“Your research matters–share it!”

Those words were proclaimed on banners and screens at the 9^th annual Shaheen 3MT Finals Competition, held February 26 in the Jordan Hall of Science auditorium.

Mary Ann McDowell, Ph.D., associate dean for professional development and professor of biological sciences, welcomed finalists, judges, and members of the audience and explained the importance of the event.

“All researchers must be able to share their research question and their research results with a diverse audience in a succinct, accessible, and enthusiastic manner,” she said. "Seize this opportunity, especially in light of the current political uncertainty surrounding the role of science, to highlight what you're doing and why it's significant."

Vice President for Research and Professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Jeffrey Rhoads was emcee of the evening. Speaking next, he urged all present to celebrate research and its importance to society.

And, then, from an initial field in earlier qualifying rounds of 24 competitors, nine graduate-student finalists embraced the 3MT challenge begun at the University of Queensland in 2008 and now practiced worldwide: In a “lightning-talk” format, distill your research into a concise three-minute presentation to a non-specialist audience using the support of just one visual slide.

After all contestants completed the challenge, the judges announced two winners, and the audience chose a third:

Isaac Angera, Biochemistry

“Spiky Molecular ‘Hats’ for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease”
Adviser: Juan Del Valle, Ph.D.
1st Place Winner: $2,500

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) are among the world’s most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders; yet, a lack of relevant disease models and effective therapeutics have resulted in limited clinical success in slowing their progression once detected.

To tackle this problem, fourth-year graduate student Isaac Angera chemically synthesized miniature versions of a protein called tau that is associated with the progression of AD and CTE. He then used “mini-tau” compounds in a controlled setting to study the processes that drive neurodegenerative disorders. Angera’s findings: the introduction of a molecular spike onto the mini-tau turns the compound into a “spiky molecular hat” that serves as an inhibitor of the pathological spread of tau aggregates. In a cellular model, these inhibitors have proven effective in halting the spread of tau extracted from the brain of postmortem patients diagnosed with AD. Several other biochemical experiments and electron microscopy have corroborated these results, indicating that these compounds may be a potent inhibitor of the spread of pathological tau.

As these studies shed light on the key protein misfolding events involved with disease progression, the hope is that the medical community could, one day, use these specially designed molecules to block those events.

Hirudini Fernando, Chemistry

“Drug Trash to Treasure”
Adviser: Marya Lieberman, Ph.D.
2^nd Place Winner: $2,000

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the year 2021, the annual number of drug-related overdose deaths in the United States exceeded 100,000 for the first time in history. One of the many barriers to dealing with this crisis is the limited information about the substances present in communities’ illicit drug supply, especially those linked to overdoses and fatalities. A frequent stopping point in this effort is obtaining samples of the street drugs responsible for the overdoses and deaths.

To address this problem, third-year graduate student Hirudini Fernando developed a novel drug extraction process from used fentanyl test strips (FTS) or what she calls “drug trash,” acquired through partnerships with local harm-reduction organizations. Fernando uses a sensitive liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis on the strips to identify 22 common drugs that are most likely to cause an overdose. In one case study in Ohio, her method showed the presence of potent drugs like carfentanil and medetomidin (a veterinary anesthetic drug) in the region.

The goal, Fernando says, is to relay information from the samples to public health officials and policymakers, allowing them to track emerging drugs and trends in the drug market and guide them in responding to the crisis—with the hope of preventing further overdoses.

Yunyan Zhao, Psychology

"Together Under Storm: The Umbrella Effect of Sibling Bonds"
Adviser: Jenny Padilla, Ph.D.
People’s Choice Winner: $1,500

Every marriage has conflict. But for teens, parental conflict can feel like being caught in a downpour—stressful, overwhelming, and inescapable. This can increase their risk of depression; however, one powerful umbrella is often overlooked: siblings.

Over 80% of people grow up with siblings. They may argue and get on each other’s nerves, but they also share a family—and in tough times, they show up for each other.

Third-year graduate student Yunyan Zhao and her colleagues studied 246 Mexican-origin families in Phoenix, Arizona, to see how sibling closeness impacts teen mental health during parental conflict. They found that strong sibling bonds act as protectors–essentially, an “umbrella in the rain.” In high-conflict households, all teens experienced heightened depressive symptoms, like being drenched in a storm. However, in families with moderate conflict—where many fall—those with close sibling relationships had much lower depressive symptoms than those without.

Zhao advises thinking of it in this way: The rain doesn’t stop, but a strong sibling bond is like sharing an umbrella. With support, teens stay drier, warmer, and more resilient.

And, she says, while family programs often overlook the existence and power of sibling bonds, it is by fostering these connections that society can help teens better weather family challenges.

Additional Finalists

Other finalists at the challenge: Sanchita Chakraborty (Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics); Emiliano Gomez (English, MFA); Demetrius Hernandez (Computer Science and Engineering); Jonathan Karr Jr. (Computer Science and Engineering); Dalia Mota (Sociology); and Hannah Spero (Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Science).

Judges were:

• Michael Hildreth, Ph.D.
  Dean of the Graduate School; Associate Provost and Vice President for Graduate Studies; and Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy
• Denise Bruesewitz, Ph.D.
  Provost Elect and Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, Colby College
• Holly Goodson, Ph.D.
  Professor and Associate Chair, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Science Director, Glynn Family Honors Program
• Margaret Meserve, Ph.D.
  Vice President and Associate Provost for Academic Space and Support, Interim Edward H. Arnold Dean of Hesburgh Libraries and University of Notre Dame Press, and Professor of History
• Dave Wood
  Mayor of Mishawaka

The event was organized by the Graduate School, with support by the Shaheen Family, in partnership with the Meruelo Family Center for Career Development. Co-sponsors were the Colleges of Arts and Letters, Engineering, and Science; Graduate Career Services; Graduate Student Government; Graduate Student Life; Hesburgh Libraries; Notre Dame Research; University Relations; and the University Writing Center.

By winning the campus competition, Angera advanced to compete at the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) competition in Indianapolis on April 4. Five semifinal rounds showcasing 45 strong competitors—all winners from their respective campuses throughout the midwest—led to a final contest of 10 presenters. Angera had just 10 quick minutes to prepare for the finals once his name was announced. Despite enduring an early microphone issue, he delivered a flawless presentation in the final round. While all 10 finalists had well-honed presentations, Angera claimed first place, a cash prize, and the opportunity to compete at the national competition in December at the Council of Graduate Schools Annual Meeting in Washington, DC.

Originally published by Mary Hendriksen at graduateschool.nd.edu on April 08, 2025.