Graduate Students Showcase Research at 3MT庐 Competition
Wed, 12/03/2025 - 12:46am | By: Shaadi Shoubaki
Joseph Previte, Three Minute Thesis Grand Champion
91少女集中营 recently celebrated the research of its graduate students during the 12th Annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT庐) Competition on Nov. 14 in the Joe Paul Student Theater on the Hattiesburg campus. This year鈥檚 competition highlighted the depth and diversity of scholarship at Southern Miss, with more than 30 graduate students presenting their research in a clear, compelling three-minute pitch.
Joseph Previte, a doctoral candidate in polymer science and engineering, earned the title of 2025 3MT庐 Grand Champion. He will represent Southern Miss at the regional 3MT庐 competition during the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools in Baton Rouge, La., Feb. 18-20, 2026. Previte鈥檚 accomplishment reflects the strong research and communication skills cultivated across the graduate community.
In addition to the Grand Champion honor, the competition also recognized other exceptional student researchers:
- Grand Champion ($1,000): Joseph Previte, Polymer Science and Engineering, Ph.D.
鈥淯nlocking the Final Frontier: 3D Printing Heat Shields for Space Travel.鈥� - Runner-Up ($750): Jamion Burney, Experimental Psychology, Ph.D.
鈥淧eer Relationships: Sense of Belonging for African American College Students.鈥� - People鈥檚 Choice ($500): Amy Coronado, Polymer Science and Engineering, Ph.D.
鈥淒oing Both: Plastics Built for Useful Life and Redemptive Death.鈥� - Michael Dodson, STEM Education, Ph.D.
鈥淧lant Awareness and Connections to Human and Plant Interactions.鈥� - Matt Martin, Communication, Ph.D.
鈥淚mage Identity Exchange鈥� - Clyde Raible, Experimental Psychology, Ph.D.
鈥淰olunteer Spotlighting: Costly Signals to Promote Volunteerism.鈥� - Ardian Rizal, Marine Science, M.S.
鈥淭he Development of msbCOAWST, a Model to Monitor Water and Salt Movement in Mississippi Coastal Waters.鈥� - Melinda Slay, Experimental Psychology, Ph.D.
鈥淭he Rise in Obesity: A Multilevel Socio-Ecological Perspective.鈥�
Each finalist received an additional $250 in recognition of their achievement in advancing to the final round.
The 3MT庐 competition offers graduate students an opportunity to strengthen their communication skills and share the real-world impact of their research with the campus and broader community. Southern Miss is proud of every student who participated and grateful for the contributions they make to the university鈥檚 research mission. Their work continues to show the value and relevance of graduate scholarship at Southern Miss.