Announcing the 2025 Three-Minute Thesis Competition Winners

Twenty seven Idaho State University graduate students presented their individual research on November 13 at the L.E. and Thelma E. Stephens Performing Arts Center.

Graduate students representing the College of Arts & Letters, the College of Science & Engineering, and the College of Health were tasked with presenting their research to a general audience in three minutes for the ISU Graduate School’s 9th Annual Three-Minute Thesis Competition. 

Will Kimball, this year’s 3MT winner, described what makes 3MT unique.

“Explaining the background of your work, the work you have done for years, and where it can go from there, all in three minutes, can be difficult," he said. "However, this same constraint makes it a very approachable and exciting way to learn quickly.”

Founded by the Australian University of Queensland during a drought, the idea for Three-Minute Thesis came from the practice of taking three-minute showers to reduce water consumption. 

“After nine years of helping graduate students prepare for a 3-minute delivery in this style, I can genuinely say ISU has exceptional students diving into relevant, real-world research,” said Dr. Tracy Collum, Interim Dean of the ISU Graduate School. “ It’s a privilege to be a small part of their success stories.”

“It was a unique opportunity first introduced to me through my professors, and what made me want to participate in it was how I would have the chance to present my team's research to a different audience than I would have at my degree-specific state conference,” Brenda Phillips, People’s Choice winner, said. “Presenting at the 3MT gave me the opportunity to share my research with a new audience, giving me the chance to educate and advocate on the importance of our findings.”

The students presented to a general audience and a panel of judges to determine who would take home the cash prize and the winner title. This year’s judges consisted of:

Mustafa Mashal - Special Advisor to the Vice President for Research and Economic Development and Professor of Civil Engineering

Dr. Wendy Ruchti - Associate Professor for Teaching and Educational Studies in the College of Education

Jamie Howerton, M.Coun. - ISU Alumni Association Executive Board Member

The Graduate School was proud to present the cash prizes to the winners of the competition in first, second, and third place, as well as a People’s Choice award, which all audience members, in-person and online, were able to vote for.

1st Place - $2,000

Will Kimball | Chemistry - MS

2nd Place - $1,500

Katelyn Cathcart | Clinical Psychology - PhD

3rd Place - $1,000

Michelle Collier | Public Administration - MPA 

People's Choice - $500

Brenda Phillips | Occupational Therapy - MOT

“It’s inspiring to watch so many passionate students share their work in such a focused, engaging format, and it encourages both presenters and the audience to think differently about research communication,” said Katelyn Cathcart, second place winner. 

“Even if you know your research has the potential to change the world, it will most likely never see implementation if you cannot communicate your science with those outside your niche,” Kimball said. “Additionally, the graduate school is very generous with cash prizes and gifts, so those should serve as great motivation also.”

During the awards reception, with a performance from a live Flamingo Trio consisting of ISU students Tavie Delilo, Reece Dayley, and Joseph Loomis, libations & hors d'oeuvres were enjoyed by guests. 

The competition and awards ceremony livestreams are available to watch on YouTube and the Graduate School website, where you can also view the full list of participants, past winners, and additional 3MT information. The 2025 winners will move on to compete at the state-level 3MT against the University of Idaho and Boise State University on February 17.

If you are interested in learning more about the research taking place at the university, you can attend the Research and Creative Works Symposium in the spring on Wednesday, March 18.