Marie Gilbertson, DVM, PhD candidate, and Marissa Oram, PhD student, recently represented the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) at the 3 Minute Thesis competition on the St. Paul Campus. The October 23 event in the Cargill Building drew 12 competitors from the CVM, College of Biological Sciences, and College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences. One winner from each college went on to the University-wide Science in Seconds event on Friday, November 8. Gilbertson won the People’s Choice Award at the St. Paul Campus competition and was among the students selected to go on to the University-wide competition on the East Bank, where she won first place.

“I knew I wanted to participate in the 3 Minute Thesis competition sometime in my graduate career because science communication has become an increasingly important skill for me,” Gilbertson says. “The competition was an important way for me to further grow and expand my skills in this area.”

Gilbertson's research looks into how scientists might be able to stop or prevent outbreaks of a deadly virus, feline leukemia virus, in Florida panthers. She hopes to have a career in academia, ideally working on complex issues in human, animal, and environmental health. “My work will require me to communicate and collaborate across disciplines and stakeholders, for which being able to communicate concisely and effectively across diverse audiences will be vital,” she says. 

According to Gilbertson, scientists often emphasize the “how” part of their work, but tend to forget to talk about the “why.” In summarizing her research for the competition, she says she worked to find a balance between explaining how she was conducting research and why she was doing it. “I tried to zoom out and explain how I’m doing my work through the use of an analogy,” she says.

The relationship between science and storytelling is what fueled Gilbertson’s approach to the competition, as well as her interest in participating. “With stories, we are able to convey emotions and ideas that break down barriers and open people to more personal connection,” she says. “Those connections are what change hearts, minds, and behaviors. The 3 Minute Thesis competition helped students communicate their science concisely and encouraged participants to tell stories. I think that’s a powerful exercise for developing more effective communicators and a better world.” 

Gilbertson will move on to the US regional competition in February.