Engineering student wins McMaster Three Minute Thesis
Gil Niessen (left), Shawn Hercules, Indranil Sarkar, 3MT winner Matthew Campea, Julian Yabut and Erica Dao join Doug Welch, vice-provost and dean of graduate studies, on stage following the McMaster Three Minute Thesis competition. (Photo by Sarah Janes.)
Master’s student Matthew Campea is McMaster University’s 2019 Three Minute Thesis (3MT) champion.
Campea claimed the title after two days of competition that saw more than 80 students from five faculties present their research in three minutes or less, using only one presentation slide. After six preliminary heats, 18 students moved forward into the final.
On April 17, the chemical engineering student will take his winning presentation, “So sweet: Using sugars to improve cancer treatment,” to the Ontario 3MT event, also at McMaster, where he will compete against 19 other graduate students from universities across the province.
Campea also receives $1,000 and the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Communicating Graduate Research.
Erica Dao, a PhD student in the radiation sciences program, came second with her presentation, “Where does cancer begin?” Dao receives $500 and the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Communicating Graduate Research.
Three other students round out the top five spots:
- Julian Yabut, PhD student in medical sciences, took third place with his presentation, “Fighting obesity with fat.” He receives $250.
- Fourth place went to Indranil Sarkar, a master’s student in chemical engineering, who presented, “Creating porous carbon materials from polysaccharides.” He receives $200 and a $25 gift card for the Phoenix Craft House and Grill.
- PhD student Shawn Hercules, biology, took fifth spot with “Breast cancer: the racial divide.” Hercules receives $100 and a $25 Phoenix gift card.
Third through fifth place finishers also receive the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Communicating Graduate Research at the Graduate Student Recognition Awards ceremony in November 2019.
Julian Yabut also received the Competitor’s Choice award, after being voted top spot by his fellow 3MT presenters – earning him an additional $250 and a $25 gift card for the Phoenix Craft House and Grill.
Gil Niessen, a master’s student in communication and new media, was the top place presenter from the Faculty of Humanities, earning her a faculty award worth $250.
The Ontario Provincial Three Minute Thesis competition is on Wednesday, April 17, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the L.R. Wilson Concert Hall. All are welcome to attend.
