Biology Grad Student Wins Three Minute Thesis Competition

Biology Grad Student Wins Three Minute Thesis Competition

Nathaniel Sturm

Fifteen graduate students at The University of Alabama competed for a chance to win scholarships and monetary awards in the finals of this year’s Three Minute Thesis competition.

The winners were:

  • First place: Nathaniel Sturm, biological sciences. Talk title: “Species Detection in the Dark.”
  • Second place: Meredith Mock, chemical and biological engineering. Talk title: “Harnessing Bacteria to Reduce Caffeine Contamination.”
  • Third place: Mackenzie Pike, communication studies. Talk title: “The Power of Words: The Impact of Power Language in Corporate Financial Disclosures.”
  • Fourth place: Jennifer Fortunato, biological sciences. Talk title: “What Makes You, You?”
  • People’s Choice Winner: Khadeidra Billingsley, English. Talk title: “Right Writing.”

The scholarships and awards will be used to support the students’ research and conference travel. This year’s competitors represent an array of academic departments and disciplines. The competition also serves as a professional development exercise that gives students the opportunity to clarify and crystallize their research ideas and discoveries while honing their presentation and communication skills.