faculty’s four Schools competed for prizes and the chance to represent Sciences at the University stage of the competition.

Winning that right were Belinda Boehm from the School of Physical Sciences who was awarded first place for her presentation, Pasta, present, and future: Simulating spaghetti for flexible phones, and Caitlin Selway from the School of Biological Sciences, who picked up both second place and the People’s Choice prize with A mud pie a day keeps the allergies at bay.

Those given the hard task of judging the competition were: Faculty of Sciences Deputy Dean (Research) Professor Bronwyn Gillanders; Jim Deed, Manager Research Development; and Careers Service's Manager of Industry Engagement and Projects, Julia Atterton. The judges agreed that all presentations were of excellent standard and showcased the broad talents of our junior researchers.

Congratulations to all our wonderful presenters: 

  • Emma Aspin | Agriculture, Food and Wine | Insect Wars: Parasitoid vs Pest!
  • Sarah-Lena Reinhold | Biological Sciences | Tracing the Little Penguin and Long-Nosed Fur Seal predator-prey relationship
  • Caitlin Selway | Biological Sciences | A mud pie a day keeps the allergies at bay
  • Huy Tuong Cao | Physical Sciences | A better light for a clearer symphony
  • Jin-Chen Li | Agriculture, Food and Wine | Getting rid of ‘greenness’ in wine
  • Alejandra Arbe Montoya | Animal and Veterinary Sciences | To vet or not to vet: Veterinarians leaving clinical practice
  • Belinda Boehm | Physical Sciences | Pasta, present, and future: Simulating spaghetti for flexible phones
  • Jessica Fabijan | Animal and Veterinary Sciences | Is Kangaroo Island the last Chlamydia-free koala population?

You can support Belinda and Caitlin at the University final to be held as part of the Research Tuesdays seminar series on September 10. Registration is essential. 

Date: Tuesday, 10 September
Time: 5.30pm
Location: The Braggs Lecture Theatre, North Terrace campus, Adelaide

3MT Final Tickets

3 minute theses finals 2019

L to R: Professor Bronwyn Gillanders, Professor Gordon Howarth, Jin-Chen Li, Jessica Fabijan, Caitlin Selway, Belinda Boehm, Ale Arbe, Sarah-Lena Reinhold, Huy Tuong Cao, Jim Deed and Julia Atterton. Emma Aspin, who presented via video, not pictured. 

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