LGS 2026 Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) and Master’s Showcase
Laney Graduate School is pleased to announce the return of the Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) and Master’s Showcase, a signature academic competition that celebrates the power of clear, compelling research communication. The annual event challenges graduate students to present their research to a non-specialist audience in just three minutes, without sacrificing rigor, relevance, or impact.
Designed to strengthen students’ communication and public speaking skills, 3MT and the Master’s Showcase offer participants an opportunity to step beyond disciplinary boundaries and articulate the significance of their work in accessible, engaging ways.
The competition unfolds in two rounds. During the preliminary round, eligible participants present their research in person to a panel of judges. Finalists are then selected to advance to the live finals event, an energetic and celebratory showcase that highlights the breadth and depth of graduate research across Laney. Open to the Emory community, the finals provide an opportunity to celebrate graduate scholarship and the diverse questions driving discovery across disciplines.
To support participants, Laney will offer a series of preparatory workshops focused on communicating concisely, and developing confident public speaking skills. These workshops are designed to help students succeed not only in the competition, but also in professional settings where clear communication is essential.
Application deadline:12 p.m. (noon), January 30, 2026
Preliminary Round: February 10–13, 2026 (in person)
Finals Event: Wednesday, March 18, 2026 (live, in person)
Last year’s 3MT and Master’s Showcase demonstrated just how powerful effective storytelling can be. Jonathan Owen, a fourth-year PhD candidate in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, took first place with his presentation, “How a Virus Makes Spaghetti.” By drawing on the universal appeal of spaghetti, Owen explained how flaviviruses rearrange host cell membranes, transforming a complex scientific process into an accessible and memorable story.
Also recognized were Nahara Vargas-Maldonado, the runner-up; Xiaofan Mu, winner of the Master’s Showcase; and Maia Vierengel, who earned the People’s Choice Award.