Inaugural BESA 3-Minute Thesis Competition Highlights Research Excellence and Communication

The Biomedical Engineering Students Association (BESA) proudly hosted its inaugural 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition, celebrating graduate research excellence and the ability to communicate complex scientific ideas to a broad audience. The competition was held over two stages, with the semi-final round taking place on November 14, 2025, followed by the final round on November 28, 2025, bringing together graduate students from across the Department of Biomedical Engineering. 

The semi-final round showcased a wide range of research topics spanning medical imaging, biomaterials, neuroengineering, artificial intelligence, and equitable health technologies. Participants included Savina Cammalleri, Tasnia Nabil, Boyi Ma, Tereza Blahova, David Li, Kaiwen Liu, Amy Huang, Dharsan Ravindran, Zeeshan Siddiqui, Sajida Chowdhury, Megh Rathod, and Selena Chen. Presenters were challenged to distill their research into a clear and engaging three-minute talk using a single static slide, with the top presenters advancing to the final round following the semi-finals. 

After an impressive final round, the winners of the BESA 3MT Competition were announced:
Winner: Megh Rathod
Runner-Up: Sajida Chowdhury
People’s Choice Award: Dharsan Ravindran 

Megh Rathod captured first place with a compelling presentation on the development of melanin-inclusive pulse oximeters, emphasizing the importance of equity in medical device design. Sajida Chowdhury earned runner-up for her work using contrast-free MRI to detect microvascular dysfunction, while Dharsan Ravindran received the People’s Choice Award for his engaging talk on AI-powered forecasting to improve operating room planning. 

The competition was evaluated by a panel of judges consisting of Dr. Jürgen Germann, Dr. Paul Yoo, Dr. Chris Bouwmeester. Judges assessed presentations based on clarity, engagement, and overall impact, and finalists received constructive feedback following the semi-final round to help refine their talks for the finals. 

As the first 3MT competition organized by the Biomedical Engineering Students Association, the event represents a significant milestone for the department. The success of both the semi-final and final rounds highlights the strength and diversity of biomedical engineering research and establishes a strong foundation for making the BESA 3MT Competition a recurring departmental tradition. BESA would like to thank the faculty judges, organizers, volunteers, and departmental supporters whose time and contributions were instrumental in making this inaugural event a success. 

Photos from the semi-final and final rounds can be viewed in the event gallery here: https://hubcityimages.pixieset.com/3mt/