Public Health and Health Systems students sweep AHS 3MT competition

Friday, March 13, 2015

AHS 3MT winners Mike MacKinley and Sierra Palaniyandi.

Michael MacKinley and Sierra Palaniyandi of the School of Public Health and Health Systems were selected as this year's winners of the 2015 Applied Health Sciences (AHS) heat of the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition.

During the unique competition for research-based masters thesis and doctoral students, competitors have 1 static slide and 3 minutes to explain the breadth and significance of their research to a non-specialist audience.

This year, 24 student presenters showed in a very engaging way the diversity of research being conducted throughout the Faculty.

MacKinley, supervised by Suzanne Tyas, examined “The interaction between early- and late-life exposures in predicting cognitive resilience in older adulthood.”

Palaniyandi, supervised by Brian Laird, presented on “Mercury and selenium in Inuit traditional foods.” 

The students win cash prizes ($150 for first prize, $100 for second prize) and earn the right to represent AHS at the University-wide finals on April 2 at 2:30 p.m. in Hagey Hall. University finalists proceed to provincial and then national competitions later this spring.

Thanks are extended to judges Jim Frank, Heather Mair and Alex Crizzle. 

Congratulations to all of the competitors on their great presentations showcasing their impressive research and its potential benefit for future generations.