2026 UCalgary 3MT Finalists

Congratulations to our 2026 3MT finalists!

Headshot of Paula Brandt

Finalist

Paula Brandt, Medicine - Medical Science
Supervisor: Dr. Peter Stys
Islet Amyloid Polypeptide: The Biological Velcro Creating Sticky Situations in Type 2 Diabetes

Headshot of Selena Fu

Finalist

Selena Fu, Psychology
Supervisor: Dr. Richard Dyck
Zinc-ing Differently About Psychedelic-Induced Reopening of the Social Reward Learning Critical Period

Headshot of Madison Fullerton

Finalist

Madison Fullerton, Medicine - Medical Science
Supervisor: Dr. Sandra Davidson
Eliminating Cervical Cancer, One Community at a Time

Headshot of Ranuki Hettiarachchige

Finalist

Ranuki Hettiarachchige, Engineering - Biomedical
Supervisor: Dr. Sayeh Bayat
Can Everyday Driving Reveal Early Signs of Cognitive Decline?

Headshot of Jada Kiss

Finalist

Jada Kiss, Kinesiology
Supervisor: Dr. Leigh Gabel
It’s All About Numbers: Associations Between Diabetes Duration, Blood Sugar Control, and Bone Health in Adolescents with Type-1 Diabetes

Headshot of Maahika Mehta

Finalist

Maahika Mehta, Engineering - Biomedical
Supervisor: Dr. Sayeh Bayat
Gait Up and Going – Walking Towards a Digitalized Frailty Framework

Headshot of Tosin Ogunleye

Finalist

Tosin Ogunleye, Medicine – Community Health Sciences
Dr. Claire Barber
The Cost of Not Knowing

Headshot of Jaylon Pascual

Finalist

Jaylon Pascual, Engineering - Biomedical
Supervisor: Dr. Emily Rogers-Bradley & Dr. Koren Roach 
Biomechanical Impact of a Powered Exoskeleton for Reduced Knee Extension and Gait Symmetry

Headshot of Jessica Ruffolo

Finalist

Jessica Ruffolo, Medicine - Neuroscience
Supervisor: Dr. Stephanie Borgland
When Enough is Never Enough: How the Brain Fuels Overeating

Headshot of Mackenzie Wallich

Finalist

Mackenzie Wallich, Engineering - Biomedical
Supervisor: Dr. Sayeh Bayat
Mobility Fingerprints: Detecting Early Signs of Health Decline

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.