Graduate student Melanie Wilson excels in Three-Minute Thesis competitions
July 06, 2026
Melanie Wilson, PhD candidate in the Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, earned top honors in multiple Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competitions for her research on the effects of lead exposure on the brain.
Melanie Wilson (left) at the Three-minute Thesis event.
Her thesis, entitled “Invisible Threat, Visible Impact: How Lead Exposure Disrupts the Brain’s Stress Response,” explores how lead exposure impacts the brain’s stress response.
The 3MT event asks contestants to present a three-minute explanation of their research in a compelling, accessible way that anyone—not just scientists—can understand. Developed by The University of Queensland, 3MT cultivates students’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills. The 3MT Competition is held in over 900 universities across more than 80 countries worldwide.
At the LSU Pinkie Gordon Lane Graduate School 3MT Competition, Wilson won first place overall, competing with LSU campus wide graduate students. Fellow LSU Vet Med PhD candidate in the Department of Pathobiological Science, Md Imran Hossain, also competed in the competition.
The next round of the 3MT competition, held at the LA NEXT Conference, included graduate students from universities all over Louisiana, including LSU Health, LSU Shreveport, Louisiana Tech, University of Louisiana Lafayette, Southern University, and more. Wilson again won first place at the LA NEXT Conference 3MT Competition and went on to represent LSU at the regionals round at the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools in February.
Wilson’s many successes in the 3MT competitions showcase her dedication to making complex scientific research accessible through clear and impactful science communication.