March 27, 2025 — Get ready for an exciting showcase of innovation as two talented graduate students from the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences at the University of Manitoba prepare for the prestigious Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) final event! The competition will take place on April 1 at the Robert B. Schultz Theatre in St. John’s College, Fort Garry Campus— and you won’t want to miss it!

Launched in 2008 by The University of Queensland, the 3MT competition is a thrilling platform where graduate students condense their complex research into three-minute presentations designed for a general audience. Each contestant is allowed one visual slide to communicate the significance and implications of their work. This year’s event showcases 12 finalists who emerged from an initial pool of 37 challengers from diverse fields, demonstrating just how critical their research is to tackling pressing health issues.

Participants include both master’s and doctoral students vying for top honors, including the Dr. Archie McNicol Prize for First Place, offering a generous $2000, along with a second and third place prize of $1250 and $500 respectively. However, it’s not just the judges who have a say—the audience will also have an opportunity to cast their vote for the coveted People’s Choice Award, worth $200!

Meet the Innovators: Leading Research to New Horizons

Adewunmi Giwa, PhD Candidate in Food Science

Adewunmi’s presentation, titled “Stripping cancer’s armor: How pea bioactive peptides trigger cancer self-destruction,” delves into the revolutionary use of plant-derived peptides to combat cancer. His research shows how these peptides target a specific enzyme called GPX4 that cancer cells rely on for survival, potentially leading to a new therapeutic method called ferroptosis—where cancer cells self-destruct, sparing healthy cells from harm. With an emphasis on targeting treatment resistance that plagues traditional therapies, Adewunmi aims to transform the way we approach cancer treatment.

Anne Manson, PhD Candidate in Human Nutritional Sciences

Anne will be presenting her research on “Using oxylipins to inform dietary omega-3 fat intake and heart drug development.” Her innovative work arrives at a crucial time as cardiovascular diseases continue to be a leading cause of mortality globally. By establishing methods to measure dietary omega-3 fatty acids through oxylipins—substances produced by fats—she hopes to provide valuable insights for dietary guidelines and pharmaceutical developments aimed at improving heart health.

A Unique Opportunity for Tomorrow’s Leaders

Both students have expressed how the 3MT experience is a rigorous yet rewarding exercise in effective science communication. The challenge of distilling extensive research into concise information is no small feat, but they are committed to sharing knowledge that could make a real difference in health practices and treatments.

Whether you’re a student, researcher, or simply curious about cutting-edge health science, join us on April 1st at 7:00 PM to witness these scholars’ innovative ideas and perhaps get inspired by the future of human health research. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to engage with the future leaders in nutritional and agricultural sciences!