CCBS student wins UK Three Minute Thesis competition
Sep 2018: Huge congratulations to Owen Gwydion James on winning the UK Three Minute Thesis competition.
Owen claimed the prize at the UK final for explaining his work to better understand multiple sclerosis (MS).
The contest challenges PhD students to deliver a compelling presentation on their research topic to a non-specialist audience in just three minutes.
Stem cell models of MS
Owen explained how brain cells are wrapped in an insulating layer called myelin, and how this can go awry in people with MS. As a PhD student in Professor Siddharthan Chandran's lab, his research focuses on how human stem cells can be used to help find new therapeutics for this disease.
Originally from Cardiff, and a Welsh-speaker, Owen has just started the fourth year of his PhD in the Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences. He is now beginning to write up his thesis and search for post-doctoral opportunities studying neuronal-glial interactions.
Thesis challenge
The 3-Minute Thesis competition was first developed by the University of Queensland in 2008, but quickly spread across the world.
Owen was one of six finalists in the UK competition, selected from representatives from more than 60 universities. His presentation in Birmingham captured the imagination of the judges, who awarded him the top prize of £3000 to spend on public engagement.
University of Edinburgh final
Watch Owen giving his presentation at the University of Edinburgh final that was held in June 2018.
Related links
Neurodegenerative conditions research at the Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences
Vitae Three Minute Thesis competition