April 7, 2026

2026 Three Minute Thesis (3MT) and Master’s Showcase Recap

Congratulations to the 2026 Three Minute Thesis (3MT) and Master’s Showcase participants. These scholars shared their research before a live audience for the opportunity to represent Emory in the 2027 regional 3MT competition.

Grace Neilsen, a fifth-year PhD candidate in Biochemistry, Cell & Developmental Biology, won first place in the 3MT competition for her presentation, titled “Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Make Me a Drug,” which explores how viruses mutate to evade treatment and demonstrates how structural biology can be used to design more resilient antiviral drugs.

Yingchuan Sun, a master’s student in Computer Science, won first place in the Master’s Showcase for research titled “Thinner Slices, Better ICU Decisions,” which explores the use of reinforcement learning to improve healthcare decision-making.

Also recognized were Marlaina Horewitz, a third-year PhD candidate in Chemistry and 2026 3MT runner-up, whose presentation, “When Cells Feel the Heat: Studying Actin Mechanical Responses that Drive Movement,” examines force-sensitive protein dynamics that drive cellular movement; and Lingxiao Chen, a PhD candidate in Sociology and 2026 3MT People’s Choice Award winner, whose presentation, “Performing the Nation: Celebrity Politics and Public Opinion under Authoritarianism,” explores nationalism, political culture and public opinion formation.

“The Three Minute Thesis competition highlights one of the most essential skills for graduate students — the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and confidently,” said Katy Leonard, assistant dean for professional development and career planning. “It challenges students to think deeply about their research and share its relevance in ways that connect with broader audiences.”

🚨LAST CHANCE! 🚨 Global Pre-departure Orientation

Join the Global Pre-Departure Orientation on Safety and Security workshop, hosted by Master’s of Development Practice (MDP) and Global Safety and Security, as they prepare students for safe international experiences.

This virtual session will cover topics such as health and safety, risk awareness, emergency protocols, cultural considerations, and university resources to help participants feel confident, prepared, and well-equipped to travel abroad.

Questions? Contact mastdev@emory.edu

Graduate school can be both exciting and demanding, and supporting your wellbeing is an important part of your success as a student. Wellbeing is an ongoing practice of learning, growing, and caring for yourself in ways that work for you. Wherever you are in your journey, you’re encouraged to show up with curiosity, extend kindness to yourself, and discover what supports your mental and physical health.

Visit the Center for Student Wellbeing website to explore eight key dimensions of wellbeing; emotional, physical, environmental, financial, intellectual, professional, relational, and spiritual and find tools and resources designed to support you every step of the way.

Science Communication Career Panel

Join Emory's Association for Women in Science for a career panel in science communication. Panelists will join virtually, but there are in-person and virtual options.

Come out and enjoy pizza while learning about carving careers in science communication after PhD!

Time: 12-1:30 PM

Date: Tuesday, April 14

Location: Emory Student Center, Rm N302

RSVP here

LGS Skills Training Lunch & Learn on Science Communication to Non-Expert Audiences

Join biology faculty Leila Rieder and Kate O'Toole and PhD students Nuri Smith and Sisi Falcone as they focus on:

✅ Communicating scientific work to non-expert audiences

✅ Developing the ability to distill research into three clear sentences

✅ Strategies for simplifying complex ideas

Time: 12 - 1:30 p.m.

Date: Wednesday, April 15

Location: CST Room 360 & Zoom

👉Register here

Questions? Contact Shannon Marsh, MS, at shannon.myers.marsh@emory.edu

You're Invited! Final Spring Office Hour with Dean Kimberly Jacob Arriola

LGS Dean Kimberly Jacob Arriola is offering an opportunity for all LGS students to connect directly one-on-one during her final office hour of the spring semester.

Time: 11:30 a.m.
Date: Wednesday, Apr. 22
Location: North Decatur Building, Suite 200

Individual appointments will be first come, first serve with sign-in upon arrival. Light refreshments will be offered while you wait.

Interviewing Skills: The STAR Technique & More

Do you have an interview coming up? Are there other situations in which you need to describe your academic or professional experiences clearly and effectively?

This 2-hour, hands-on workshop offers strategies for (multilingual) graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to showcase their skills and achievements clearly, concisely, and confidently. Participants will learn to mine their past for content that can be shaped into authentic, real-life stories that highlight their knowledge and competencies.

Other topics include appropriate language use and confident delivery using voice and body.

The workshop will be offered twice.

Wednesday, April 8, 3-5 p.m. | Register here
Tuesday, April 14, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Register here

Interested? Contact ELSP faculty, Grace Song, at gsong2@emory.edu

Fall 2027 International Student Liaison for 1st and 2nd Year International Students!

Apply now to be a Fall 2026 LGS International Student Liaison. Be a part of welcoming and supporting incoming international graduate students this Fall. Liaisons will assist director, ELSP and global engagement, Heather Boldt, in planning, coordinating, and executing the August 2026 information session for incoming Laney Graduate School international students.

Application deadline: Midnight, Monday, April 13

👉 Learn more here

Academic Success Resources

Are you looking for some help related to procrastination, imposter syndrome, test anxiety, perfectionism, or attention and concentration challenges? Check out the resources available on CAPS website.

In addition, the LGS Student Affairs Team is here to support every phase of your educational journey, so reach out any time! They can connect you to resources, answer questions you might have, or discuss concerns.

Explore these topics and other student affairs-related topics by contacting an LGS Student Affairs team member:

Jennifer M. Cason, EdD, assistant dean of student affairs and deputy Title IX coordinator

Emily Neutens, EdD, MPA, associate director of student affairs

Shannon Marsh, MS, student affairs program coordinator