NEWS

The College of Applied and Natural Science (ANS) hosted the Louisiana Tech University Graduate School 3 Minute Thesis Competition (3MT) for graduate students to present their research. This year’s winner, Kelsey Shoemaker from Ashland, will represent Louisiana Tech at the regional 3MT competition in Tampa, Florida, next year. 

Each participant is given three minutes to present their thesis or dissertation and its significance. The purpose is not to trivialize or “dumb-down” the research but to challenge the students to consolidate their ideas and discoveries so they can be presented to a non-expert audience. 

Eight graduate students in Biology presented research topics ranging from the environment to degenerative neurological diseases, representing the broad range of research areas graduate students in ANS focus on.

Judges scored participants on the comprehension and content of the presentation and engagement with the audience. Students were allowed to utilize one slide with no animations, notes, music, or other aids. 

Shoemaker presented research pursuits on sonderegger pine trees, offering insights to the “south’s most discriminated-against tree.” 

“I am so thankful for the opportunity to represent Louisiana Tech at the regional competition and to bring further awareness to the research we are doing on sonderegger pines,” Shoemaker said.

The following students also received award recognition.

• Second place: Daniel Edwards, Fort Wayne, Indiana
• Third place (tie): Joseph Aubert, Lafayette and Sydney Mashaw, Mangham
• People’s Choice Award: Makenzie Meacham, Cornville, Arizona