Congratulations to the 2026 3 Minute Thesis finalists! These Cardinals contribute more to Ball State than just their research. Get to know them below, and wish all of them luck in the final 3 Minute Thesis competition.

Join us to watch their presentations on February 19th, 2026, from 6:30-9:00pm in Emens Auditorium!

Finalist 1: Jewel Johnson, Biology, PhD

The “Egg-strodinary” Social Life Of Eggs

Jewel Johnson is a PhD candidate in the Department of Biology at Ball State University, researching under the mentorship of Dr. Jess Ward. While animal communication is traditionally thought to be reserved for adults or juveniles, Jewel’s work challenges the idea that life begins in silence. After all, you never expect eggs to “talk” to each other. His innovative thesis demonstrates that fish embryos are far more interactive and intelligent than previously assumed, utilizing various sensory cues for social interactions and adjusting their behavior in the face of predation threats. Looking ahead, Jewel aims to continue his career as a researcher, uncovering more secrets of the natural world.

 

 

Finalist 2: Eve Kopsolias, Journalism & Strategic Communication, M.S.

Fostering Happiness in ACE-Affected Youth

Eve is a long-time advocate for children who, after over a decade of volunteering with them, will be serving as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) here in Muncie. Eve serves on the Graduate Education Committee at Ball State University, and she hopes to pursue future academic projects that can help deter bullying in schools through interactive storytelling. After graduation, Eve plans to continue her research as a doctoral student with dreams of becoming an academic writer, speaker, and professor who will help lead the next generations towards a brighter future.

Abby Shaw is finishing her Master of Landscape Architecture degree and holds a bachelor’s in environmental management from Indiana University. Her research interests include evidence-based habitat design, green mobility networks, and ecosystem service economics. She is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects and the Education Chair for the Robert Cooper Audubon Society. Outside of school, you can find Abby trail running or watching a movie with her cat, Paddington. After graduation, she plans to become a licensed landscape architect and start training for her first triathlon

 

 

Finalist 4: Andy Morrow, Educational Leadership, Ph.D.

Recalculating: Driving Without a Map in the “Gray Zone” of Academic Advising

Andy was raised in Muncie and considers himself a lifelong Cardinal. In addition to pursuing his Doctorate in Higher Education, Andy works in the Miller College of Business as the Assistant Dean of Student Outcomes. His mission in life is to help support student success. Andy is supported by his wife Emily, his daughters, Hattie and Maisie, and his dog, Wilbur.

 

Finalist 5: Summer Davis, Biology, M.S.

Identifying potential anti-fungal targets to battle invasive candidiasis

Summer is in her first year of her Master’s of Biology program, studying the fungal pathogen Candida auris. Summer will be presenting her research at the Indiana Academy of Sciences meeting and the Rustbelt RNA meeting later this year. After graduation, she hopes to pursue her PhD in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology.

 

 

Finalist 6: Haifa Hanzala, Counseling, Ph.D.

Turning Toward the Lemons: Affective Attending and Neural Pathways of Post-traumatic Healing

Haifa is from Karachi, Pakistan, and is currently a second-year Doctoral student in Counseling Psychology. Although she initially pursued writing as a career path, she soon discovered that she found deeper meaning in helping clients author their own life stories. After earning her PhD, she hopes to integrate clinical work, teaching, and scholarship to support healing and understanding.

 

Finalist 7: Shanta Paul, Biology, M.S.

HUNTING FOR “MODERN MIRACLES”: THE RACE TO FIGHT AGAINST ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANT BACTERIA

Shanta Paul is from Bangladesh, a small country in South Asia. She graduated with a degree in Microbiology from the University of Chittagong, Bangladesh. Shanta’s passion for researching bacteria and understanding antibiotic resistance mechanisms inspired her to pursue this path. Shanta came to Ball State University in the fall of 2025 as a master’s student working in Dr. John McKillip’s lab. In his lab, she is searching for novel metabolites, like antibiotics that can kill resistant bacteria. Moving forward, Shanta aspires to earn a higher degree focusing on bacterial resistance and related topics. Participating in this competition has helped her find her voice and develop public speaking skills. Shanta looks forward to more opportunities and competitions like this in the future. 

 

 

Finalist 8: Hayden Adams, Communication, M.S.

Reconceptualizing masculinity in relation to cisness and transness: An ideological criticism of @stazzyfit

Hayden is finishing his Master of Arts in Communication Studies with a concentration in Organizational and Professional Communication Development. In addition to the 3 Minute Thesis, he will present his research at the annual Eastern Communication Association Convention this April. After graduation, he hopes to continue working with patient organizations to provide instruction on public speaking and patient advocacy within healthcare.

 

Finalist 9: Alena Miskinis, Kinesiology, M.S.

Exploring the effects of rest breaks among pianists in the practice room

 

Finalist 10: Hyungseok Jang, Media, M.S.

Almost Human, Not Quite: Exploring Human Responses to Physical AI

Hyungseok Jang is from Seoul, South Korea. In addition to the 3 Minute Thesis competition, he will present his thesis at the Broadcast Education Association (BEA) Research Symposium this April. After graduation, Hyungseok wants to pursue a doctoral degree, where he will continue to study his research interests in human perception of AI.