2026 Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences' Three Minute Competition Winners
Overall 2026 Dietrich School 3MT Winner: Hannah Assour (Biological Sciences) -How Earth’s Smallest Flowering Plant Can Help Answer One of Evolution’s Biggest Questions
2026 Runner up: Jermon Drake (Psychology) - Not All Brains Age the Same
2026 Finalist: Tania Lucia Ramirez Farias (Sociology) - Resistance Within? How Public Servants Contribute to Countering Environmental Rollbacks
2026 Finalist: Akshara Vincent (Mathematics) - Monsters in Math
A special thank you to our judges: Marta Lewicka (Math), Pernille Roege (History), Tyler Bickford (English), Kamesha Spates (Africana Studies), Jennifer Laaser (Chemistry) and Carl Wang-Erickson (Math).
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We are excited to announce the 2026 Dietrich School Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, which will take place on Friday, March 20, 2026, from 10 am to 12 pm the William Pitt Union. The University-wide 3MT competition is Monday, April 6, 2026.
As we did in previous years, we are requesting that departments run their own 3MT competitions and submit the names of their top presenters for the school-wide competition. Departments are free to structure their own internal competitions as they see fit if the format of presentations follows the 3MT rules.
To nominate a student, please fill out the 3MT Nomination Survey Form. A 1 slide PowerPoint presentation must be uploaded within the nomination form.
3MT 2026: March 20, 2026
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
William Pitt Union, 548
The 3MT gives students valuable practice in explaining research to a non-specialist audience. Dietrich School PhD students have three minutes to present a compelling oration on their dissertation and its significance. Competitors will be judged on comprehension, content, engagement, and communication. Participants must be admitted to candidacy to be eligible.
Students entering 3MT are encouraged to watch the following video recording: “Basics of Effective Communication to a General Audience” from Dr. John Radzilowicz, University Center for Teaching and Learning. This resource provides crucial tips on how to develop a winning 3MT presentation. Note that students must log in with Pitt credentials to view the recording. Consult 3MT’s drafting guidelines and watch examples from past winners on 3MT’s Competitor Guide.
Key information:
• Eligible participants: Doctoral students who have passed their candidacy examination.
• Nomination procedure: Students are nominated by Faculty within programs/departments.
• Resources: Judging criteria and competition rules
• Deadline for departmental nominations: March 6, 2026
• Number of nominations permitted per department: Three students maximum per department.
• Date of Dietrich School competition: March 20, 2026, 10 am – 12 pm
• Location of Dietrich School competition: William Pitt Union, 548
• Prizes: Finalists and Runners up ($250); Overall School Prize: ($1,000)
2023 Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences' Three Minute Competition Winners
2024 Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences' Three Minute Competition Winners
2025 Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences' Three Minute Competition Winners