The Graduate School and Marquette University held the 3MT® competition on February 20, 2026. The Three Minute Thesis is a global research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland in Australia. It is an academic competition for doctoral and master’s degree students that require each participant to explain his or her research effectively in three minutes, using one slide, with no animation.
The final competition was judged by Ms. Carole DeRoche, President, Dohmen Medical Affairs (retired); Dr. Sarah B. Feldner, Acting Provost, Marquette University; Ms. Krissie Fung, Associate Director, Milwaukee Turners; and Judge Derek Mosley, Director, Lubar Center for Public Policy Research & Civic Education, Marquette University.
Ashmika Behere, a doctoral student in Biological Sciences, won the competition and the grand prize of $500. Her talk was titled: From DNA to Dots: Using CRISPR-Cas9 to Identify the Genetic Basis of Colors and Patterns in Geckos. Ashmika competed at the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools ‘s regional Three Minute Thesis Competition.
Savannah Gutsch and John Omokayode, won the People's Choice Award and runner-up award, each winning $250.
Congratulations and thank you to our winners and competitors from this year’s competition! It was incredible to learn about the research from our graduate students.
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