Students showcase work in YSU’s annual Three Minute Thesis competition

Youngstown State University held its annual Three Minute Thesis competition with preliminary rounds Nov. 5 and final rounds Nov. 19 at the Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor.

The 3MT challenges students to present their thesis or dissertation research in three minutes using one static slide to explain their topic concisely to a non-specialist audience.

The finalists for this year’s event were:

• Solomon Atta, Materials Science and Engineering – “Developing High-Quality CdTe Thin Films through Spray Pyrolysis for Photovoltaic Applications”
• Shannon Dudash, Health Science – “From Prevention to Preparedness: Developing and Evaluating a Fall Preparedness Program to Improve Falls Efficacy in Older Adults”
• Lydiah Mairura, Chemistry – “Liquid Junction Photovoltaic Cells Based on Tungsten Oxide Photoelectrodes”
• Ashley Mangie, English – “The Impact of Generative AI Tools on First-Year Writing Students’ Revision Plans”
• Sagar Pandey, Environmental Science – “Heavy Metal Accumulation in Fingernails; A Biomarker for Environmental Exposure in Youngstown, Ohio”

Atta won first place. Dudash earned second place and was voted the People's Choice winner.

The first 3MT was held at the University of Queensland in 2008 with 160 research students competing. The competition has since expanded internationally and continues to challenge students to present their research clearly and effectively.