Participants will have just three minutes to present the significance of their thesis work to a non-specialist audience—an invaluable experience that builds confidence, clarity, and academic presence.

The deadline to apply is January 19, 2026.

Why Participate?

The 3MT® competition is more than just a challenge—it’s an opportunity to:

• Refine Communication Skills: Learn to articulate complex ideas in a clear and easy to understand manner
• Build Confidence: Gain experience presenting to diverse audiences.
• Enhance Career Development: Develop essential skills for both academic and non-academic careers.
• Win Prizes: Compete for cash awards and the chance to represent the University of Manitoba at the Western Regional 3MT® Competition.

Who Can Apply?

The competition is open to all graduate students currently enrolled in thesis-based programs (Master’s or PhD) at the University of Manitoba.

How to Apply

Interested students can access the application form via the UM 3MT® website and submit their application by January 19th, 2026 by 4:00pm. Challengers accepted to compete will be notified in early February.

About the 3MT® Competition

Originating at the University of Queensland, Australia, the 3MT® competition has grown into a global event that challenges students to present their research concisely, using just one static slide and no props. The University of Manitoba has proudly participated in this initiative, showcasing the outstanding research conducted by its graduate students since 2013. “This is an opportunity for students to step into the research spotlight and expand the audience for their work across the UM and beyond”, says Kelley Main, Dean of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

The event will once again be hosted by Colleen Bready, CTV News Weather Specialist, returning as emcee for the fifth year in a row. Her energy, professionalism, and long-standing support of the competition continue to elevate the experience for participants and audience members alike.

For More Information

Visit umanitoba.ca/3mt for details on eligibility, application requirements, and key dates. Previous years recordings of the events can also be found on the website.

Don’t miss this chance to share your passion for research and make your mark in the 2026 3MT® Competition!

3MT is an international graduate student research communication competition developed in 2008 by The University of Queensland (UQ) where challengers have just three minutes to present their research and its importance in plain language, using only a single slide to illustrate their topic. The competitors are judged on comprehension, engagement, ease of communication while providing an understanding of the background and significance of their research.

The UM 2025 3MT event began in March with 37 challengers from 18 different departments who each explained their complex research to a panel of judges and audience members. The winners from those three heats have now moved on to the finals.

Students – both master’s and doctoral students – will now compete for the Dr. Archie McNicol Prize for First Place ($2000), the UM Retirees Prize for Second Place ($1250), and the Blenham & Associates prize for third place ($500).

Judges Loren Oschipok, Moses (Moe) Levy, and Renée Cable will determine the winners of the top prizes, while the audience—both in-person and online—will cast their votes for the People’s Choice Award ($200).

As well, the first place winner will advance to the Western Canada regional competition on May 6, 2025, hosted by the University of Victoria.

Meet our students:

Adewunmi Giwa
PhD student in Food Science
“Stripping cancer’s armor: How pea bioactive peptides trigger cancer self-destruction”

What is your presentation about?

My presentation is about using plant-derived bioactive peptides to target a key cancer survival mechanism. Specifically, I focus on how peptides from peas can block GPX4, an antioxidant endogenous enzyme that protects cancer cells from destruction. By inhibiting GPX4, we can trigger ferroptosis—a specialized form of cell death—making cancer cells self-destruct without harming healthy cells.

What are you trying to demonstrate or what problem are you trying to solve?

I am addressing the problem of cancer treatment resistance and harmful side effects. Traditional therapies like chemotherapy often fail because cancer cells adapt and develop resistance. Worse, these treatments attack both cancerous and healthy cells, leading to life-threatening complications. My research explores a plant-based, targeted approach that weakens cancer’s defenses without causing collateral damage.

Why did you want to do 3MT?

I wanted to participate in 3MT because my research has real-world implications, and I believe it should be communicated in a way that everyone can understand. Cancer affects millions of people, and if my work can contribute to a better treatment strategy, it’s important that I share it beyond academic circles.

What has your 3MT experience been like so far?

It has been both challenging and rewarding. Condensing my research into just three minutes while keeping it engaging has pushed me to think differently about how I communicate science. I’ve refined my delivery, learned to emphasize the most impactful points, and received valuable feedback on making my message clearer and more compelling.

What are your future plans?

I plan to continue my research on the bioactive properties of plant proteins, with a long-term goal of contributing to cancer treatment strategies. I hope to work in a cancer research institute in Canada, where I can apply my expertise in Food Science to develop functional foods or nutraceuticals that support cancer prevention and treatment.

Anne Manson
PhD student in Human Nutritional Sciences
“Using oxylipins to inform dietary omega-3 fat intake and heart drug development”

What is your presentation about?

My presentation summarizes the key findings of my PhD research. For my thesis, I developed two methods, one to be able to use oxylipins as indicators of dietary omega-3 fat intake for optimal health, and the other is a method to guide heart drug development. In my talk I highlight what we discovered in each of my PhD studies and their potential impact.

Why did you want to do 3MT?

I had considered doing 3MT for a long time, but I always felt I needed a clearer picture of what my PhD thesis would end up looking like before I could summarize it in just three minutes. And you simply don’t know in the beginning. I didn’t want to just make a “promise”, but I would rather give people a concrete answer. Now that I am writing my thesis, it felt like the right time. I have always been impressed by other 3MT challengers, who can distill extensive research ideas, plans and results in just three minutes. In my mind, that would be nearly impossible. I wanted to take on that challenge and prove to myself that I could do it too.

What has your 3MT experience been like so far?

It’s definitely a challenge to condense something so complex into just three minutes. The shorter the time you have to communicate, the harder it is. This is especially true when translating scientific research into terms that make sense to a general audience. But it is also a rewarding experience, and I have enjoyed the process of refining my message, thinking about how to say it in a way to resonate with people, and most importantly, what were the key points to talk about.

What are your future plans?

I am in the final stages of my PhD and preparing to finish it in the next few months. After that I plan to continue my research through a postdoctoral fellowship. I am pretty excited as I will be learning how to apply oxylipins in epidemiology, and this opens up new ways to explore their role in health and disease.

Don’t miss this exciting event on Tuesday April 1st at 7:00pm, at the Robert B. Shultz Theatre in St. John’s College at the Fort Garry Campus.

Register to attend in person at or watch online live.

The annual event is inspired by the fall of the Berlin Wall on Nov. 9, 1989, and unites the world’s greatest minds that are breaking down barriers in science, society and innovation.

“I am grateful and absolutely humbled to have been able to represent the University of Manitoba at such an important event,” said De Leon, an MD/PhD candidate in the Max Rady College of Medicine. “It was amazing to share the stage with 100 passionate thinkers and dreamers from countries all around the globe who are trying to face the world’s greatest challenges head on.”

De Leon gave his presentation, Breaking the Wall of Prenatal Diagnostics, at Manitoba Falling Walls Lab, held at Smartpark in September.

“The presentations in Berlin were phenomenal and broadened my perspective of what I thought possible,” De Leon said. “During one of the days of the conference I took my skateboard and, little did I know, holding a skateboard while wearing a suit was an incredible invitation for networking. I created many lasting relationships with new collaborators who share the goal of bringing humanity back into medicine.”

De Leon also won first place at the 2021 UM Three Minute Thesis finals, where he took home the Dr. Archie McNicol Prize.

The Manitoba Falling Walls Lab competition is hosted by the Partnerships, Knowledge Mobilization and Innovation office, supported by many partners from inside and outside UM, to elevate ideas of UM community members with the potential to reshape the future of science and humanity.

“It was mind-blowing being in Berlin among so many global innovation leaders, sponsored by the European Research Council and many of the German U15 research-intensive universities,” said Dr. Hans-Joachim Wieden, associate vice-president (partnerships, knowledge mobilization and innovation) at UM, who was in Berlin for De Leon’s presentation.

“UM participation at Falling Walls provides access to a global innovation network and is perfectly aligned with our vision for the newly launched Idea Start program. Canada had a great showing, and the pitch by Dina Rogers from Dalhousie University entitled Biological Plastic Degradation was the 2024 global Falling Walls Lab winner.”

The Falling Walls Science Summit showcases breakthroughs to tackle today’s major global challenges, such as climate change, health crises and technological upheavals. Get involved on the Manitoba Falling Walls Lab webpage. What walls will you break?

You can show your support for Alagarsamy by casting your vote for him for the People’s Choice award. The ballot will be available on May 25 here.

Before Alagarsamy travels to Saskatoon for regionals, UM Today spoke to him about his research in UM’s department of physiology and pathophysiology and his plans for the future.

HOW DID IT FEEL TO WIN UM’S 3MT COMPETITION?

I was experiencing a blend of excitement and relief which was the culmination of my hard work and dedication toward crafting a prize-worthy presentation. The daily effort and the stress that had built up over time dissipated when I was announced as the first-place winner, which was both joyous and satisfying. Moreover, this achievement significantly bolstered my self-confidence, serving as a powerful reminder of my abilities and potential to excel in future endeavors.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR RESEARCH

Heart disease is the number one killer worldwide and in Canada which costs the government over 2 billion dollars every year collectively. Heart disease leads to heart attack which impairs the normal functioning of your heart slowly compromising your ability to do any work. Hence using stem cells and nanomaterials I am trying to regenerate the damaged heart post heart attack so that offers the patients a solution to lead a normal life.

I find it interesting how machines and materials can heal humans. I’ve always felt that the study of biology makes it easier to understand the mechanics of machines in the body hence I was able to pursue my higher education in these fields so that I can learn and make an impact so that one day I can give something back to society.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO PURSUE AS A CAREER?

Following the completion of my PhD, my aspirations include pursuing a postdoctoral research position in a renowned laboratory. My ultimate goal is to establish myself as an independent researcher/professor at a prestigious North American institution, focusing on the cutting-edge field of regenerative medicine.

The students took home three of the four prizes at the University of Manitoba’s annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) final on March 30.

Keshav Narayan Alagarsamy, a PhD student in physiology and pathophysiology at the Max Rady College of Medicine, won this year’s Dr. Archie McNicol Prize for First Place and $2,500.

Akshi Malik, also a PhD student in physiology and pathophysiology, received the UM Retirees Association Prize for Second Place and $1,250.

Dr. Olubukola Olatosi, a PhD student in oral biology at the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, clinched the People’s Choice Award and $200. 

“Congratulations to the students, who did an outstanding job of representing the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences at the 3MT final,” said Dr. Peter Nickerson, vice-provost (health sciences), dean, Max Rady College of Medicine, and dean, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences.

“They showcased the valuable research our graduate students are working on and showed the importance of being able to explain their complicated work in plain language to reach a larger audience.”

3MT competitors must summarize their research and its importance without using any notes or props. They are allowed to use a single slide to illustrate their topic.

Alagarsamy has mixed feelings about beating out the other 11 UM graduate students who made the final from an initial field of 34 competitors. He’s happy he was victorious, but he’s anxious about having to represent UM at the Western Regional 3MT Competition on May 25.

“I have very good presentation skills, but I’m always nervous,” he said. “I’m a very nervous guy. I have great stage fear. If I can do it, then anyone can do it.”

In front of the audience on the Fort Garry campus, Alagarsamy calmed his nerves and presented his thesis project on the capacity to use stem cells and nanomaterials to regenerate a damaged heart after a heart attack. The goal of the research is to allow more heart disease patients to lead normal lives.

“I congratulate Keshav on this wonderful achievement,” said Dr. Sanjiv Dhingra, a professor of physiology and pathophysiology who is Alagarsamy’s advisor. “I think winning the 3MT competition will further help him to achieve his career goals.”

It was Dhingra who motivated Alagarsamy to take part in the competition. With his advisor’s encouragement, and his labmates’ suggestions on how to improve his presentation, Alagarsamy practised his performance over and over. To get ready for the Western Regional 3MT Competition at the University of Saskatchewan, he’s going to do more of the same.

“I’m grateful for what happened today, and I’ll try my best in the future as well,” Alagarsamy said.

Akshi Malik

Like Alagarsamy, Malik put in a lot of practice to fine-tune her presentation. She recited her performance whenever she could – from the shower to lunchtime.  

“I felt really, really amazing while I was presenting, so I think it was a well-earned place,” said Malik, whose advisor is Dr. Pawan Singal, a professor of physiology and pathophysiology. 

Malik’s research is seeking to understand how the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin affects the hearts of cancer patients, as well as looking for a cardioprotective agent that can prevent doxorubicin-induced heart failure.

Dr. Olubukola Olatosi

While the judges were wowed by Alagarsamy and Malik’s performances, Olatosi was voted by the audience as its favourite.

Olatosi was thankful for the people who voted for her and said she’s no longer afraid to speak in public.

“Getting to the finals and getting the People’s Choice Award is quite an amazing feeling,” she said. “I feel so happy and so glad.”

Olatosi’s research focuses on determining the strategies to implement the novel Canadian Caries Risk Assessment Tool and to provide guidelines for implementation to improve the oral health of Indigenous children. Her advisor is Dr. Robert Schroth, professor of preventive dental science at the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry.

Daniel Schwade Araujo, a PhD student in applied health sciences, a joint program between the College of Rehabilitation Sciences and the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, and Michelle Morello, a master’s student in genetic counselling at the Max Rady College of Medicine, also took part in the 3MT final.

Watch the participants’ 3MT presentations.

He was chosen from a group of 12 finalists in a competition that challenges graduate students to summarize their thesis in just three minutes. The goal is to effectively communicate complex research to a non-specialized audience in an engaging manner.

Passionate about the ability of machines and materials to heal humans, Alagarsamy is combining stem cell technology with nanotechnology to create personalised heart cells that can regenerate a damaged heart after a heart attack.

“One of the most rewarding aspects of my 3MT experience was the exhilarating challenge of delivering a flawless presentation despite experiencing nerves on multiple occasions,” explains Alagarsamy.

“This journey played a significant role in building my self-confidence and enhancing my understanding of my project. I am immensely grateful to my advisor, Dr. Sanjiv Dhingra, for his unwavering support and encouragement throughout my project. I also extend my heartfelt thanks to my labmates, colleagues at the St. Boniface Research Center, friends, and family for their assistance in overcoming my fears and instilling the confidence I needed to excel in the 3MT challenge.”

Alagarsamy received $2,500 for his first place win, which was watched by over 700 people in person and online.

The event was hosted by CTV’s Colleen Bready in front of a panel of esteemed UM alumni: Anita Wortzman, President, The Asper Foundation; Destiny Seymour, Founder, Indigo Arrows; and James Schellenberg, Founder & CEO, Cubresa Inc.

“Every year I am impressed by the passion and poise that our graduate students bring to this amazing event,” said Dr. Kelley Main, Acting Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies. “This event is such an important highlight of the work our graduate students do at UM.”

Three other graduate students also received prizes in the 3MT final:

SECOND PLACE: Akshi Malik
Department: Physiology and pathophysiology
Advisor: Dr. Pawan K. Singal

UM Retirees Association presents Akshi Malik with her second place trophy.

With one in four cancer patients developing heart failure due to chemotherapy drugs, Malik is working to eliminate this trade-off in cancer treatment. Her research focuses on understanding the mechanisms through which Doxorubicin, a chemotherapy drug, affects the hearts of cancer patients, as well as looking for a cardioprotective agent that can prevent Doxorubicin-induced heart failure.

“I will forever cherish the moment when I was on stage and did my best. The happy high I felt after the talk was incomparable to any presentation I have given before. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I hope to graduate soon and work in the field of scientific outreach and communication. There is a lot of impactful research being done that the general public is not aware of and I would like to make science more accessible through my presentation skills and enthusiasm for science.”

Watch Akshi Malik’s 3MT presentation.

THIRD PLACE: Shayna Giesbrecht
Department: Microbiology
Advisor: Dr. Michael Becker

Dr. Diane Hiebert-Murphy, Provost and Vice-President (Academic) presents Shayna Giesbrecht with her third place trophy.

Giesbrecht’s research seeks to establish methods to use wastewater for tracking the incidence of sexually transmitted blood-borne infections, which will contribute meaningful information to infection outbreak prevention and response in the future. She was inspired by Manitoba leaders during the pandemic who put the health of Manitobans’ first and is driven to continue working in disease prevention at the government level helping smaller communities respond to infectious disease outbreaks.

“One of my favourite things about 3MT that is not necessarily available in other research settings is getting to learn about advanced research and its impacts in really accessible language. 3MT is so audience friendly that my grandparents were able to watch online! I feel so honoured to have been chosen as the third place winner for this year. This year’s competition was incredibly strong, so to be chosen as a winner is a massive privilege.”

Watch Shayna Giesbrecht’s 3MT presentation.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE: Olubukola Olatosi
Department: Oral biology
Advisor: Dr. Robert Schroth

Dr. Kelley Main, Acting Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies presents Olubukola Olatosi with the People’s Choice award.

With a greater focus on promoting early childhood oral health, Olatosi’s research goal is to see a reduction in the incidence of early childhood caries among Indigenous Canadian children. Her research focuses on determining the strategies to implementing the novel Canadian Caries Risk Assessment Tool and to provide guidelines for implementation to improve the oral health of Indigenous children.

“The 3MT competition was a great experience for me, it was very competitive and I enjoyed the support from the community. This program helped me to sharpen my communication skills. It gave me a platform to disseminate my research focus. I wish to congratulate everyone who took part in this competition. I enjoyed the great support we gave each other. It was fun!”

Watch Olubukola Olatosi’s 3MT presentation.

As the first place winner, Alagarsamy will go on to represent the University of Manitoba at the Western Regional 3MT Competition at the University of Saskatchewan on May 25, 2023.

Watch the live event recording of the 3MT final on YouTube.

After being selected from three rigorous heats over the past month, twelve finalists are now ready compete in the 3MT Finals on March 30.

Here’s what you can look forward to when you watch the competition:

Get Inspired by Innovative Research

The UM community is home to hundreds of innovative research projects. 3MT presentations cover a diverse range of subdisciplines that represent the cutting edge of academia – the minds of students, their advisors, their mentors, and other scholars who have impacted their work.

This year’s finalists will share their ideas on topics like portable breast cancer screening, sustainable farming methods, using virtual reality and artificial intelligence to treat dementia, and improving food security.

A great finalist takes intricate ideas and turns them into a presentation that’s easy for audiences and judges to grasp even with little-to-no background on the topic. 3MT is a great opportunity to learn from research under a competition spotlight, making for an incredibly entertaining and captivating stage. For aspiring grad students, 3MT presentations might just help you figure out what’s next for you.

Experience the Thrill of Competition

Each of the twelve finalists present back-to-back and are judged live in this dynamic competition. The winners will take home up almost $5,000 in cash prizes.

CTV News Winnipeg’s Colleen Bready will host the event, alongside a judging panel of outstanding UM alumni: Destiny Seymour, Founder, Indigo Arrows; James Schellenberg, Founder and CEO, Cubresa Inc.; and Anita Wortzman, President, The Asper Foundation.

Vote for a Winner

What better way to engage in the competition than by getting the audience to cast their votes! The night will end with the judging panel awarding the first, second, and third place winners, but the audience will vote for the People’s Choice award. Your support is important to these finalists, but your vote will have an even bigger impact!

Support UM Students

It’s already an achievement to complete a research program and develop a thesis, but to compete in 3MT is another level of excellence. These finalists have worked extremely hard to prepare for this competition, writing their presentation down to the last syllable and practicing for hours and hours to make all 180 seconds count.

“I would like to invite everyone with an interest in supporting graduate student research at UM to attend or tune into the 3MT finals on March 30th”, says Kelley Main, Acting Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies. “Come and cheer on our students and their amazing accomplishments!”

The public and UM community are invited to watch in person or live on YouTube.

Thursday, March 30
7:00 PM
Schultz Lecture Theatre (172 St. John’s College)
or
Watch live on YouTube

2023 Three Minute Thesis Finalists

Rashmita Chatterjee
Biomedical Engineering (PhD)
Strengthening the brain’s internal GPS as a means to battle Alzheimer’s

Olubukola Olatosi
Oral Biology (PhD)
Exploring strategies for implementing a culturally informed caries risk assessment tool used by non-dental primary care providers for young First Nations and Métis children in Manitoba

Daniel Schwade Araujo
Applied Health Sciences (PhD)
Metabolomics: New biomarkers of heart disease in older females

Brynne Blaikie
Physics and Astronomy (PhD)
100 Billion Times Smaller than an Atom: Using Electrons to Search for New Physics

Harshani Hewage
Food Science (PhD)
Sustainable technologies for protein ingredient development and functionalization from Canadian crops

Keshav Narayan Alagarsamy
Physiology and Pathophysiology (PhD)
Using personalised stem cell technology for heart regeneration.

Shayna Giesbrecht
Microbiology (MSc)
Quantification of the prevalence of sexually transmitted blood-borne infections in Canadian wastewater samples

Akshi Malik
Physiology and Pathophysiology (PhD)
The cardio-protective role of EMPA in Doxorubicin-induced heart failure

Dorsa Jeddi
Biosystems Engineering (MSc)
Revolutionizing legume processing for future food security

Michelle Morello
Genetic Counselling (MSc)
Exploring the integration of Expanded Carrier Screening within Canadian fertility clinics

Jarrad Perron
Biomedical Engineering (PhD)
Data-Driven identification of prodromal Alzheimer’s disease

Gabrielle Fontaine
Physics and Astronomy (PhD)
Safe, portable, and low-cost breast cancer screening for First Nation and Northern Communities

36 students from 18 departments will be presenting at 3 different heats taking place on campus for the first time since 2019! 

Check out the list of challengers who will be competing in heats this year. 

This competition gives graduate students the opportunity to present their research in plain language using a single slide to illustrate their ideas. They will be assessed by judges at the heats, where three challengers from each heat will advance to the final competition taking place on March 30th. 

All of the heats as well as the final event are open to all students and the public to attend to learn about the innovative research taking place at the UM.  “There is so much excitement at having the heats be an in-person event for the first time since the pandemic started. The sound of clapping doesn’t come across in virtual platforms the same way it does in person! I hope many of the UM community consider coming to support our graduate students.” said Kelley Main, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

The Schedule for the 3MT Heats for 2023:

Heat #1 – Tuesday February 28th, 1-3pm at EITC Room 262, Fort Garry Campus 

Heat #2 – Thursday March 2nd , 1-3pm at EITC Room 262, Fort Garry Campus 

Heat #3 – Friday March 3rd, 10am-12pm at Theatre C, Basic Medical Sciences, Bannatyne Campus 

“Participating in 3MT really helped me a lot. It gave me self confidence, helped me overcome my fear of public speaking and also helped me improve my presentation skills,” said Pranav Mishra who won UM’s 2022 3MT and went on to compete at the regional level. “Students generally present their research work in science related conferences only, but rarely get a chance to come forward in front of the public. 3MT competition helps to overcome this as it provides a strong platform to all the students to talk about their research in front of a non-specialist audience.” 

Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland. For more information on the UM 3MT competition visit the U of M 3MT® website. 

Lots of programs, events, and activities have been planned outside of formal classes. One of the highlights that I am really excited to share with you, is the return of the rink on the Quad at the Fort Garry campus! Beginning January 13^th, grab your friends and your skates, and head over to the Quad for some wintertime skating fun between classes!

UMSU is also hosting Frost Fest between January 9^th-20^th. From the 9^th-13^th there’s free breakfast at 9:30am on the 1^st floor UC and a snow sculpting competition taking place on the Buller Lawn every day. They have lots more planned – visit @studentsofumsu on Instagram for more details.

As always, there are many personal and academic supports available for all undergraduate and graduate students throughout the term.

• If you are a new student, check out UM Commons, a site filled with resources and helpful tips to support you in making a successful transition to the University of Manitoba.
• If you are a new international student, the International Centre is holding a number of welcome sessions for new international students from January 9^th – 19^th, including a late orientation session for those who were not able to attend on January 5^th.

UM Libraries is now offering many non-textbook course materials via Reading Lists in UM Learn at no cost to students. If you have a perceptual disability, screen-reader friendly and alternate format are also available through Student Accessibility Services.

Need to print? UM Libraries provides access to printing from a library computer or from your personal device.

UM’s Annual Career Fair co-hosted by Career Services and the Asper School of Business returns to an in-person format January 17^th-18^th. Connect with employers, explore potential career opportunities, network with the business community, and learn how your formal education and out-of-class experiences help you to prepare for future employment.

Are you interested in an intercultural experience on campus? Applications for the Intercultural Leaders program close on January 11^th and the Language Exchange program closes on January 18^th.

Did you know that UM has international exchange partnerships with 50 institutions in over 20 destinations? International exchanges are outstanding opportunities for you to fulfill your course requirements while gaining important intercultural competencies, deepening your understanding of issues that transcend borders, and gaining new insights and perspectives in your field of study. Consider applying to participate in an international exchange – the application deadline is January 31^st!

Calling all grad students! Three Minute Thesis/Ma these en 180 secondes applications are now open ! These competitions are unique opportunities for graduate students to showcase your research to a wider audience across disciplines within the University, and to the broader public, with the possibility of winning some great cash prizes.

Let’s protect the herd. As our healthcare system continues to be strained, UM has extended its mask mandate for the Winter Term. Protect yourself and those around you and always wear a mask when indoors on all UM campuses. Free masks will be available to all students during the first week of classes. Stop by one of the tables set up in the Frank Kennedy tunnel, UMSU University Centre, Fletcher Argue hallway, and Engineering atrium. You can also find free masks at the Libraries.

Make sure to focus on your wellness. Whether you want to add some tools to your self-care toolkit or need immediate help, there is support for you throughout your studies, regardless of your level of need.

Boost your physical and mental health with Recreation Services. As a student, you have access to state-of-the-art fitness facilities in a welcoming and inclusive environment, conveniently located on campus. To activate your student gym access, simply log in to your Aurora account, fill out the gym waiver, and you’ll be notified when your pass is active. It’s that easy!

Affordable dental care is available at the Bannatyne campus! The Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry’s general clinic offers exceptional dental and oral health care at a lower cost. Under the supervision of practicing dentists and dental hygienists, UM dental and dental hygiene students provide services that cost up to 50 percent less than private practices. The clinic is just one bus away from the Fort Garry campus (Winnipeg Transit’s 36 Northwest Super Express). For more information, visit: https://www.umanitoba.ca/dentistry/general-clinic. 

Get involved this Term!

Cheer on the Bisons every weekend! Get a group of friends together and be a part of the action. It’s a great way to socialize and support the UM Bisons. Claim your free tickets online. For full schedule details, visit gobisons.ca.

Indigenous student programming gives you the opportunity to get involved, with holistic programs, services and supports for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students. Follow the Indigenous events calendar for cultural learning and other activities.

Stay connected to what’s happening across our campuses:

• Check your inbox every Tuesday for UM’s student e-newsletter Student Weekly.

• Follow @umstudent on Instagram and TikTok.

 Mini U Programs is hiring! Applications are now being accepted for summer positions, including supervisors, leaders, and coaches. Develop transferrable skills, get official UM recognition, and make important connections on campus – consider joining the Mini U team today!

I want to hear from you! Over the coming months I will be hosting drop-ins at various locations on our campuses. I want to connect with you, learn more about your experiences at UM, and hear your ideas. Stay tuned for more details in the coming days.

Wishing you a productive, inspiring term. I’m looking forward to seeing you soon!

My best.

…Laurie

Mishra, a third-year student at the Max Rady College of Medicine, is working with advisors Drs. Paul Fernyhough and Benedict Albensi. His research involves working with the sex hormone estrogen to see how it can decrease inflammation and increase mitochondrial function in the brain, consequently improving the survival of brain cells.

He explained his thesis on the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease to a panel of judges and a viewing audience online, competing against eleven other graduate students from a variety of disciplines. Mishra received $2,500 for first place in the competition, which received over 2,100 views online. He now moves on to the Western Regional 3MT competition on May 6, 2022, hosted by the University of Winnipeg. Everyone is encouraged to watch the competition in person* or via live stream and vote for Pranav as People’s Choice!

Watch the 3MT Western Regional 3MT competition
May 6, 2022
2 p.m. Central time
Link to live stream

UM Today asked him a few questions about his success at the 3MT competition, and why other graduate students should participate in 3MT.

What was it like for you to win the UM 3MT competition?

 Winning the finals was like a dream coming true. I was thrilled and had a rush of confidence and positive energy. This amazing opportunity enabled me to share my work with such a large audience. I’m really glad that my efforts paid off. I can still feel this sense of achievement, and I am happy I could make my advisors, family, and friends proud.

Why do you think the judges selected your research?

 While preparing my talk for the 3MT competition, I made sure that whatever I speak should be understandable and easy to follow by the general audience. I stuck to it and kept my talk clear and concise and, explained any jargons that I used. My area of research (Alzheimer’s disease) is a worldwide concern that has created enormous strain on the health care system and families of the affected. I believe I was able to convey the gravity of my research in simple terms and my speech was explicit which is why the judges selected my research.

Why is the 3MT competition important for students and for research in general?

The students generally present their research work in science related conferences only, but rarely get a chance to come forward in front of the public. 3MT competition helps to overcome this as it provides a strong platform to all the students to talk about their research in front of a non-specialist audience. When you present your work in front of someone, it helps you to understand you own project better. 3MT competition also promotes research by enabling one to see how their research work fits in a larger picture.

*  The University of Winnipeg requires all non-UW guests to be registered as visitors in order to be given a visitor pass to access campus. Those planning to attend the competition in person should RSVP to c.garland@uwinnipeg.ca by Wednesday, May 4. Visitors should report to the Security Office in Centennial Hall when first arriving to provide ID and attain their visitor’s pass.