MSc student wins TMU 3MT® Competition

“Diarrhea. For some of us, it comes as the result of enjoying a really greasy burrito, but for others, it’s actually a matter of life or death”, said Molecular Science MSc student Jocelyne Mendez-Guzman to open her winning 3MT® presentation, “Hijackers in My Gut? It's More Likely than You Think." (external link) 

The annual university-wide competition invites graduate students to present their research in three minutes or less to a panel of non-specialist judges. On March 28, graduate students, faculty, staff and TMU community members gathered in POD-250 to watch contestants compete for cash prizes and the opportunity to represent the university at the Ontario 3MT® in May. Judging this year’s competition was Anita M. Abraham, director, Experiential Learning, Office of the Vice-Provost, Academic, Dr. Kiaras Gharabaghi, dean, Faculty of Community Services and Dr. Jennifer Simpson, special advisor to the President, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Decolonization.

With a memorable opener, there was no question that Mendez-Guzman had the room’s attention from the outset. Equally effective was her concise and powerful delivery of her research topic, which engaged audience members on how enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) infection, a rogue E. coli strain, is negatively impacting women and children in developing nations. "EPEC uses a syringe to poke holes in our intestinal cells, introducing a cocktail of proteins causing EPEC to grow, spread and thrive".

Without treatment for EPEC, mothers in developing nations are likely to experience their child’s first year of life inside a hospital room. “What if that infection doesn’t pass? And what if we could hijack the hijackers?” asked Mendez-Guzman. “Our lab is working to figure out how we can have a fighting chance against EPEC infection.”

Creating visibility of Latinx in science

“As a first-generation Latina in STEM, I see fewer people who look like me the farther I climb the academic ladder. Winning the 3MT® competition represents a win for all Latinos, which I hope can assure them that there's plenty of room for us in the scientific community,” remarked Mendez-Guzman. 

Continuing the conversation at the Ontario 3MT®

“I've always been interested in infection and disease. Scientific research is not easy. It comes with a lot of failures, setbacks and redirection. These past two years, my research has helped me become more tenacious, resilient and optimistic—which definitely fuelled the passion in my 3MT® presentation. I'm pumped to compete at the Ontario 3MT® Competition! I hope to continue making scientific research digestible and accessible and proudly represent TMU!”

Learn more about the TMU Three-Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition

The Toronto Metropolitan University 3MT® (Three-Minute Thesis) is an annual, university-wide competition for graduate students where participants communicate their scholarly research and creativity in three minutes or less to a panel of non-specialist judges. The challenge is to present complex research in an engaging, accessible and compelling way, using only one static slide.