SS
Srivarna Settisara Janney
  • Data Science and Analytics
  • Class of 2018
  • Cumming, GA

Graduate students compete in Three Minute Thesis contest

2018 Apr 17

Srivarna Settisara Janney of Smyrna was one of 16 Kennesaw State students who competed in a University-sponsored exercise, The Three Minute Thesis (3MT), a research communication competition developed by the University of Queensland.

Sponsored by Kennesaw State's Graduate College, the competition invited master's and doctoral students to present a compelling oration on their thesis or dissertation topics. Students had three minutes to explain the significance of their research, which urged them to consolidate their ideas and crystallize their research discoveries.

Kelsey Clearman, a graduate student in integrative biology, was this year's winner of KSU's 3MT contest. Her thesis was titled "Transcending the Cell Fate Stereotype: CPP-adapter System Helps Induce Pluripotency in Multiple Cell Types."

Erica Strope, a graduate student in integrative biology, was the runner-up, and Srivarna Janney, a computer science major, earned the top audience votes in the People's Choice award.

According to Kennesaw State organizers, the exercise develops academic, presentation and research communication skills, and supports the development of students' capabilities to effectively explain their research in language that is appropriate to non-specialist audiences.

This is the fourth year that the competition has been offered at Kennesaw State. Judges for the 3MT included four professionals from various industries in metro Atlanta.