2014-2015
News Release
REF NO.: 154
SUBJECT: Memorial University doctoral student wins Eastern Regional 3MT Competition
DATE: May 13, 2015
A PhD student in Memorial University’s Faculty of Medicine has won first place in the Eastern Regional Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition.
Victoria Linehan’s doctoral work is in the area of neuroscience.
“I was honoured to be selected as the winner of the Eastern Regional 3MT Thesis Competition,” said Ms. Linehan. “It was a great experience, but the best part was getting to know my fellow presenters and learning about their work.”
The Eastern Regional 3MT Competition was hosted by Concordia University in Montreal, Que., on Thursday, May 7. Eight graduate students from various universities across Eastern Canada battled for the title.
“It was with pleasure that Concordia University hosted this important showcase of dynamic and diverse graduate research,” said Dr. Paula Wood-Adams, dean of graduate studies at Concordia and master of ceremonies of the event. “The Three Minute Thesis Competition is a unique opportunity for master’s and doctoral students to hone their presentation skills and prepare for the types of audiences they will face as they move forward in their careers and their research. I wish to congratulate all the participants who earned a spot in the competitive Eastern Canada regional final, and in particular Victoria Linehan who impressed our judges and took home the competition’s top prize.”
Ms. Linehan’s thesis, titled Diet Induced Plasticity of the Lateral Hypothalamus, attempts to uncover new treatment targets for weight loss. Her research aims to discover changes that occur in the brain in response to a high-fat diet, which may contribute to or maintain weight gain.
“More than half of the Canadian population is either overweight or obese, with a significant percentage of those affected suffering from weight-related disorders,” explained Ms. Linehan. “Moreover, diet and exercise seem ineffective to achieve long-term weight loss and as such, novel treatments are necessary to improve the quality of life of millions of Canadians.”
Ms. Linehan’s Eastern Regional 3MT Competition video will be submitted to the National 3MT Competition, hosted by the Canadian Association for Graduate Studies.
“The Faculty of Medicine is very proud of Ms. Linehan’s accomplishments in this competition,” said Dr. James Rourke, dean, Faculty of Medicine. “Her research is an example of excellence in our doctoral students, and as a future educator, her research contributions to the Faculty of Medicine will impact the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Finalists’ videos will be available on Canada’s 3MT webpage (www.cags.ca/3mt.php) on Friday, May 15, and first and second place winners will be announced the first week of June. From May 15-28, the public can view and vote for the People’s Choice winner.
Last year, Kirk Luther, a doctoral student in Memorial’s Department of Psychology, won the 2014 Eastern Regional 3MT Competition and took home the 2014 People’s Choice Award. Both Ms. Linehan and Mr. Luther were coached by Dr. Peggy Coady, assistant professor and associate dean (course-based master’s), in Memorial’s Faculty of Business Administration.
About the Three Minute Thesis Competition
The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) is an internationally recognized research communication competition developed by the University of Queensland in Australia in 2008. Students have three minutes to present their research and its significance, using one static slide.
In 2014 Canada introduced the first National 3MT Competition. Universities across the country held their own local 3MT Competitions, from which the winners went on to compete in regional competitions. Winners from each regional competition were entered into the national competition hosted by the Canadian Association for Graduate Studies.
REF NO.: 154
SUBJECT: Memorial University doctoral student wins Eastern Regional 3MT Competition
DATE: May 13, 2015
A PhD student in Memorial University’s Faculty of Medicine has won first place in the Eastern Regional Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition.
Victoria Linehan’s doctoral work is in the area of neuroscience.
“I was honoured to be selected as the winner of the Eastern Regional 3MT Thesis Competition,” said Ms. Linehan. “It was a great experience, but the best part was getting to know my fellow presenters and learning about their work.”
The Eastern Regional 3MT Competition was hosted by Concordia University in Montreal, Que., on Thursday, May 7. Eight graduate students from various universities across Eastern Canada battled for the title.
“It was with pleasure that Concordia University hosted this important showcase of dynamic and diverse graduate research,” said Dr. Paula Wood-Adams, dean of graduate studies at Concordia and master of ceremonies of the event. “The Three Minute Thesis Competition is a unique opportunity for master’s and doctoral students to hone their presentation skills and prepare for the types of audiences they will face as they move forward in their careers and their research. I wish to congratulate all the participants who earned a spot in the competitive Eastern Canada regional final, and in particular Victoria Linehan who impressed our judges and took home the competition’s top prize.”
Ms. Linehan’s thesis, titled Diet Induced Plasticity of the Lateral Hypothalamus, attempts to uncover new treatment targets for weight loss. Her research aims to discover changes that occur in the brain in response to a high-fat diet, which may contribute to or maintain weight gain.
“More than half of the Canadian population is either overweight or obese, with a significant percentage of those affected suffering from weight-related disorders,” explained Ms. Linehan. “Moreover, diet and exercise seem ineffective to achieve long-term weight loss and as such, novel treatments are necessary to improve the quality of life of millions of Canadians.”
Ms. Linehan’s Eastern Regional 3MT Competition video will be submitted to the National 3MT Competition, hosted by the Canadian Association for Graduate Studies.
“The Faculty of Medicine is very proud of Ms. Linehan’s accomplishments in this competition,” said Dr. James Rourke, dean, Faculty of Medicine. “Her research is an example of excellence in our doctoral students, and as a future educator, her research contributions to the Faculty of Medicine will impact the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Finalists’ videos will be available on Canada’s 3MT webpage (www.cags.ca/3mt.php) on Friday, May 15, and first and second place winners will be announced the first week of June. From May 15-28, the public can view and vote for the People’s Choice winner.
Last year, Kirk Luther, a doctoral student in Memorial’s Department of Psychology, won the 2014 Eastern Regional 3MT Competition and took home the 2014 People’s Choice Award. Both Ms. Linehan and Mr. Luther were coached by Dr. Peggy Coady, assistant professor and associate dean (course-based master’s), in Memorial’s Faculty of Business Administration.
About the Three Minute Thesis Competition
The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) is an internationally recognized research communication competition developed by the University of Queensland in Australia in 2008. Students have three minutes to present their research and its significance, using one static slide.
In 2014 Canada introduced the first National 3MT Competition. Universities across the country held their own local 3MT Competitions, from which the winners went on to compete in regional competitions. Winners from each regional competition were entered into the national competition hosted by the Canadian Association for Graduate Studies.
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