Robertson Wins UCO 2025 Three Minute Thesis Research Competition
April 4, 2025
The University of Central Oklahoma's Jackson College of Graduate Studies (JCGS) recently hosted its eighth annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) research competition. Tatum Robertson, a wellness management-exercise science graduate student from Cashion, Oklahoma, won first place and a $1,000 prize for their 3MT presentation titled "Assessment of Physiological Aspects of Division II Collegiate Football Players."
During the 3MT competition, participants presented their thesis or capstone research to a panel of judges in three minutes or less using only one presentation slide and everyday language.
Elizabeth Ellis, an applied math and science major from Tulsa, Oklahoma, received second place and a $500 prize for their presentation titled "Cat Scratch Disease: Mathematical Models of B. Henselae." Ellis also won this year's People's Choice Award and a $250 prize.
Mackenzie Cook, a graduate music student from Duncan, Oklahoma, and Rathnababu Gorremucchu, a nutrition and food science graduate student from Hyderabad, Telangana, India, tied for third place, both receiving a $250 prize. Cook's presentation was titled "Vocal Habits in Contemporary Christian Music: Observing Participatory Performance Practices," and Gorremucchu's presentation was titled "To Optimize the Enzymatic Process for the Formulation of Plant-Based Milk Alternatives from Mung Beans."
"We are so proud of the 15 students who participated in this event," said Sarah Gordon, Ph.D., dean of Central's JCGS.
"Every presentation was insightful, informative and innovative, and everyone did a fantastic job representing their field of study and UCO. JCGS also extends our gratitude to Bob Weiss for his continued sponsorship of the event."
Weiss, Edmond businessman and owner of Othello's and Around the Corner restaurants, sponsored the event.
The 3MT contest was first held at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. It prepares students to present their research and its relevance to a non-specialist audience clearly and concisely, whether in an interview, public event or advocacy setting.
UCO's Jackson College of Graduate Studies collaborates with all five UCO academic colleges and the Forensic Science Institute, offering 40 graduate degree programs and more than 70 major areas of study.
For more information about the Jackson College of Graduate Studies, visit www.uco.edu/graduate.
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Cutline: The University of Central Oklahoma's Jackson College of Graduate Studies (JCGS) hosted its eighth annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) research competition. Tatum Robertson, a wellness management - exercise science graduate student from Cashion, Oklahoma, won first place and a $1,000 prize for her presentation titled "Assessment of Physiological Aspects of Division II Collegiate Football Players." Pictured, left to right, Jerel Cowan, Ph.D., JCGS associate dean, and Robertson.
