Three Minute Thesis Competion 2009 Finalists - UQ Graduate School, The University of Queensland

This year 230 PhD and MPhil candidates representing seven Faculties and the combined Research Institutes at UQ competed in the Three Minute Thesis competition.

Competitors ranged in age from 22 to 65, with an even gender balance and strong participation from our international candidates (a third of all competitors). Congratulations and thanks to all competitors, supporters and colleagues.

On Tuesday 27 October, our winner (Richard Ronay), runner-up (David MacDonald) and people's choice winner (Emma Gagen) were interviewed by Steve Austin on ABC Radio's statewide evenings program. Download and listen to the podcast here. (8.7MB mp3 file: Courtesy of ABC Radio)

The eight finalists' slides in order of their appearance at the final are below.

	Mr Michael Champion Optimal drill pattern sequencing for multi boom jumbos Michael is a PhD candidate in the School of Mining & Mechanical Engineering (Faculty of Engineering, Architecture & Information Technology)

Mr Stuart Davidson IL23R genetic variation, TH17 cells and ankylosing spondylitis or "A recipe for disease" Stuart is a PhD candidate in the UQ Diamantina Institute for Cancer, Immunology and Metabolic Medicine

	Mr Chao Feng Superfluids, Friction and Ultracold Atoms Chao is a PhD candidate in the School of Mathematics and Physics (Faculty of Science)

Ms Emma Gagen (People's Choice winner) Alternative hydrogen and carbon sequestration pathways in the rumen, for reducing methanogenesis Emma is a PhD candidate in the School of Animal Studies (Faculty of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Science)

	Mr Andrew Hodge Epistemology, Empiricism & Search for Happiness: A Philosophical Inquiry in the Foundations of Happiness in Economic Theory or "The Economics of Happiness" Andrew is a PhD candidate in the School of Economics (Faculty of Business, Economics & Law)

Mr David MacDonald (Runner-up) The morphology and behaviour of the lumbar paraspinal muscles in chronic low back pain or "Why do some people keep hurting their back?" David is a PhD candidate in the School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences (Faculty of Health Sciences)

	Mr Richard Ronay (Winner) Executive functioning and risk-taking in young adult males or "Trivial Pursuit: Graduate Edition" Richard is a PhD candidate in the School of Psychology (Faculty of Social & Behavioural Sciences)

Mr Avan Stallard The search for the inland sea or "Antipodes to Terra Australis" Avan is a PhD candidate in the School of History, Philosophy, Religion & Classics (Faculty of Arts)