Three Minute Thesis

To be eligible to submit a proposal for the CU Anschutz 3MT, you must meet the following criteria: 

• You are a CU Anschutz student in a doctoral program.
• You have generated results that you will include in your thesis, including data analysis and conclusions.

The 2025 application is not open at this time. If you would like to be notified when the application opens, please submit the Competitor Interest Form. 

The application will request a 100-word synopsis of your thesis. This is your opportunity to provide an attention-getting teaser for your presentation.

1st Place

• $500 cash prize
• Advances to the regional 3MT competition hosted by the Western Association of Graduate Schools (WAGS) and the Colorado Statewide Competition hosted by MSU Denver. 

2nd Place

• $300 cash prize

3rd Place

• $250 cash prize

People's Choice

• $150 Cash Prize

• Single static PowerPoint slide. No slide transitions, animations, or “movement” of any description are allowed. The slide is to be presented from beginning of oration.
• No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.
• No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, lab equipment) are permitted.
• Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum, and participants exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified.
• Presentations are to commence from the stage.
• Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts the presentation through either movement or speech.
• The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Criteria, as established by University of Queensland. Judges will be provided a scoring rubric. 

Comprehension and content

Presentation provided clear background and significance to the research question

Presentation provided clear positionality of the presenter to the research and research approach

Presentation clearly described the research strategy/design and the results/findings of the research

Presentation clearly described the conclusions, outcomes and impact of the research

Engagement and communication

The oration was delivered clearly, and the language was appropriate for a non-specialist audience

The PowerPoint slide was well-defined and enhanced the presentation

The presenter conveyed enthusiasm for their research and captured and maintained the audience’s attention

• A 3MT competitor guide has been provided by the University of Queensland. 
• The Career Development Office will host a preparatory workshop approximately one month prior to competition.

First Place and People’s Choice Award: Grecia Rivera Palomino, Microbiology 

Second Place: Andrew Neumann, Molecular Biology 

Third Place: Destiny DeNicola, Molecular Biology 

Click here to view the 2024 CU Anschutz Graduate School 3MT Competition program.

Click here to view a Graduate School Newsroom article about the event.

First Place: Destiny DeNicola, Molecular Biology 

Second Place: Abigail Mumme-Monheit, Cell Biology, Stem Cells, and Development 

Third Place: Natasia Paukovich, Molecular Biology 

People’s Choice Award: Obed Ofori Nyarko, Integrated Physiology 

Click here to view the 2023 CU Anschutz Graduate School 3MT Competition program. 

Click here to view a Graduate School Newsroom article about the event.