Student bids for global presentation win

The winner of an Edinburgh communications contest is taking part in the international finals of the competition.

Chen Zhao, from the School of Clinical Sciences, will represent the University in the Universitas 21 final of the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) contest.

Contestants in the international programme of events must deliver a three-minute presentation.

Their talk should communicate the significance of their postgraduate studies, in non-specialist language.

Chen beat other contestants from across the University in June with her presentation, entitled 'Astrocyte: the Star of Motor Neuron Disease’.

Global finals

3MT competitions, originally devised by the University of Queensland, are now held in more than 200 universities across more than 18 countries worldwide.

The virtual final, featuring students from across the world, is carried out via filmed presentations.

It is judged by an international panel of industry and academic professionals.

There are two prizes available. The winner will receive a bursary of US$2500 to visit a Universitas 21 university of their choice to benefit their research or career development.

There is also a people’s choice prize of US$300, decided by a public vote.

Results are announced on 3 November.