Past 3MT Competitions

Judging Panel

Danyelle Ackall – Instructor, Department of Management and Leadership, Neeley School of Business, TCU
Holly Ellman – Associate Director, Marketing & Communication, TCU
Scotty Jones –Attorney at Law, Dunham & Jones Attorneys at Law P.C., Fort Worth

1^st Prize – $2,000

Peyton Harper – 2nd year MS Environmental & Sustainability Sciences student, Research Advisor: Dr. Tory Bennett

"Flight for Survival: Ensuring Water Access for Bats "

Runner up – $1,000

Stephanie Villaire – 3rd year Ph.D. Experimental Psychology student, Research advisor: Dr. Kevin Knight

"Making Research Accessible: The Online Prevention Education Now Program "

People’s Choice – $750

Peyton Harper – 2nd year MS Environmental & Sustainability Sciences student, Research Advisor: Dr. Tory Bennett

"Flight for Survival: Ensuring Water Access for Bats"

Other Finalists

Chase Chavez – 2nd year MS Geology student, "Geologic Evolution of the Powder River Basin in Wyoming 100 Million Years Ago"
 Jessica Suárez– 1st year Ph.D. Experimental Psychology student, "Opioid receptors modulate suppression in successive consummatory negative contrast "

Judging Panel

Nancy Lohman – Realtor, Williams Trew Real Estate
Melissa Schroeder – Chair of Communication Studies and Associate Professor, TCU
Ray Smilor – Emeritus Professor, Neeley School of Business, TCU

1^st Prize – $1,500

Chrissy Baker – 1st year MS Biology student, Research advisor: Dr. Mikaela Stewart

"The Friendship Bracelet that Prevents Breast Cancer "

Runner up – $750

Matthew Espinosa – 3rd year Ph.D. Experimental Psychology student, Research advisor: Dr. Sarah Hill

"Tuned in: Women’s Health Decision Aid Use Improves Birth Control Related Attitudes"

People’s Choice – $500

Alina Valimukhametova – 4th year Ph.D. Biophysics student, Research advisor: Dr. Anton Naumov

"The Science of “Silence”: Sweet and Shiny Gene Delivery "

Other Finalists

Benite Ishimwe – 2rd year MS Geology student, "The Freshwater Killer: Modeling the Historical and Present Water Quality of Lakes using Remote Sensing "
Ugur Topkiran – 1st year Ph.D. Physics student, "Don’t Risk Lives while Curing Cancer "
Thomas Sease – 3rd year Ph.D. Experimental Psychology student, "Understanding Criminal Thinking Patterns "

Judging Panel

Michelle Clark - Associate Vice Chancellor, Advancement Strategy and Administration, TCU
Stacy Grau - Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Practice, TCU; Director of TCU IdeaFactory
Laura Meyn - Manager of Editorial Services, TCU Magazine

1^st Prize – $1,500

Emma Kitchner – Physics & Astronomy, Research Advisor: Dr. Karol Gryczynski
“DNA Detection: Ensuring a Positive Test”

Runner up – $750

Maverick Tamayo – Biology, Research Advisors: Dr. John Horner and Dr. Peter Fritsch (BRIT)
“Taxonomic Re-evaluation of the Tropical Blueberry (Vaccinium L., Ericaceae) of Palawan and Mindanao Islands, Philippines”

People’s Choice – $500

Emma Kitchner – Physics & Astronomy, Research Advisor: Dr. Karol Gryczynski
“DNA Detection: Ensuring a Positive Test”

Other Finalists

Andrew Todd – Biology – “Small Spiders and a Big Mercury Problem”
Katja Cunningham – Psychology – “Childhood adversity dysregulates immune function”
Eliandreina Cruz Barros – Chemistry & Biochemistry “Oil Recovery Mission: The Labyrinth Saga”
Sachi Weerasooriya – Physics & Astronomy – “Hunting Galaxies with Centaurus A”

Judging panel

Nick Bontrager - College of Fine Arts
Rodney D'Souza - Institute of Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Molly Weinburgh - Andrews Institute of Mathematics & Science Education

1st Prize – $1,500

Magy Mekhail – Chemistry & Biochemistry, Research Advisor: Dr. Kayla Green
"Counterattack on Cancer using Copper Dependency"

Runner up – $750

Bong Lee – Physics & Astronomy, Research Advisor: Dr. Anton Naumov
"Editing Cancer Out"

People’s Choice – $500

Andrea Guedez – Chemistry & Biochemistry, Research Advisor: Dr. Youngha Ryu
"Using Biological Switches for Diagnosis"

Other Finalists

Alina Valimukhametova - Physics & Astronomy – “Cancer Busters: Cancer Will Be Detected!”
Holly Gould –Environmental Sciences – “Modeling the Usefulness of Green Infrastructure in Urban Watershed”
Katja Cunningham – Psychology – “(M)environmental Science: The Impact of Testosterone and Environment on Perceptions of Men”
Aurore Manzi – Geological Sciences – “The Silver Bullet: Understanding Earth’s Mineral Organic Interaction”
Mary Tucker – Biology – “Thermal Ecology of Texas Horned Lizards in Small Texas Towns”
Matthew Espinosa – Psychology – “You are What You (are Willing to) Eat: Willingness to Try New Foods Impacts Perceptions of Sexual Unrestrictedness and Desirability”
Sachi Weerasooriya – Physics & Astronomy – “Star Wells: Rise of Satellites”

Judging panel

Michelle Clark
Associate Vice Chancellor
Advancement Strategy and Administration, TCU
George Grau
General Manager Operations – US, Gibson Energy
Melissa Young Schroeder, Chair of Communication Studies and Associate Professor
Bob Schieffer College of Communication, TCU

1st Prize – $1,000

Elizabeth Campbell – Physics & Astronomy, Research Advisor: Dr. Anton Naumov
“Perfecting Our Aim for Cancer Treatment“

Runner up – $750

Christine Hurd – Biology, Research Advisor: Dr. Mikaela Stewart
“Predicting Cancer Risk from BRCA1’s Biochemistry“

People’s Choice – $500

Elizabeth Campbell – Physics & Astronomy, Research Advisor: Dr. Anton Naumov
“Perfecting Our Aim for Cancer Treatment“

Other Finalists

Michaela Donahoo – Geology (MS track) – “Dirt: Saving Us from Ourselves”
Magy Mekhail – Chemistry (Ph.D. track) – “Capturing Metals for Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention”
Karis Kang – Biology (MS track) – “The Effects of Pollen Abundance on Seed Production in the Pale Pitcher Plant”
Robert Arrowood – Psychology (Ph.D. track) – “Aliens, Meaning, and the Cross: How Need for Meaning Promotes Conspiracy Belief in Light of Religious Doubts”

Additional preliminary rounds competitors:

Debora Beeri – Chemistry & Biochemistry
Kristin DeBone – Geology
Arshad Mehmood – Chemistry & Biochemistry
Summer Mengelkoch – Psychology
Amy Ray – Astrophysics
Luca Ceresa – Biophysics
Sachi Weerasoriya – Astrophysics

The preliminary rounds of the competition were judged by a group of TCU Faculty/Staff:

Antonio Banos, Assistant Director, Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Neeley School of Business, TCU
Todd Boling, Associate Chaplain, Student Affairs, TCU
Mia Bovill, Assistant Professor, Department of Physics & Astronomy
College of Science & Engineering, TCU
Gabriela Pineider, Career Consultant
Center for Career and Professional Development
College of Science & Engineering, TCU
Tracy Rockett, Professor of Professional Practice, Management, Entrepreneurship and Leadership
Neeley School of Business, TCU
Andrea Stafford, Marketing Coordinator
College of Science & Engineering, TCU

Judging panel

Michael Bernas, MS
Associate Professor of Medical Education, Director, Scholarly Pursuits & Thesis
TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine
Katherine Fogelberg, DVM, PhD
Associate Professor, Biostatistics & Epidemiology
UNTHSC
Founder, Msomi Academy for Girls
Claretta Kimp, TCU parent of Carson and Cannan Huey-You

1st Prize – $1,000

Brynn Huzzen – Environmental Science, Research Advisor: Drs. Tory Bennett and Amanda Hale
“Making Green Energy Green Again“

Runner up – $750

Elizabeth Campbell – Physics & Astronomy, Research Advisor: Dr. Anton Naumov
“A New Light for Cancer Detection“

People’s Choice – $500

Elizabeth Campbell – Physics & Astronomy, Research Advisor: Dr. Anton Naumov
“A New Light for Cancer Detection“

Other Finalists

Robert Arrowood – Psychology, Research Advisor: Dr. Cathy Cox
“‘And They Shall Take Up Serpents’ Against the Fear of Death”
John Donor – Physics & Astronomy, Research Advisor: Dr. Peter Frinchaboy
“Probing the Evolution of the Milky Way with Star Clusters”
Katie Smith – Environmental Science, Research Advisor: Dr. Tory Bennett
“Assessing the Effect of Radio-Transmitters on Bat Flight and Behavior”
Tom Stevens – Biology, Research Advisor: Drs. Amanda Hale and Dean Williams
“Conserving Biodiversity in the Largest Inland Metropolitan Area in the United States”
Julie Swets – Psychology, Research Advisor: Dr. Cathy Cox
“It Kills Me that You’re Not Here“

Additional preliminary rounds competitors:

Arielle Cenin – Psychology
Michaela Donahoo – Geology
Bong Lee – Physics & Astronomy
Fazle Rabby – Mathematics
Amy Ray – Physics & Astronomy

The preliminary rounds of the competition were judged by a group of TCU Faculty/Staff:

Dr. Nick Bontrager, Associate Professor, School of Fine Art, College of Fine Arts
Dr. Mia Bovill, Assistant Professor, Department of Physics & Astronomy, CSE
Dr. Kayla Green, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, CSE
Brad Hancock, M.B.A., Associate Director, Neeley Entrepreneurship Center, Neeley School of Business
Dr. Clark Jones, Instructor II, Department Biology, CSE
Dr. Jada Stevenson, Assistant Professor, Department of Nutritional Sciences, CSE.

CSE Placements in TCU 3MT Final Spring 2019

People’s Choice

Elizabeth Campbell – Physics & Astronomy, Research Advisor: Dr. Anton Naumov
“A New Light for Cancer Detection”

The Fall 2017 CSE 3MT competition consisted of a number of preliminary round followed by the final competition which was held at the Research and Learning Center at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History.

Judging panel:

Judy Bernas, Associate Dean and Chief Communications and Strategy Officer, TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine
Valerie DeSantis, Assistant Dean for Development, College of Science & Engineering, TCU
Bo Söderbergh, Director, Tarrant Area Food Bank

1st Prize – $1,000

Rachel Alenius – Biology, Research Advisor: Dr. Dean Williams
“When Specialists Generalize: Modified Diets of Texas Horned Lizards in Urban Areas“

Runner up – $750

Summer Mengelkoch – Psychology, Research Advisor: Dr. Sarah Hill
“Does a Pretty Face Lead to Healthier Dates? The Relationship Between Attractiveness and Health“

People’s Choice – $500

Rachel Alenius – Biology, Research Advisor: Dr. Dean Williams
“When Specialists Generalize: Modified Diets of Texas Horned Lizards in Urban Areas“

Other Finalists

Zhangatay Nurekeyev – Physics & Astronomy, Research Advisor: Dr. Karol Gryczynski
“Simple, yet Unsolved: Cystic Fibrosis”
Madison Peppers – School of Geology, Energy & the Environment, Research Advisor: Becky Richards
“Remediating Soil Impacted by Mining”
Elizabeth Sizemore – Physics & Astronomy, Research Advisor: Dr. Anton Naumov
“Graphene Oxide: Red Flag Cancer Detection”
Spencer Weinstein – Biology, Research Advisor: Dr. Matt Hale
“Oh the Places You’ll Go: Conserving Migratory Trout Populations“

Additional preliminary rounds competitors:

Luis Aguirre – Mathematics
Jimmy Greene – School of Geology, Energy & the Environment
Jacob Malmquist – Biology
Hope Murphy – Physics & Astronomy

The preliminary rounds of the competition were judged by a group of TCU Faculty/Staff:

Brad Hancock, M.B.A., Associate Director, Neeley Entrepreneurship Center, Neeley School of Business
Dr. Debi Iba, Instructor, Department of Communication Studies, Bob Schieffer College of Communication
Lin Nelson, Lecturer, Department of Marketing Neeley School of Business
Dr. Efton Park, Professor, Department of Mathematics, CSE.

CSE Placements in TCU 3MT Final Spring 2018

2nd Prize and People’s Choice

Summer Mengelkoch – Psychology, Research Advisor: Dr. Sarah Hill
“Does a Pretty Face Lead to Healthier Dates? The Relationship Between Attractiveness and Health”

The Fall 2016 CSE 3MT competition consisted of a number of preliminary round followed by the final competition which was held at the Research and Learning Center at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History.

Judging panel:

David Abbondanzio, Executive Director, The Study Center
Michelle Clark, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Marketing, (TCU)
Molly Weinburgh, William L. & Betty F. Adams Chair of Education, Director of the Andrews Institute of Mathematics & Science Education, (TCU)

1st Prize – $1,000

Cole Lindsey – Biology, Research Advisors: Dr. Tory Bennett and Dr. Amanda Hale
“Reducing Bat Fatalities Caused by Wind Turbines“

Runner up – $750

Burke Leonce – School of Geology, Energy & the Environment, Research Advisor: Dr. Omar Harvey
“When the Smoke Clears – How Clean is Your Water?“

People’s Choice – $500

Burke Leonce – School of Geology, Energy & the Environment, Research Advisor: Dr. Omar Harvey
“When the Smoke Clears – How Clean is Your Water?“

Other Finalists

Drew Ciampa – Physics & Astronomy, Research Advisor: Dr. Kat Barger
“Explosions in Space Send Massive Gas Cloud Toward the Milky Way”
Zhangatay Nurekeyev – Physics & Astronomy, Research Advisor: Dr. Karol Gryczynski
“Portable & Affordable Diagnostics”
Randi Proffitt Leyva – Psychology, Research Advisor: Dr. Sarah Hill
“To Eat or Not to Eat”
Amy Ray – Physics & Astronomy, Research Advisor: Dr. Peter Frinchaboy
“A Survey of Nearby M-Dwarf Stars“

Additional preliminary rounds competitor:

Irma Rodriguez – Physics & Astronomy

The preliminary rounds of the competition were judged by a group of TCU Faculty/Staff:

Dr. Kayla Green, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, CSE
Dr. Debi Iba, Instructor, Department of Communication Studies, Bob Schieffer College of Communication
Lin Nelson, Lecturer, Department of Marketing Neeley School of Business, Board of Directors, TECH Fort Worth Director
Dr. Efton Park, Professor, Department of Mathematics, CSE
Dr. Jada Stevenson, Assistant Professor, Department of Nutritional Sciences, CSE.

CSE Placements in TCU 3MT Final Spring 2017

1st Prize

Celeste Ortega-Rodriguez – Biology, Research Advisors: Dr. Matt Chumchal and Dr. Ray Drenner
“Mercury Contamination of Shoreline Spiders and the Risk They Pose to Arachnivorous Songbirds”

The Spring 2015 CSE 3MT competition consisted of a number of preliminary round followed by the final competition which was held at the 13th Annual Michael and Sally McCracken Student Research Symposium.

The final was judged by three members of the CSE External Advisory Board:

William (Bill) F. Bennett, Bioscope Associates LLC
Susan Schildt, Stratford Consulting LLC
Ray Smilor, Robert & Edith Schumacher Executive Faculty Fellow in Innovation &Technology, Neeley School of Business

1st Prize – $1,000

Joe Kimball – Physics & Astronomy, Research Advisor: Dr. Karol Gryczynski
“Finding Waldo easily for early detection of diseases“

Runner up – $750

Amy Hardy – Biology, Research Advisor: Dr. Michael Chumley
“Can the common cold set the stage for Alzheimer’s?“

People’s Choice – $500

Joe Kimball – Physics & Astronomy, Research Advisor: Dr. Karol Gryczynski
“Finding Waldo easily for early detection of diseases“

Other Finalists

Nelli Bodiford – Chemistry, Research Advisor: Dr. Jeff Coffer
“Implants For Bone Healing and Regeneration”
Kevin Claunch – Biology, Research Advisor: Dr. Shauna McGillivray
“Connection of ClpX and LrgAB to antibiotic resistance”
Leah Thornton – Biology, Research Advisor: Dr. Marlo Jeffries
“Timing is Everything: Are the effects of PBDE-47 different in adult and early life stage organisms?”
Jordon White – Psychology, Research Advisor: Dr. Gary Boehm
“How exercise modifies brain cells to clean out toxic proteins“

Additional preliminary rounds competitors:

Ivan Annicchiarico – Psychology; John Anthony – School of Geology, Energy & the Environment; Puskar Chapagain – Physics & Astronomy; Bailey Devine – Psychology; Hung Doan – Physics & Astronomy; Mirza Hasan – Chemistry; Michael Kersten – Psychology; Lubna Pinky – Physics & Astronomy; Marjorie Prokosch – Psychology; Thalia Rodriguez – Physics & Astronomy; Sebastian Requena – Physics & Astronomy; Binaya Tuladhar – Physics & Astronomy

The three preliminary rounds of the competition were judged by a group of TCU Faculty/Staff:

Dr. Kayla Green, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, CSE
Brad Hancock, M.B.A., Director, Neeley Entrepreneurship Center, Neeley School of Business
Dr. Debi Iba, Instructor, Department of Communication Studies, Bob Schieffer College of Communication
Dr. Efton Park, Professor, Department of Mathematics, CSE
Dr. Debbie Rhea, Professor and Associate Dean, Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences
Dr. Tristan Tayag, Professor, Department of Engineering, CSE
Rick Waters, Assistant Editor, TCU Magazine

CSE Placements in TCU 3MT Final Spring 2015

1st Prize and People’s Choice Award

Leah Thornton – Biology, Research Advisor: Dr. Marlo Jeffries
“Timing is Everything: Are the effects of PBDE-47 different in adult and early life stage organisms?“

2nd Prize

Kevin Claunch – Biology, Research Advisor: Dr. Shauna McGillivray
“Connection of ClpX and LrgAB to antibiotic resistance“