Meet the 2026 UCalgary 3MT Finals' Hosts and Judges!
Torri Heiser
Torri started her academic career here at the University of Calgary studying biomechanics in the faculty of kinesiology. She completed her bachelor’s degree in the spring of 2023, before starting her MSc program in the fall. She is currently in her third year of her thesis program, working on single muscle fibre energetics under the supervision of Dr. Walter Herzog. Outside of the lab, Torri works for a top home builder in Calgary, selling condos and townhomes. She also loves to read and is always up for an exercise class with her friends in her free time.
Parker Volk
Parker is a fourth year PhD student in Gastrointestinal Sciences in the McKay lab. He completed his BSc in Honours Biology with a philosophy minor at the University of Victoria before moving to Calgary. His work focuses on bioactive products made by the rat tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta and their effects on the host immune system. Outside of the lab he is active in UCalgary’s host-parasite interactions group’s community engagement committee and (perhaps unsurprisingly) three minute thesis.
Scott Crockatt, AVP Communications at UCalgary
Scott’s role is to drive the mission of the University of Calgary by advancing and enhancing its reputation across every audience and community. His career has spanned over two decades in communications, marketing, and public affairs. He is a dedicated community builder and an internationally recognized communicator who has advised and developed strategies for chief executives, government officials, and some of Canada’s largest companies and universities.
A proud alumnus, Scott holds degrees in Business and Political Science from the University of Calgary.
Tracy Johnson, CEO, Calgary Public Library Foundation
Tracy is a nonprofit leader with more than a decade of experience growing community support for the Calgary Public Library Foundation. Appointed CEO of the Calgary Public Library Foundation in 2019 after the success of the $350M Add In Campaign, she focuses on building strong community connections and engaging thousands of donors to support public access to books, learning, and programs.
In 2025, Tracy and her team launched the Fifth Book Campaign to help address rising book costs and ensure Calgarians continue to have access to the resources they need. Under her leadership, the Foundation’s community of supporters has grown from 900 to more than 31,000 donors. Tracy was also named one of Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2024.
Lucas McCarthy, CEO, Showpass
Lucas McCarthy is the Founder and CEO of Showpass, one of Canada’s leading event technology companies. Under his leadership, Showpass has grown into a platform that supports ticketing, payments, and on-site operations for hundreds of thousands of events and venues across North America.
Lucas is driven by a passion for leveraging technology, especially artificial intelligence, to streamline operations, elevate the customer experience and unlock new revenue streams. A frequent speaker on the future of live experiences, he offers sharp insight into how emerging technologies are reshaping how organizations engage their audiences.
Learn more about the UCalgary Three Minute Thesis Competition