Regina Hosts National 3MT Competition: Students Condense PhDs to 3 Minutes

Eight graduate students from across Canada recently gathered in Regina for the 2026 National 3MT Competition. This prestigious event challenged participants to present their doctoral research within a strict three-minute timeframe, utilizing only one static visual aid. Competitors were tasked with distilling complex academic work into easily understandable concepts, highlighting the impact and significance of their findings.

Among the participants was a PhD student from the University of Calgary, Paula Brandt, whose presentation focused on the protein misfolding aspect of Type 2 diabetes, specifically "Islet Amyloid Polypeptide: The Biological Velcro Creating Sticky Situations in Type 2 Diabetes." Another notable competitor, University of Regina master's student Jaclyn Roach, presented "Before the burnout: Preparing future teachers for the field," addressing the increasing intensity and challenges within the teaching profession.

The Canadian Association for Graduate Studies executive director, Ian Wereley, highlighted the competition's value as a professional development and knowledge mobilization activity. He emphasized that the 3MT format encourages students to rethink and reframe their research, benefiting both the presenters and the general public by providing insights into cutting-edge university research. The winner of the national competition advances to the North American event in Los Angeles.

The competition, now in its sixth year, featured diverse research topics from various Canadian universities. This included advancements in Biomedical Engineering, Biological Sciences, Materials Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Health Sciences, and Medical Sciences. Each student showcased their unique contribution to their respective fields within the demanding three-minute format.