Southern Miss Student Shines at Regional 3MT Competition: A Spotlight on Innovation and Excellence

On April 29, 2025, the University of Southern Mississippi proudly showcased its talent at the Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) competition held at the 2025 Conference of Southern Graduate Schools in Dallas, Texas. Ph.D. student Alyssa Shaw represented the university as its graduate competitor.

This prominent event brought together over 200 graduate schools from 15 Southern states, including Alabama, Florida, and Texas. More than 60 graduate students competed during the annual conference held from March 19 to 21 at Southern Methodist University.

Alyssa, specializing in polymer science and engineering, wowed the audience with her research titled, “Doped Polymer Thin Films: A Pathway to Tune Properties for Flexible Electronics.” In November 2024, she earned the title of Southern Miss Three-Minute Thesis Grand Champion, which earned her a spot at this prestigious regional event.

The 3MT competition, first introduced at the University of Queensland in Australia, aims to sharpen academic presentation skills and help students communicate complex ideas in simple terms. This is pivotal as researchers often need to engage a non-specialist audience.

Alyssa delivered a remarkable presentation, competing with talented peers from across the Southeast. Her success reflects not only her hard work but also the strong support from the Graduate School.

As we look ahead, planning is already in motion for the next 3MT competition set for late fall 2025. This is an exciting opportunity for students. Those interested in participating can learn more through the Graduate School’s Three-Minute Thesis website.

Interestingly, the 3MT format has garnered attention globally, with many universities adopting it to boost researchers’ communication skills. Recent surveys indicate that participants feel more confident in presenting their work post-competition. Engaging with a non-expert audience can significantly enhance a researcher’s ability to convey their findings, making events like these invaluable for academic growth.

In subtle ways, competitions like 3MT are changing the landscape of research communication, empowering students to share their innovations far beyond academic circles. As they step onto these stages, they not only represent their schools but also make key contributions to the larger conversation in their fields.

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