More than 40 Colorado State University graduate students are taking on the task of presenting their research in three minutes or less as they compete in the Vice President for Research Graduate Fellowship Three-Minute Challenge.

The competitors are chosen from the Graduate Student Showcase, held in November. They will have only three minutes to discuss their research and scholarly projects for a panel of six judges.

The third annual competition will be held Feb. 12 from 1-4 p.m. in the Lory Student Center Longs Peak room. Presentations will represent seven colleges and 23 disciplines including psychology, microbiology, chemistry, computer sciences, chemical and biological engineering and more. This event is open to the public.

Winners become VPR fellows

Out of the 40 competitors, 12-15 will be invited to become the next VPR Fellowship cohort. Fellows will be eligible for up to $4,000 in scholarship and travel support as well as opportunities to participate in professional development workshops, mentorship, engagement opportunities and leadership over the 2018-19 academic year.

The initiative was created by the Office of the Vice President for Research in support of excellence in graduate research and scholarly works and to promote cross-college and cross-department collaborations.

“This program highlights the amazing work our students perform as part of their graduate education at CSU. Seeing the diversity of activity happening across our institution, presented in the context of the Three Minute Challenge, is a spectacular experience for both the students and the audience,” said Ellen Fisher, senior faculty advisor for the Office of the Vice President for Research.

Inspired by an international competition called the Three Minute Thesis, the Three-Minute Challenge asks graduate students to explain their research to the public with the use of only one static PowerPoint slide. The judging panel will consist of a diverse array of community, industry, university administration and faculty leaders.