The 3MT® Competition [1] challenges graduate students to present their thesis in 3 minutes using only one slide. Their research must be presented to a panel of non-specialist judges in an engaging and accessible way. Each College within the University of Guelph holds a competition to select two students who will compete at the University of Guelph 3MT® Final Competition. Ultimately, the winner of the University competition will represent Guelph at the Provincial Competition hosted by McMaster University on Wednesday, April 17th, 2019.

This year, the presenters from CEPS who will move forward to the University of Guelph 3MT® Final Competition include: PhD Candidate Saipriya Ramalingam for her presentation titled Toxic Seafood and Beyond; and MSc student Jennifer Crha for her presentation titled Vaccines at Guelph.

Saipriya is working with engineering professor Ashutosh Singh [2] to design a “lab-on-a-chip” that can be used to detect okadaic acid in shellfish and prevent food poisoning. The new microfluidic biochip will enable the detection of very low concentrations of okadaic acid; it could be implemented to ensure the safety of seafoods such as mussels and clams.

Jennifer is working with chemistry professor Mario Monteiro [3] to develop carbohydrate vaccines against one of the most common causes of diarrhea worldwide: the bacteria, Campylobacter. Vaccines can be made from a harmless version of the bacteria, or a specific component of the bacteria. Campylobacter is covered in a layer of specific carbohydrates. These carbohydrates can be used in a vaccine so that the immune system recognizes the outer layer of the bacteria and is prepared to fight off infection if exposed to that bacteria in the future.

Come out to the University of Guelph 3MT® Final Competition [4] on April 3rd to view the CEPS finalists present about their research and to show your support!