University of Michigan Scholar Earns Third Place in 5th Annual 3MT Thesis Competition

The University of Michigan was proudly represented at the 5th Annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition between the University of Michigan and the University of Minnesota, held on May 13, 2026.

Originating at The University of Queensland, the 3MT competition has grown into a global academic initiative hosted by more than 900 universities across over 85 countries. The competition challenges participants to present complex research to a non-specialist audience in three minutes or less using only a single static slide.

This year’s event featured pre-doctoral and postdoctoral scholars supported through T32 training programs, along with early-career investigators supported through K12 awards. Each participant delivered a three-minute research presentation followed by a two-minute question-and-answer session with judges.

Representing the University of Michigan was Dr. Mikel Gurrea Rubio, who is currently in the first year of his K12 award (K12TR004374). Mentored by Dr. David Fox, Dr. Gurrea Rubio presented his research titled “Immunotherapy of Cancer with UMCD6.” His presentation focused on innovative approaches to cancer immunotherapy and highlighted the potential impact of UMCD6 as a promising therapeutic strategy in the fight against cancer. By translating highly technical scientific concepts into a clear and engaging presentation, Dr. Gurrea Rubio demonstrated both the significance of his research and the importance of effective communication in advancing biomedical science.

Dr. Gurrea Rubio earned third place in the competition, securing a podium finish for the University of Michigan. His achievement reflects not only the strength of his scientific work, but also his ability to communicate complex research to a broad audience in an accessible and compelling way.

I was honored to receive third place and secure a place on the podium for the University of Michigan, said Dr. Gurrea Rubio.

Presentations were evaluated on several criteria, including background and significance of the research, innovation of the work, presentation of results and findings, and clarity in communicating conclusions, outcomes, and overall impact.

The competition highlights the importance of effective science communication and provides scholars with an opportunity to translate complex research into engaging, accessible presentations for broader audiences. Dr. Gurrea Rubio’s success at the competition underscores the growing impact of emerging physician-scientists and the critical role of mentorship and collaborative research training in fostering the next generation of scientific leaders.

We congratulate Dr. Gurrea Rubio on this outstanding achievement and his continued contributions to advancing cancer research and scientific communication!