About the Event

The 3MT® competition provides a unique opportunity to share your work with the broader community in a fun and exciting format. The 3MT® competition allows graduate students to present their research in just 3 minutes with the aid of a single slide.

Awards are as follows:

• First Place: $500 cash prize
• Second Place: $250 cash prize
• Third Place: $100 cash prize
• People's Choice: Swag bag

Students completing graduate level projects, dissertations, and theses are eligible to participate in the competition.

Winter 2026 Competition

When: Tuesday, March 31st, 2026 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Submission Form: https://www.gvsu.edu/gs/cms-form-edit.htm?formId=C3A2F5C8-E7E7-1163-321507F1DAC83F2D 

Submissions Due: March 9th, 2026, 9:00 a.m.

Afua Asantewaa Asante - Cybersecurity

Afua Asantewaa Asante is a Cybersecurity grad student at GVSU and President of the Graduate Student Association whose research centers on building trustworthy, explainable intrusion detection systems using Bayesian AI layered on top of machine learning models. She is driven by the goal of creating adaptive, uncertainty-aware cyber defenses that keep humans informed and in control, particularly in high-stakes fields like healthcare and enterprise security. With an eye toward doctoral studies, Afua is focused on turning cutting-edge cybersecurity research into practical, real-world impact.

Jaclyn Driesenga - Public Health

Jaclyn is a second-year MPH student at GVSU specializing in epidemiology, with a particular passion for intellectual and developmental disability research and a long-term goal of becoming a registered nurse who advocates for medically underserved communities. A GVSU undergrad alumna with honors, she brings hands-on experience as a Nursing Technician at the Meijer Heart Center and has been deeply involved in campus life, from executive board roles to coaching varsity football. Beyond her academics and career, Jaclyn is a curious, community-driven person who volunteers, travels, and fills her free time with hiking, cooking, and discovering new coffee shops.

Camila Duarte - Biomedical Sciences

Camila Duarte is a biomedical science grad student with roots in Bogotá, Colombia and research experience spanning bioengineering and cellular metabolism, including work in Madrid, Spain. Her focus on endocrinology and metabolism drives her to understand how nutrition influences hormonal and metabolic function, all in service of connecting foundational science to real improvements in human health.

Grace Forthaus - Biology

Grace Forthaus is a Biology master's student at GVSU working with Dr. Charlyn Partridge to investigate the genetic diversity of the hemlock woolly adelgid, an invasive forest pest. They bring a wealth of hands-on field experience to their research, having spent years after their CMU undergrad working in invasive species management, ecological restoration, and statewide surveys for rare and threatened species including turtles, snakes, and butterflies.

Malek Garrach - Applied Computer Science

Malek Garrach is an engineer and Applied Computer Science grad student at GVSU whose research sits at the intersection of AI and agriculture. He works on lightweight deep learning models and synthetic data generation, deploying them on IoT devices to bring real-time, precision agriculture solutions to resource-limited settings.

Mortadha Ghnimi - Artificial Intelligence

Mortadha is an AI grad student at GVSU working with Dr. Rafiq on satellite imagery analysis, applying machine learning to extract insights from large-scale geospatial data. His research transforms complex satellite data into actionable knowledge for real-world uses like environmental monitoring and smart systems, all driven by a desire to bring advanced AI research closer to practical, meaningful impact.

Lindsay Gould - Physical Therapy

Lindsay is a third-year DPT student from Holland, MI, who earned her undergraduate degrees in Exercise Science and Psychology from Hope College. Alongside classmates Claire Cronin and Keeli Kornack-Kotarba and Assistant Professor Andy Wicks, she is researching workplace injuries among physical therapists and assistants to better understand how those injuries affect both personal and professional well-being.

Bess Hudson - Biology

Bess Hudson is an M.S. Biology student at GVSU whose background uniquely blends natural resources management with a fine arts degree from Columbus College of Art and Design. She brings hands-on soil science expertise to both her research and her role as an assistant coach for regional soil judging competitions, where she loves mentoring emerging scientists. Outside of academia, she keeps busy as a mother, artisan, and hobby farmer.

Erin Jagger - Engineering

Erin Jagger is a mechanical engineering grad student at GVSU whose love for fluid mechanics led her to research how turbulence affects jet mixing in a crossflow. Alongside Dr. Jenna Stolzman, she studies crosswind turbulence effects with the aim of building better predictive models for flaring applications.

Islem Kammoun - Cybersecurity

Islem Kammoun is a Cybersecurity master's student whose research sits at the crossroads of immersive technology and educational game design, using Virtual Reality to teach children about cybersecurity awareness and responsible AI use. Her work explores how interactive, experiential learning can help young users build the critical thinking skills they need to navigate AI systems confidently.

Swarna Bharathi Kathi - Health Informatics and Bioinformatics

Swarna is a Health and Bioinformatics grad student who brings a unique dental background to her work at the intersection of data analytics and AI in healthcare. Her research spans hemophilia risk prediction modeling and computational analysis of protein evolution, all aimed at turning complex biomedical data into practical insights that drive better clinical decisions and patient outcomes.

Christopher Khajira - Applied Computer Science

Christopher Khajira is an Applied Computer Science grad student at GVSU with a background in Electronics and Computer Engineering, whose research spans a fascinating range of intersections between computer science, business, and psychology. From building ESG data pipelines to studying human decision-making and designing AI-driven applications, his work consistently bridges technical depth with real-world relevance. Outside of research, he is also an award-winning essay writer, rounding out a profile that is as interdisciplinary as it is impressive.

Margaret Kihumba - Cybersecurity

Maggie Kihumba is a Cybersecurity master's student whose research focuses on using context-aware, explainable AI to help organizations better prioritize security risks, especially within SaaS environments. She is driven by a desire to close the gap between cutting-edge research and practical cybersecurity solutions, and plans to carry that mission forward into her career after graduation.

Rashmeer Mangat - Physical Therapy

Rashmeer Mangat is a Grand Rapids native and third-year DPT student at GVSU whose research focuses on diversity in low-fidelity simulations to foster more inclusive learning experiences in healthcare education. Outside the classroom, she brings the same spirit of community and belonging to her love of Bhangra dancing, harmonium playing, and outdoor sports, all grounded in a Sikh faith that inspires her to serve others.

Bibi Maria - Criminal Justice

Bibi Maria is an international student from Bangladesh and Master of Criminal Justice candidate at GVSU, where she works as a graduate assistant researching AI in criminal justice, virtual reality in court systems, and the intersection of intimate partner violence and high-risk behaviors like substance use and mental health. She brings a rich legal background to her work, having earned her Bachelor of Laws from Comilla University and practiced as an apprentice lawyer advocating for underserved communities in Bangladesh. A presenter at international conferences, Maria is committed to advancing equitable, evidence-based practices in the justice system from a truly global perspective.

Terry Natasha Mueni - Criminal Justice

Terry Natasha is an international student from Kenya pursuing her Master of Science in Criminal Justice. She earned her bachelor’s degree in criminology and criminal justice in 2023 in Kenya. Natasha’s research is a descriptive study of intimate partner violence among male youths, bringing attention to an area that is often overlooked and underrepresented in research. Beyond research, Natasha enjoys spending time in nature and exploring different kinds of recipes.

Abigail Robbins - Engineering

Abigail is in the combined Bachelor's/Master's program for biomedical engineering. Her research involves developing medical devices, including the design, prototyping, and testing of devices. Her work is geared towards children with mental and physical disabilities, as well as individuals with anxiety disorders. When she graduates, Abigail plans to pursue a career in medical device design. In her free time, Abigail enjoys cooking, boating, and spending time with her friends and family. 

Leya Shekanena - Higher Education

Leya Shekanena is a graduate student in the Adult Higher Education program at Grand Valley State University. She is an avid reader, writer, and teacher of English.

Nurudeen Showole - Health Informatics and Bioinformatics

Nurudeen Showole is a physician trained in Nigeria and a research scientist with academic interests at the intersection of clinical medicine, health informatics, and bioinformatics. Nurudeen is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Health Informatics and Bioinformatics, with a focus on leveraging computational methods, data science, and translational research to enhance clinical decision-making, improve patient outcomes, and strengthen healthcare systems.

Mohamed Iheb Soltana - Health Informatics and Bioinformatics

Mohamed Iheb Soltana is a graduate student in Health Informatics and Bioinformatics at GVSU, where he also works as a Graduate Assistant under Dr. Suhila Sawesi. With a strong foundation in C++ and C#, he channels his software engineering skills into building immersive virtual reality experiences at the intersection of technology and healthcare.

Previous years' GVSU 3-Minute Thesis Competition Highlights.