3MT Challenge

CSU 3MT Graduate Student Challenge

3MT is the acronym for the Three-Minute Thesis competition, which was founded at the University of Queensland in 2008. 

At CSU, we run a modified version of this that merges a training program option with the 3-Minute Talk competition to offer a unique, fun, and intensive professional development opportunity that is open solely to graduate students who won an award at this year’s CSU Graduate Showcase. 

The CSU 3MT program and competition is run by CSU Writes with support from the Office of the Vice President for Research and the Graduate School.

Read about previous CSU 3MT Challenges and Winners:

3MT Challenge Overview

2026 3MT Challenge Participants

Participants are invited from the winners at this year’s Grad Student Showcase. 

Those who register are placed into interdisciplinary cohorts of 4 to 5 graduate students who collaboratively support one another to build out their 3MT presentations through weekly meetings of practice and feedback. 

Information for 2026 3MT Participants (Click Here)

Meet the Cohorts

Cohort #1

Blair's research focuses on political communication, knowledge dissemination, organizational communication, and CEO activism.
Blair LeeJournalism and Media Communication
Blair Lee
David's research investigates gene-based strategies to reduce symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease by enhancing intracellular tau trafficking and clearance.
David CrosbyHealth and Exercise Science
David Crosby
Ficky studies how to turn everyday waste into jet fuel while cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
Ficky MuabuayCivil and Environmental Engineering
Ficky Muabuay
Leo researches the physiological pathways that promote obesity and related metabolic disorders, with particular emphasis on the development of secondary obesity in prion disease.
Leo TyerMicrobiolgy, Immunology & Pathololgy
Leo Tyer

Cohort #2

Delián's research: Characteristics of tropical oceanic rainfall from ship-borne radar observations.
Delián Colón-BurgosAtmospheric Science
Delián Colón-Burgos
Alex Claiborne
Alex ClaiborneChemistry

Cohort #3

Chloe's research focuses on developing new technologies to regenerate bone in severe fractures.
Chloe BrekhusBiomedical and Chemical Engineering
Chloe Brekhus
"In my artwork I investigate reality through the lens of my lived experiences with legal blindness and light sensitivity, and promote the blurring of boundaries to expand authentic and accessible practices."
Miles BuchanArt and Art History
Miles Buchan
Ally Cunningham
Ally CunninghamChemistry
Natalie McCaffery
Natalie McCafferySoil & Crop Sciences

Cohort #4

Nara's research: Labor Market Deregulation and Deaths of Despair: Evidence from Advanced Economies.
Nara ChungEconomics
Nara Chung
Ojo's research focuses on electron- and photon-driven processes for Li-mediated ammonia synthesis.
Ojo AbrahamMaterials Science Engineering
Ojo Abraham
Katherine's research is focused on exploring the potential of extracellular vesicles as a potential therapeutic for insulin insensitivity.
Katherine Kiel Health & Exercise Science
Katherine Kiel
Abhijeet Bhadauria
Abhijeet BhadauriaChemistry

Cohort #5

Zoë's research focuses on animal cognition and behavior, with an emphasis on understanding how non-human animals perceive, learn about, and interact with their environments. "By developing experimental tasks that align with animals’ natural behaviors, I aim to better capture their cognitive abilities and use these insights to inform ethical research practices, enrichment, and evidence-based animal care."
Zoë D'AgostinoBiology
Zoë D'Agostino
As a Human-Wildlife Conflict Specialist, Ian's research focuses on mitigating rancher-wolf conflict in Northern California.
Ian KeithHuman Dimensions of Natural Resources
Ian Keith
Cassandra's research: "Extraordinary hope dancing."
Cassandra PuletapuaiSchool of Education
Cassandra Puletapuai
Jyoti Das
Jyoti DasEnvironmental & Radiological Health
Megan's research focuses on creating synthetic hydrogels using a design inspired by the precision of biological organisms.
Megan RothenbergChemistry
Megan Rothenberg

CSU 3MT Challenge Overview

3MT Professional Development Training 

December 2025 – January 2026

Participating in the Training Course offers intensive communications professional development and builds interdisciplinary cohorts of graduate students, in addition to preparing participants for the 3MT Competition.

3MT Preliminary Rounds 

February 2nd – 6th, 2026

Students present their timed 3MT talk in the Preliminary Challenge Round. The top 10 scorers will go on to compete in the final challenge.

All graduate students who participate through the preliminary challenge rounds receive a 3-Minute Talk certificate of completion in recognition of their professional development in research/scholarly/creative/entrepreneurial communication.

3MT Final Competition

February 11, 2026  |  5-7pm |  LSC, Longs Peak Room

The Final Competition will be a formal event in which the 10 finalists from the Preliminary Challenge Rounds will give their timed presentations in front of 5-6 judges. The event will include a catered dinner. Presenters are encouraged to invite their department mentors and student cohorts, 3MT cohorts, family, and friends.

The top three scorers in the Final Competition will receive monetary awards. 

The first-place award-winner will have the opportunity to represent CSU state-wide by competing at two competitions:

  • Western Association of Graduate Schools (WAGS) Annual Meeting, April 1-3, 2026
  • Colorado Council of Graduate Schools (CO-CGS) 3-Minute Talk competition (TBA-April 2026).