Competing on the clock: INL’s 3MT challenge returns for its third edition

On 25 March, INL hosted the third edition of its Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, once again challenging PhD candidates to demonstrate the power of concise scientific communication. Building on the success of previous editions, participants were tasked with distilling their entire thesis into a compelling three-minute presentation supported by a single slide.

The format is deliberately demanding. Faced with the complexity of cutting-edge research, candidates must learn not only to simplify, but to engage, translating years of specialised work into ideas that resonate with a broad audience.

This year, six early-stage researchers rose to the challenge, each taking to the stage to impress both a live audience and the jury, composed by Manuel Bañobre, Helena Macedo, and Dmitri Petrovykh. After an intense session of sharp ideas and accessible storytelling, three finalists emerged:

• Rosa Monteiro (Domingues Research Group) presented “3D writing of advanced multicellular tendon-on-chip models to unlock the (patho)physiological signatures of tendon tissues”
• Carla Teixeira (Pastrana Research Group) explored “Development of an integrated miniaturised device for the detection of allergenic ingredients and authenticity of olive oil”
• Victor Duarte (Rossier Research Group) examined “Quantum emitters and superradiance in two-dimensional materials”

The three finalists will go head-to-head at the INL Research Symposium on 16 April, a three-day internal event dedicated to fostering collaboration and scientific exchange across the institute. Through presentations, demonstrations, and open discussions, research groups will share their latest breakthroughs with peers.

The finale promises to be a fitting showcase: not just of scientific excellence, but of the rare ability to make it matter to everyone in the room.

Text by Clara Miranda

Photography by Rui Andrade