The Graduate School invites you to help us celebrate Ball State’s outstanding student researchers by celebrating our annual Three Minute Thesis competition. This competition challenges students to convey the essence and importance of their master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation research in an engaging way to a non-specialist audience in just three minutes using one static PowerPoint slide. Thank you to everyone who participated and congratulations to our finalists!
Read more about about each finalist below…
Peoples Choice Award: Juliet Oluyale
What made you select your research topic?
My research is driven by a strong passion to ensure that architecture designs evolve to aid and accelerate healing in any healthcare infrastructures. I specifically chose pediatric primary care clinic as the center of my research study because they serve vulnerable populations (children), and their diverse needs must be kept in mind. My vision is developing evidence-based design for Pediatric Primary Care Clinics to enhance patients and families’ Safety and comfort, and Care Providers’ Efficiency.
Please tell us about your research
My research is titled “ Evidence-Based Design Guidelines for Pediatric Primary Care Clinics “ My research provides practical architecture design guidelines that enhances the physical, social and mental wellbeing of patients, families and healthcare providers. These guidelines are anchored in nine therapeutic goals: wayfinding and accessibility, safety, sense of belonging, waiting experience, visual and auditory privacy, efficient layout, communication and interaction, staff support and induced education.
How did the Three Minute Thesis Competition experience benefit you?
It was fulfilling to showcase our work to such a large crowd. It was fulfilling to see that the audience were excited about the work. Also, I got lots of feedback that were valuable. The 3MT competition also helped me prepare ahead of my upcoming conference presentations. Furthermore, the money attached to my award help cater for some of my expenses. It was worth it!
What brought you to Ball State University?
I love the Architecture program. Before coming, I found out that the program is one of the best and designed to make you an excellent architect!
What are your future goals/career goals?
My career goal is to continue my work in architecture design and engineering, integrating architecture technology and innovative strategies to improve human wellbeing and development.
3rd Place: Jennifer Stefanovski
What made you select your research topic?
I am an EMDR therapist with an interest in neuroscience so I was curious about the intersections that have not been explored with EMDR.
Please tell us about your research.
My research focuses on the use of Event Related Potentials (ERPs), our brains activity in response to a stimuli before conscious awareness. I hope to use ERP measurements to explore the impact of bilateral stimulation, an underpinning of EMDR treatment commonly used in the treatment of trauma, and its impact on neural correlates especially those modulated as a result of trauma.
How did the Three Minute Thesis Competition experience benefit you?
It really helped me get out of my comfort zone and practice public speaking skills and encouraged me to focus my research question and design more intentionally.
What brought you to Ball State University?
I did my master’s here 2010-2012, loved the program, and wanted to come back for the program and the research that was being done by Dr. Perrone in her neuroscience lab.
What are your future goals/career goals?
To become a psychologist and continue to practice as a therapist and possibly go into academia.
Anything else you would like us to know?
Thank you for the opportunity from 3MT! It was a great experience.
2nd Place: Aidan Harmer
What made you select your research topic?
Being exposed to diverse training environments and different types of runners, I noticed one shared challenge: downhill running. While footwear technologies have advanced, insoles often remain overlooked. My personal experiences running downhill and fascination with improving the running experience led me to investigate how arch-support insoles might mitigate injury risk and enhance comfort on steep descents.
Please tell us about your research.
In the Ball State Biomechanics Lab, runners complete trials on a force-instrumented treadmill set at three gradients—0%, -9%, and -18%. Participants test three insoles within each gradient: a standard sock liner and two over-the-counter arch-support products. Meanwhile, motion capture systems and electromyography (EMG) measure variables such as joint angles, impact forces, and muscle activation. I aim to determine how specific insoles influence downhill running mechanics, helping mitigate injury risk and optimize performance.
I chose Ball State for its impressive exercise science program, state-of-the-art Biomechanics Laboratory, and the opportunity to participate in institutional research. My experience here has included hands-on lab work and strong academic mentorship, which have helped me grow as a researcher and a professional in biomechanics.
What are your future goals/career goals?
After completing my degree, I plan to continue researching and innovating in running biomechanics, ideally working with runners of all experience levels to enhance footwear design. By combining my practical running experience with lab-based science, I hope t0 become a leading voice in injury prevention and performance optimization. The goal is to make research insights accessible and actionable for runners everywhere!
Anything else you would like us to know?
I am grateful for the opportunities Ball State has provided. I look forward to expanding this research so that even more runners can stay healthy and continue enjoying the sport they love.
1st Place: David McFarland
What made you select your research topic?
It was a way to blend two of my passions: environmental conservation and space exploration. My Master’s research started me on the path of learning about biochar and its benefits to agriculture. After seeing how useful it could be in environmental remediation, I was looking for a way to keep working with it and spread awareness.
Please tell us about your research.
I tested biochar, which is an agricultural charcoal-like product, to see how well it would work in helping crops grow in Martian soil. I grew soybeans in a Martian soil simulant developed by a private company working with NASA’s Johnson Space Laboratory and experimented with different combinations of biochar, compost, and fertilizers. I compared the growth of the plants as well as the nutrients that were found in the plant tissue at the end of the experiment to what was in the soil and the water that we collected from the runoff. My hope is that by demonstrating how successful using biochar can be, we can convince more farmers to invest in its use because it would help prevent water pollution.
How did the Three Minute Thesis Competition experience benefit you?
It was a fun experience. I wasn’t sure I was going to do it because I didn’t want to take on more commitments while trying to meet graduation deadlines, but I’m glad I did. I met several other great grad students and learned about their research. I was inspired by the enthusiasm and passion they showed in their work.
What brought you to Ball State University?
I was accepted into a few doctoral programs in different areas of the country, but it came down to two main points. I felt most confident in the working relationship I would form with the people here, and they made me a generous offer.
What are your future goals/career goals?
When I finished my Master’s degree, I began teaching at LSU. I found that I enjoy teaching and plan to look for a position as a Professor. My alternate plans are to work for the Department of Natural Resources or EPA.
Anything else you would like us to know?
I’m really glad I made the choice to come to Ball State. I couldn’t be happier with the support and relationships I’ve found here. Everyone in the Environment Geology and Natural Resources department is great, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a major.
