Graduate Students Showcase Research at 3MT® Competition

Wed, 12/03/2025 - 12:46am | By: Shaadi Shoubaki

The University of Southern Mississippi recently celebrated the research of its graduate students during the 12^th Annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition on Nov. 14 in the Joe Paul Student Theater on the Hattiesburg campus. This year’s competition highlighted the depth and diversity of scholarship at Southern Miss, with more than 30 graduate students presenting their research in a clear, compelling three-minute pitch.

Joseph Previte, a doctoral candidate in polymer science and engineering, earned the title of 2025 3MT® Grand Champion. He will represent Southern Miss at the regional 3MT® competition during the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools in Baton Rouge, La., Feb. 18-20, 2026. Previte’s accomplishment reflects the strong research and communication skills cultivated across the graduate community.

In addition to the Grand Champion honor, the competition also recognized other exceptional student researchers:

• Grand Champion ($1,000): Joseph Previte, Polymer Science and Engineering, Ph.D.
  “Unlocking the Final Frontier: 3D Printing Heat Shields for Space Travel.”
  
  
• Runner-Up ($750): Jamion Burney, Experimental Psychology, Ph.D.
  “Peer Relationships: Sense of Belonging for African American College Students.”
  
  
• People’s Choice ($500): Amy Coronado, Polymer Science and Engineering, Ph.D.
  “Doing Both: Plastics Built for Useful Life and Redemptive Death.”
  
  
• Michael Dodson, STEM Education, Ph.D.
  “Plant Awareness and Connections to Human and Plant Interactions.”
  
  
• Matt Martin, Communication, Ph.D.
  “Image Identity Exchange”
  
  
• Clyde Raible, Experimental Psychology, Ph.D.
  “Volunteer Spotlighting: Costly Signals to Promote Volunteerism.”
  
  
• Ardian Rizal, Marine Science, M.S.
  “The Development of msbCOAWST, a Model to Monitor Water and Salt Movement in Mississippi Coastal Waters.”
  
  
• Melinda Slay, Experimental Psychology, Ph.D.
  “The Rise in Obesity: A Multilevel Socio-Ecological Perspective.”

Each finalist received an additional $250 in recognition of their achievement in advancing to the final round.

The 3MT® competition offers graduate students an opportunity to strengthen their communication skills and share the real-world impact of their research with the campus and broader community. Southern Miss is proud of every student who participated and grateful for the contributions they make to the university’s research mission. Their work continues to show the value and relevance of graduate scholarship at Southern Miss.