Three minute thesis competition

Over 250 people - members of the University Council, academic and professional staff from UON, HDR candidates, UON alumni, UON donors and members of the Newcastle community - packed into the Harold Lobb Hall at the Conservatorium to enjoy the 3MT Final on 24 August, hosted by UON Graduate Research.

Describing a 3-4 year research project in 3 minutes with only 1 PowerPoint slide to a non-expert audience is not an easy task but our 15 finalists (3 from each Faculty) wow-ed the audience with both their research and their poise and communication skills!!

In the words of one of the judges: "...a most inspiring event. It’s quite comforting to know our future is in such good hands - tremendous work and commitment displayed by this year’s brilliant students."

Feedback from members of the audience: "Every single one of the students should be so proud of their achievements, they were all winners in my opinion."

I went to [3 minute Thesis] presentation and it is real delight to see how far our University is going and how close to the heart of Newcastle is. There are such interesting projects. All us Novocastrians should be very proud of our Newcastle University.

This year's event was further enhanced by sponsorship from UniBank and the Coop and a reception following the presentations co-hosted by UON's Office of Alumni and Philanthropy and UON Graduate Research.

It was certainly a very difficult job for the three judges: Deborah Wright, CEO of 2 NURFM; Dr Nathaniel Bavinton, Smart City Coordinator Newcastle City Council; Peter Cockbain AM, Co-founder and Company Director Ampcontrol.

First Place. $5000 for research-related expenses and representing UON at the Asia-Pacific Final.
Hannah May Brown, PhD (Nutrition and Dietetics) candidate: “A new APProach to nutritional education in pregnancy”

Second Place. $2,000 for research-related expenses.
Caitlin Chambers, PhD (Biology) candidate: “Chip off the old block: Multigenerational impact of paternal acrylamide exposure”

Third Place. $1,000 for research-related expenses.
Andreas Kromik, PhD (Mechanical Engineering) candidate: “Metallic Glass – Driver of the Future”

People’s Choice Award.
Sean Hardy, PhD (Medicine) candidate: “ECM1 – A novel link between inflammation and cardiac fibrosis”