ME Graduate Students Impress at 3MT Competition
Mechanical Engineering hosted its sixth annual 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) competition on Thursday, September 25, 2025. This event challenges students to articulate their complex research projects in a compelling and accessible way, all within a tight, three-minute window.
First and Second Place winners were determined by judges’ combined scores in four categories: comprehension, content, engagement, and communication. The audience was asked to submit their favorites for the People’ Choice award.
First Place: Ebuka Ezugwu
Ebuka captivated the judges with his presentation, “Stronger Pipes, Cleaner Water: A Branching Solution.” His research delves into the aging process of BPE pipes as a viable alternative to traditional lead pipes, focusing on strategies to enhance their resistance to corrosion over time. Ebuka will now advance to represent the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the college-level 3MT competition on October 16th.
Second Place: Michaela Andrews
Michaela earned second place for her innovative project, “Shape Memory Polymer Yarns Make Compression Therapy Move.” Her work explores the potential of incorporating specialized polymer yarns into fabrics, such as compression socks. This could significantly improve the ease of putting on articles of clothing for individuals with limited mobility.
People's Choice: Vamsy Kota
Vamsy took home the People’s Choice award for his research titled “Tracking Behavior; Unlocking the Brain.” Vamsy’s project focuses on mapping the intricate behaviors of mice against their brain activity, with the ultimate goal of better predicting how specific behaviors align with brain function.
Congratulations to Ebuka, Michaela, Vamsy, and all nine contestants for their exceptional presentations. Events like the 3MT highlight the importance of effective scientific communication and the impact of our graduate students' research in real-world applications. We look forward to cheering on Ebuka as he continues his journey in the 3MT competition!