'Google Maps' and 'Stem Cell Hotels' - the 3MT Faculty of Medicine Final

A mixture of final year and second year PhD students, each entrant confidently delivered a presentation on their research, in just a few minutes.

Subjects ranged from potential treatments for ocular diseases, to the use of human embryonic stem cells, to routes for drug delivery into the brain.

From colourful slides, to metaphors for ‘google maps’ and ‘stem cell hotels’, the contestants used a variety of tools to translate their scientific research for a non-specialist audience.

Winning the event, and going on to represent Medicine in the Three Minute Thesis Grand Final, was Nazira Albargothy, a second year PhD student in Clinical and Experimental Sciences.

She said: “I feel very privileged to take part in the Three Minute Thesis competition and I hope I do justice to the Faculty of Medicine in the final.

“I think it is really important to talk about our research, and to talk publicly about what we are researching. The company I am funded by would like my research to be as translational as possible. My research is ultimately for the public and funded by the public so it is important to engage with them.”

Dr Ashley Pringle, Director of the Faculty Graduate School in Medicine, led the proceedings and wished all the entrants luck. The Three Minute Thesis is a national (and then global) initiative, with the winner of the University’s Three Minute Thesis Grand Final in May going on to represent Southampton in the national 3MT competition.

Awarded the People’s Choice accolade was Sophie Arthur, a second year integrated PhD student in Human Development and Health, who delivered a presentation titled: ‘Human embryonic stem cells – the perfect medicine.’

The Faculty of Medicine students who took part were:

• Nazira Albargothy
• Sophie Arthur
• Gareth Ward

The Three Minute Thesis Grand Final will take place on the 12 May and act as the opening event for the Festival of Doctoral Research.