Laney Graduate School’s 3MT and Master’s Showcase
The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®️) and Master's Showcase are opportunities for LGS PhD candidates and master's students to gain experience in communicating the significance of their research to a non-specialist audience in 3 minutes or less.
Preliminary Round: All eligible applicants will compete in the in-person preliminary round the week of February 10-13, 2026. In this round, students will be assigned a 3-minute timeslot in which to present their thesis to the judges.
Finals Round: Finalists will be selected from the preliminary round presentations and will compete in the in-person 3MT & Master's Showcase finals live event on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. The finals event is a fun celebration of student research that is open to all.
Application deadline: 12 p.m., January 30, 2026
Why participate in 3MT or the Master's Showcase?
Benefits include the opportunity to:
share your work and its impact with a wider audience
enhance your ability to communicate research to a non-specialist audience - in the 3MT competition, in an elevator talk, or at a family picnic
refine your public speaking and presentation skills
expand your professional network
gain media exposure - finalist videos are posted to Laney's YouTube Channel and winners are highlighted in Laney publications
be a part of a growing professional community
3MT at Emory
The competition is judged by a panel comprised of a diverse group of professionals (academic and non-academic) with a wide range of professional expertise.
2026 3MT Timeline
| Wednesday, December 3 | Info Session - Hybrid format |
| Friday, January 30 | Applications due |
| Week of February 2 | Public Speaking Workshop |
| February 10-13 | Preliminary Competitors |
| Tuesday, March 17 | 3MT Dress Rehersal |
| Wednesday, March 18 | 3MT and Master's Finals at The Hatchery |
How It Works
Presentation Rules
- A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted (no slide transitions, animations or 'movement' of any description, the slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration).
- No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.
- No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
- Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum and competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified.
- Presentations are to be spoken word (eg. no poems, raps or songs).
- Presentations are to commence from the stage.
- Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through movement or speech.
- The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.
Next-generation Stem Cell Therapy via Multifunctional Nanosensors
2024 1st Place Winning Presentation - Next-generation Stem Cell Therapy via Multifunctional Nanosensors