The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, hosted the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition on March 29, 2023. In this competition, master’s and doctoral students have the chance to present their research with a single slide presentation in only three minutes. Originally developed by the University of Queensland in 2008, a panel of judges choose the winners based on content and engagement. This is the sixth year that UT has hosted the competition, with twelve participants moving into the final round. Two of the competitors, Ekramul Ehite and Sweta Dixit, are the Herbert College of Agriculture students.
Ehite, a PhD candidate in the Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science (BESS), won the People’s Choice award with his thesis presentation. By framing his topic using Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, Ehite described his work of applying agricultural waste into biomass energy production. “Using complex simulations, he has found promising ways to use agricultural waste in energy production that avoid the problems of high rates of friction, allowing for a much more efficient output of cleaner energy,” the Graduate School stated.
How did you come up with using A Christmas Carol as framework for your presentation?
I am a huge Charles Dickens fan, and A Christmas Carol has been a perennial favorite (I have watched Clarence Brown Theatre’s theatrical production of the play every year I have been in UT!). It is a story that teaches us to learn from the past, appreciate the present, and prepare for the future. To me, those principles are especially relevant as we make a move towards regenerative agriculture and circular economy. Thus, it fits my presentation on agricultural biomass-derived bioenergy production well.
Why do you feel it’s important for students to participate in the Three Minute Thesis competition and others like it?
Successful researchers and scientists need to tailor their message to various stakeholders. The COVID-19 pandemic was a very recent example of the importance of effective scientific communication. Short-length presentations such as the 3 Minute Thesis Competition encourage the competitors to distill the core features of their research and make it understandable to a broad audience. For students, this skill is vital as they become future leaders, educators, and policymakers and preach knowledge to a wider public.
How did the Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science department support you in this competition?
The BESS department has been a major support throughout this competition and my whole doctoral career. My Ph.D. advisor, Dr. Nour Abdoulmoumine, and Head of the Department, Dr. Julie Carrier, provided valuable feedback and constant encouragement while preparing the presentation. Additionally, the BESS department and the UT AgResearch have jointly supported me through the 2020-2023 FFAR Professional Development Fellowship program, which has contributed to improving my presentation and communication skills immensely.
What are your plans after receiving your Ph.D.?
After completing my doctoral degree in the Summer of 2023, I plan to pursue biotechnological research and development positions in an industrial setting. I recently completed a R&D Co-Op position with Janssen Pharmaceuticals of Johnson & Johnson, which has inspired me to be a scientific research leader in diverse industries.
