Figuring out how to help 6.5 million Americans who suffer from chronic wounds each year is a problem Kelly Michie has researched for years. But, recently she’s faced another challenge — squeezing all of that research into a three-minute presentation for the 2017 Georgia Tech Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition.   

“The most difficult part of presenting in the 3MT event is explaining the scientific techniques simply and concisely,” said Michie, who is earning a Ph.D. in Biology. “In my research, I attempt to identify the genes that allow certain bacteria to infect chronic wounds. But, using jargon such as ‘Tn-Seq’ or the scientific name for the bacteria would be outside the expertise of my audience.”

The campus community is invited to attend the final round of this year’s competition, which will be held on Monday, Nov. 13, from 5-8 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom. Winners will be announced during a reception that will immediately follow the last presentation. 

The 3MT competition, which started at the University of Queensland in Australia and has spread to campuses around the world, is an event that challenges graduate students to explain their research in three minutes in a way that someone with no knowledge of the subject would understand. Two years ago, Georgia Tech held its first 3MT competition, which was only open to Ph.D. students. But, this year, master’s students are also participating.  

“With my research, I’m hoping to locate the genes that cause people to develop chronic wounds,” Michie said. “That will allow us to identify and treat individuals with those genes and save lives. I’m hoping to use the 3MT competition as an experience to better explain my findings to the people who would use them.”

The Ph.D. finalists, who were selected during preliminary rounds held in October, will compete for three prizes ranging from $2,000 to $1,000. The master’s student finalists will compete for prizes ranging from $1,000 to $500. Both groups will also compete for a $500 People’s Choice award.

The Ph.D. finalists for the 2017 3MT include the following students:

• Rajatha Bhat, Electrical and Computer Engineering
  Resilience of Electrical Networks Against Hurricanes
• Rebecca Han, Chemical and Bimolecular Engineering
  Computational Prediction of Energy Materials
• Jayraj Joshi, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
  Natural Gas Purification Using Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs)
• Arkadeep Kumar, Mechanical Engineering
  Novel Abrasives for Cheaper Solar Cells
• Kelly Michie, Biology
  Gotta Screen ‘Em All: Discovering Bacterial Genes Required for Wound Infection
• Krysten Minnici, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
  Battery Electrode Materials: Energizing the Future
• Alexis Noel, Mechanical Engineering
  Grip, Grab, and Groom: Adhesion of Soft Biomaterials
• Linda Nhon, Chemistry and Biochemistry
  Artificial Photosynthesis: From Sunlight to Fuel
• Sushruta Surappa, Mechanical Engineering
  Ultrasound Based Wireless Power
• Jingting Yao, Electrical and Computer Engineering
  Enhanced Diagnostic Cardiac Imaging with Lower Risks

The master’s student finalists include the following students:

• Richard Li, Interactive Computing
  EarBit: Using Wearable Sensors to Detect Eating Episodes in Unconstrained Environments
• Vedant Metha, Nuclear Engineering
  Boosting the Role of Nuclear Technology
• HoRyun Song, Human Computer Interaction
  Conversation Between: Interactive Narrative for Molecular Scientists and Reproductive Justice Groups

For more information, visit grad.gatech.edu/3MT.