Advanced nursing practice student wins NDSU’s inaugural Three Minute Thesis Competition
Published February 5, 2015
Allison Peltier, a doctoral student in advanced nursing practice, delivered the top presentation in North Dakota State University’s first Three Minute Thesis Competition, hosted by the Graduate School on Feb. 4, 2015. She earned $1,000 for the accomplishment.
Peltier, a native of Carrington, North Dakota, presented "Addressing Cervical Cancer Disparities Among American Indian Women: Implementing an Education Module for Healthcare Providers." She described her focus on contributing factors to cervical cancer disparities among American Indian women, including unique risk factors and barriers in health care access.
Local and state civic and business leaders, along with NDSU students and faculty, judged the competition. They selected Peltier’s presentation from a group of five finalists that also included Lutfur Akand in civil engineering; Adam Edwinson in molecular pathogenesis; Venkata Indurthi in pharmaceutical science; and Courage Mudzongo in developmental science. Each of the finalists earned $250 for advancing from the competition’s initial rounds.
Twenty-five NDSU graduate researchers gained skills for clear, concise communication in the NDSU Graduate School’s first Three Minute Thesis Competition.
“We have to sell our ideas to generate support and change the world,” said J. Patrick Traynor, president of the Dakota Medical Foundation and competition judge. “These students are really deep thinkers who are researching practical things that can have an impact in people’s lives today. It’s amazing.”
The competition began with 25 students from a variety of disciplines competing in early rounds. Their objective was to quickly explain the goals and value of their research in terms relevant to government officials, media, future employers and funding organization representatives.
“The quality of the research these students presented was outstanding,” said David Wittrock, dean of the College of Graduate and Interdisciplinary Studies. “Their ability to convey the value of their work clearly and concisely is going to be an asset as they enter the workforce.”
The Dakota Medical Foundation, the Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation and Sanford Health, all of Fargo, North Dakota, sponsored the event.
Australia's University of Queensland developed the first Three Minute Thesis competition in 2008, and the concept has spread to institutions around the world. At least 170 universities in more than 17 countries now hold competitions.
