UCalgary’s 2026 Three Minute Thesis competition returns with powerful research stories

Communicating complex research in just three minutes requires precision, clarity and confidence. At the University of Calgary’s 2026 Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition, graduate students proved that, when the clock is ticking, their ideas can still resonate, transforming years of research into concise, engaging talks designed for a broad audience.

Hosted by the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS), the annual competition challenges participants to say less, mean more and make every second count, using only one static slide and accessible language to explain why their work matters. The result is a dynamic showcase of graduate research that highlights academic excellence alongside the ability to connect ideas beyond disciplinary boundaries.

Top honours this year went to PhD students from the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) and the Faculty of Arts. First place was awarded to Paula Brandt, followed by Jessica Ruffolo in second, while Selena Fu earned both third place and the People’s Choice award, reflecting strong audience engagement alongside judging panel recognition.

“Events like the 3MT Finals are always a reminder of why graduate research is so important,” says Dr. Tara Beattie, PhD, dean and vice‑provost of Graduate Studies. 

“The finalists demonstrated the depth of their work alongside an impressive ability to turn complex ideas into stories that felt clear, engaging and meaningful to a wide audience," says Beattie. "Watching students connect so naturally with the room is incredibly rewarding and speaks to the lasting value of the 3MT experience. I’m genuinely proud of everyone who participated and congratulate all those who helped make this year’s competition such a success.”

First developed at the University of Queensland in 2008, the Three Minute Thesis competition is now held at universities around the world. Since launching at UCalgary in 2013, 3MT has become a significant event on campus, encouraging graduate students to distill their research to its core message and articulate its impact far beyond the academic sphere.

From preliminary heats to the finals spotlight

Following preliminary heats held throughout March, the competition culminated in the 2026 3MT Finals on April 16, welcoming more than 100 attendees from across campus and the Calgary community. Participants were supported throughout the process by a series of preparation workshops and feedback sessions. These were led by Felicia Glatz, BA'14, MEd'21, from FGS, along with Julia Guy and Merran Carr-Wiggin from Libraries and Cultural Resources, and focused on refining narratives and engaging non-specialist audiences.

The finals were co-hosted by graduate students Parker Volk, winner of the 2025 UCalgary and National 3MT competitions, and Torri Heiser, BSc'23, a 2025 3MT finalist. Their experience as past competitors brought insight and encouragement to the evening, helping guide presenters through the final stage.

Presentations were evaluated by an expert panel of judges including Scott Crockatt, BComm'08, BA'08, associate vice-president (communications) at UCalgary; Tracy Johnson, BComm'13, chief executive officer of the Calgary Public Library Foundation; and Lucas McCarthy, BComm'12, founder and chief executive officer of Showpass. The panel brought a diverse range of expertise spanning communications, non-profit leadership, technology and community engagement.

The 2026 event was made even more meaningful through the generosity of Karen Ganzlin, BA'82, a proud UCalgary alum and dedicated volunteer, whose philanthropy helped enhance the prize awards and provide valuable support for students as they continue their academic journeys.

2026 UCalgary Three Minute Thesis winners

Here is a closer look at this year’s winners:

• First place: Paula Brandt, BSc'22, a PhD student in the Cumming School of Medicine’s (CSM) Medical Sciences Graduate Program, supervised by Dr. Peter Stys, MD, earned first place for her presentation, "Islet Amyloid Polypeptide: The Biological Velcro Creating Sticky Situations in Type 2 Diabetes," which examined how a misfolded protein linked to type 2 diabetes may contribute to the formation of abnormal and dangerous blood clots.
• Second place: Dr. Jessica Ruffolo, PhD'22, a PhD student in CSM’s Neuroscience Graduate Program, supervised by Dr. Stephanie Borgland, PhD, placed second for her talk, "When Enough is Never Enough: How the Brain Fuels Overeating," in which she explored how high-caloric diets alter brain circuits involved in decision making, challenging oversimplified narratives around eating behaviour and obesity.
• Third place and People’s Choice: Selena Fu, BSc'20, MSc'22, a PhD student in the Faculty of Arts Psychology Graduate Program, supervised by Dr. Richard Dyck, PhD, received both third place and the People’s Choice award for "Zinc‑ing Differently About Psychedelic‑Induced Reopening of the Social Reward Learning Critical Period," which investigated how zinc signalling in the brain may play a role in reopening critical periods of plasticity linked to social learning. 

As the first-place winner, Brandt will represent UCalgary at the Western Regional Three Minute Thesis Competition in Regina on May 4.

More than a competition, a moment of growth

While the results recognize the evening’s top performers, the experience is ultimately about growth, resilience and learning to connect complex ideas with broader audiences.

Ruffolo described the moment as both rewarding and deeply personal. 

“I was honestly a bit surprised, but mostly grateful," Ruffalo said. "3MT is such a competitive space, and everyone brings something unique to the stage. What made it especially meaningful for me is that last year I competed as well and placed third in my heat, which didn’t qualify me for finals. So, to come back this year and place second in the finals felt like a huge personal accomplishment."

For Fu, stepping onto the stage required a different kind of courage and became an opportunity to push beyond her comfort zone: “I am a very shy and introverted person, I am terrified of public speaking, and I have an intense fear of being perceived, so I wanted to do something that would challenge myself!”  

Brandt reflected on the moment her work resonated with the room. 

“What stood out to me most was the realization that my research had connected with the audience and judges," she said. "Knowing I was able to make an impact, especially on such an influential group of people, was a really meaningful moment for me.”

Together, their experiences highlight what 3MT is designed to do: push participants to move beyond technical expertise and communicate with clarity, purpose and impact.

A stage that opens doors beyond campus

The 3MT competition continues to provide a powerful platform for graduate students to strengthen their research communication skills. Through structured preparation, expert feedback and live presentation, participants gain experience that supports future success in conferences, interdisciplinary collaboration and public engagement.

The 2026 finalists demonstrated that, when research is communicated with clarity and intention, even the most complex ideas can resonate in just three minutes. 

Cheer on Paula Brandt and follow her journey at the Western Regional 3MT Finals. Stay tuned to grad.ucalgary.ca and the Faculty of Graduate Studies’ Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for updates and event coverage.