News and Information
Biomedical Sciences Graduate Student Wins 3-Minute Thesis Competition
February 22, 2022
Marlee Busalacchi, a biomedical sciences graduate student, won 1st Place in the 2022 GVSU 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) competition on February 17.
Eight graduate students from a variety of disciplines competed in this year's 3MT Competition. Students had just three minutes to present their research to a panel of faculty judges with only one slide as a visual aid. The competition was held in the Charles W. Loosemore Auditorium in the DeVos Center of the Pew Grand Rapids Campus.
Busalacchi won the competition with her research "Impacts of Microbial Experience on Monocyte and Macrophage Polarization in B16 Melanoma." The graduate student won $500 and will represent Grand Valley at the Midwest Association of Graduate Schools 3MT® competition in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in April of 2022.
Ellen Foley, a biology and Annis Water Resources Institute graduate student, won second place and $250 with her research "Rubbing Salt in the Wound: Road Deicer Impacts on Phosphorus in an Urban Lake."
Adam Gizowski, who is also a biomedical sciences graduate student, won third place and $100 with his research "The Effects of Nonylphenol on Male Crayfish Aggression in Acute and Chronic Exposures."
The audience voted for the People's Choice Award which resulted in a tie between Ellen Foley and biology graduate student, Sarah Ansbro, with her research "Berry Exciting: Changing Berry Quantity and Quality on Alaska’s North Slope."
Faculty judges included Dr. Andrew Booth, College of Health Professions; Dr. Brian Hatzel, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; Dr. Tonisha Jones, College of Education and Community Innovation; Dr. Libby MacQuillan, College of Health Professions; Dr. Cray Mulder, College of Education and Community Innovation; Dr. Wendy Reffeor, Padnos College of Engineering and Computing; Dr. Gregory Warsen, College of Education and Community Innovation; and Dr. Janet Winter, Kirkhof College of Nursing.
For photos and more information on the event, please visit the Graduate School's GVSU 3MT page.