2024 UCalgary 3MT Information

UCalgary 3MT schedule

This schedule provides a general sense of the timing of 3MT events and deadlines. 

Deborah Yedlin Headshot

Deborah Yedlin

Deborah Yedlin currently serves as President and CEO of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. She took on the role of stewarding the 132  year old organization in July 2021, bringing with her experience in capital markets gained while working on Wall Street and Bay Street, two decades of covering Canadian Business as a columnist for various media outlets and a unique perspective on the role of post-secondary education in society, having just completed a four year term as Chancellor of the University of Calgary.

Since moving to Calgary in 1992, Deborah has been very active in the Calgary community, serving on the boards of a number of arts and community organizations and is currently one of three co-chairs for the $250 mm Calgary Cancer Centre fundraising campaign.

Kat Kastner Headshot

Kat Kastner

Kat Kastner is the recent winner of CTV's The Amazing Race Canada, a journey that spanned over 12,000 kilometers and six provinces. Kat and her fiancé defeated 10 teams in various physical, intellectual and emotional challenges throughout the race.

Kastner is a born and raised Calgarian who is passionate about mental health advocacy and opening the conversation on anxiety, empowerment and resilience. She graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies in 2020.

Kastner currently works in high performance sport and has a fierce desire to inspire others to spread connection and hope in our communities. In her spare time, she enjoys playing various sports, traveling and hiking.

Headshot of Kim Ruse

Kim Ruse

As a leader and innovator, Kim Ruse has built a career exemplified by excellence in scaling and growing non-profit organizations, developing strong teams, and transforming cultures. As the CEO of FearIsNotLove, Kim more than doubled the size of the agency and its revenue over eight years.

In non-profit leadership roles over the past 20+ years, Kim championed innovation projects that improve social conditions and systems. At FearIsNotLove, Kim spearheaded innovative violence prevention programs, such as the Innovative Systems Response Project; co-authored Shelter 2.0 on enhancing women’s shelters’ impact in ending violence, and launching the Shelterlink App and Men &.

Kim has been honoured with the McKillop Award for commitment to the Calgary community, and an Alberta Government Inspiration Award for leadership. In 2022, she was named one of Calgary’s Influential Women in Business, and in 2023, received Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee medal recognizing her contributions to the Province.

Rahim Sajan Headshot

Rahim Sajan

Rahim Sajan is a public teacher, speaker coach, and leadership advisor who has served in multiple roles within civil society. Including serving as Chair of the 2030 Alberta World Expo Bid to mark Alberta’s 125th Anniversary. 

Rahim as the Co-Founder and Curator of TEDxCalgary, has the distinction of being one of the longest serving TEDx curators in the world. As a speaker coach, he has coached over 100 speakers from multiple disciplines. Rahim is also the founder of the Resourceful Human Project which is focused on developing next generation learning systems. 


Watch videos of the 2023 UCalgary 3MT finalists

Winner

Dana Lowry, Kinesiology

Protection with prebiotics: An early life intervention to mitigate negative effects of antibiotics.

Watch Dana's video

Second Place and People's Choice

Jamie Roeske, Biomedical Engineering

Mind the gap: Identifying mismatches in the rates of pediatric brain development

Watch Jamie's video

Third Place

Joseph Madamesila, Physics and Astronomy

Can an AI detect brain cancer earlier using diffusion MRI?

Watch Joseph's video

Finalist

Abdul Al-Shawwa, Medical Sciences

"Will I get worse if I wait?" Artificial intelligence to predict spine deterioration

Watch Abdul's video

Finalist

Bethany Trotter, Nursing

Expectations of care in the ICU

Watch Bethany's video

Finalist

Callie Stirling, Biomedical Engineering

Investigating the effects of a bisphosphonate on the development of Post Traumatic Osteoarthritis (PTOA) following an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tear

Watch Callie's video

Finalist

Catherine Patocka, Community Health Sciences

Precision feedback in healthcare

Watch Catherine's video

Finalist

Rumika Mascarenhas, Neuroscience

Understanding the genetics of seizures: A deep dive into brain tissue

Watch Rumika's video

Finalist

Sara Far, Biological Sciences

Better beyond meat

Watch Sara's video

Finalist

Xue Yan Chan, Geography

Peat under pressure: The flat-out consequences of repeated seismic activity

Watch Xue Yan's video

Sign up

You've learned about the 3MT, you know you're eligible, you've talked to your friends, family, colleagues and supervisor, and everyone agrees. You need to sign up for this amazing experience!

This part is easy: come up with a catchy title and send in your registration.

Start practicing!

It takes time, careful editing and lots of practice to pull off a great 3MT talk. Time management is essential, since you're doing this alongside your other obligations.

In time, you'll need to memorize your talk. Practice with family, friends, a mirror, or try recording yourself.

Sign up for a feedback session and workshops

Sign up for workshops during the registration process.

Sign up for an in-person feedback session to get one-on-one advice on your talk and slide. Pro tip: most past finalists attended a feedback session. In-person feedback sessions take place in March.

Keep practicing!

You've done some workshops, attended a feedback session and you've got your talk memorized. Time to put your feet up and relax? No way! Keep practicing. Have you tried your talk while in the shower? On the train? Driving to work? Feeding the ducks? Practice, practice, practice. 

Attend your in-person heat

This is it! You'll be in a heat of around 15 students. Heat audiences are usually small, so don't stress. Besides, you've been practicing like crazy! Have fun and give yourself a pat on the back - this is a big accomplishment. And remember to make some noise for your competitors!

Going to finals

The top two finishers from each heat go to finals, which usually takes place about two weeks after the heats. We offer finalists another feedback session to really hone the small details. Make sure you keep practicing!

The winner of the finals represents UCalgary at Western Regionals.

Video sessions and outreach

After finals, all 3MT finalists will have a video recorded for them by the Faculty of Graduate Studies. These videos will be posted on the My GradSkills website.