3 MT - Three Minute Thesis, Founded by the University of Queensland logo.

In 2025, UMass Lowell (UML) joined the quickly growing Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition, a program designed to help graduate students explain their research in a succinct and compelling way to general, non-specialist audiences.

Developed by the University of Queensland (UQ), the exercise cultivates students’ academic, presentation and research communication skills. The first 3MT competition was held at UQ in 2008 with 160 Research Higher Degree students competing. Today 3MT competitions are held in more than 900 universities in more than 85 countries worldwide.

2026 UML 3MT® Dates

The 2026 UML 3MT competition has passed. Details and instructions for participating in the 2027 competition will be announced soon. Below are the dates and resources for the 2026 competition for reference.

The training sessions are open to all graduate students, while only advanced doctoral students are eligible for the competition itself.

2026 Prizes - a student could win up to $1,000!

  • 1st prize: $750
  • 2nd place: $500
  • 3rd place: $250
  • People's choice: $250

The winner goes on to regionals, and from there to nationals if they win.

2026 3 Minute Thesis winners stand with the Head and Associate Head of the Graduate School.

UMass Lowell (UML) hosted its second annual 3MT® competition on March 20, 2026. Read event highlights in the news article about the 3MT® finals.

We are proud to announce the winners of the 2026 3MT® competition:

First Prize

Chandni Shadev, Doctoral Candidate
Department of Public Health
Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences
Presentation Title: Invisible Barriers: The Untold Struggle Behind HIV Treatment Adherence in Black Women

  • :00-:02: Title slide: 2026 UMass Lowell Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition; First Prize, Chandni Shahdev, Ph.D. Candidate, Public Health, Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences, Invisible Barriers: The Untold Struggle Behind HIV Treatment Adherence in Black Women
  • :02-:38: Chandni speaking
  • :38-1:01: Stigma and depression combined with peer support, mental health care, and basic needs support can lead to women with HIV taking their medications
  • 1:01-2:30: Chandni speaking

Second Prize (Tied)

Isaac Amao, Doctoral Candidate
Department of Biomedical and Nutritional Sciences
Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences
Presentation Title: Hesperidin: Your Gut's Superhero Against Colorectal Cancer

  • 00-:03: Title slide: 2026 UMass Lowell Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition; Second Prize (tie), Isaac Oluwasogo Amao, Ph.D. Candidate, Biomedical and Nutritional Sciences, Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences, Hesperidin: Your Gut’s Superhero Against Colorectal Cancer
  • :03-:47: Isaac speaking
  • :38-1:22: Comic strip with a bad western diet affecting colon health on the left, hesperidin as a superhero in the middle, and good bacteria supporting a healthy colon on the right
  • 1:22-2:53: Isaac speaking

Second Prize (Tied)

Myat Su Tin, Doctoral Candidate
Department of Global Studies
College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Presentation Title: From Social Media Narratives to Political Support

  • :00-:02: Title slide: 2026 UMass Lowell Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition; Second Prize (tie), Myat Su Tin, Ph.D. Candidate, Global Studies, College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, From Social Media Narrative to Political Support
  • :02-:24: Myat Su speaking
  • :24-:53: Illustration of people scrolling social media on their phones leading to speaking out, protesting, remaining silent, or considering personal risk in political support outcomes. Attitudes vary by location, whether living in the conflict area, diaspora, or internationally.
  • :53-2:55: Myat Su speaking

Past Winners