Melissa Walsh advances in three-minute thesis competition
November 19, 2024 — BME PhD candidate Melissa Walsh was awarded second place at the 2024 College of Science and Engineering (CSE) Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. Walsh advanced to the University-wide competition held Friday, November 15.
The 3MT competition was developed to help graduate students communicate their research findings more effectively to a non-scientific audience. Students are given three minutes and a single presentation slide to explain their thesis research without the use of props or industry jargon.
Melissa’s thesis research presentation was titled “Engineering TriKEs Against Cancer.” During her presentation, Melissa described how her research focuses on Trispecific Killer Engagers (TriKEs), an experimental therapy that directs patient immune cells to recognize and kill cancer cells.
Melissa’s project uses an alternative method to improve the effectiveness and manufacture of TriKE cells. She is advised by Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science Professor Ben Hackel.
