Three Minute Thesis Competition
The Three Minute Thesis Competition gives you three minutes to explain your thesis. You are only allowed one single PowerPoint slide as a visual aid.
The ultimate "elevator pitch", the Three Minute Thesis Competition is run in universities worldwide. In 2010, The University of Auckland took part in the inaugural Trans-Tasman competition held at the University of Queensland. In 2011 the Trans-Tasman finals will be hosted by the University of Western Australia in Perth.
Four heats were held on 26 and 27 July 2011 and the top performers of these progressed to the final, held on 29 July 2011. All competitors should be commended on their efforts in making the Three Minute Thesis 2011 competition a success.
Congratulations to this year’s winners.
First Prize Winner
Ankita Umapathy
Faculty of Science
"Antioxidant strategies to prevent eye disease: is the lens a glutathione reservoir?"
Watch Ankita Umapathy's presentation on YouTube
Second Prize Winner
Peng Du
Faculty of Engineering
"The Cell Network That Powers Gut Contractions"
Watch Peng Du's presentation on YouTube
Third Prize Winner
Melanie Drake
Faculty of Education
"Post-apartheid promises?"
Watch Melanie Drake's presentation on YouTube
People’s Choice Prize
The People’s Choice winner was chosen by the audience via a text message poll at the final competition heat.
Winner: Ankita Umapathy
Faculty of Science
"Antioxidant strategies to prevent eye disease: is the lens a glutathione reservoir?"
Watch Ankita Umapathy's presentation on YouTube
Other finalists
Jason Busby
Faculty of Science
"An Insecticidal Toxin Complex from a New Zealand Bacterium"
Watch Jason Busby's presentation on YouTube
Mandira Chakraborty
Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences
"Story of oxygen in critical illness — the art of living"
Watch Mandira Chakraborty's presentation on YouTube
Janet McAllister
Faculty of Arts
"How well-meaning social scientists are helping to ruin the world: an analysis of the 'mobilities' discourse"
Watch Janet McAllister's presentation on YouTube
Leslie Sanderson
Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences
"Calling for backup: deciphering emergency granulopoiesis"
Watch Leslie Sanderson's presentation on YouTube
Marek Tesar
Faculty of Education
"The Ethics of Truth — The Story of Archival Research"
Watch Marek Tesar's presentation on YouTube
David S. Wong
Faculty of Engineering
"From Miami CSI to Smelting CSI: Investigating the Causes of Dust in Aluminium Smelters"
Watch David S. Wong's presentation on YouTube
We would like to thank the following judges who gave their time and expertise to this year’s final heat.
Associate Professor Caroline Daley
Dean of Graduate Studies
The University of Auckland
Nikki Kaye
MP for Auckland Central
National Party
Professor Brad Jackson
Fletcher Building Education Trust Chair in Leadership
The University of Auckland
Ankita Umapathy, the First Prize Winner of the Three Minute Thesis Competition.
As winner of The University of Auckland Three Minute Thesis, Ankita Umapathy will compete in the Trans-Tasman competition on 29 September 2011 at the University of Western Australia in Perth.
Find out more
- Email 3mt@auckland.ac.nz
- View the videos on YouTube
