Prince Minkah Wins First Place in 3 Minute Thesis Competition
Congratulations Molecular Pharmaceutics PhD student Prince Minkah for winning the top prize at the University of Utah’s 3MT Competition and Celebration Event. Prince received a cash prize; and will advance to represent the University of Utah at the regional 2026 WAGS 3MT Competition.
Prince’s research, “Outsmarting Cancer: Making Tumors Take the Bait,” aims to develop and preclinically evaluate new anti-tumor therapeutics based on hyaluronic acid and organoselenium. As a platform approach to increase treatment sensitivity and prevent cancer recurrence, Prince seeks to characterize and evaluate these compounds with a long-term goal of improving outcomes for cancer patients.
Prince shared, "I’m truly honored to receive this year’s 3MT Award. Participating in the 3MT has been an incredible experience; one that challenged me to think deeply about why my research matters and how to share it in a way that connects with everyone, not just scientists. As researchers, we often get lost in the details of experiments, data, and terminology. This competition reminded me that the heart of science is communication —turning complex ideas into stories that inspire hope and understanding. I’m deeply grateful to my mentors (Drs. Abby Pulsipher and Taylor Sparks), Angela Darko (the second-place winner), lab members, and the Graduate Gchool for their constant guidance and support. To my fellow competitors, your stories and ideas were amazing, and I’m proud to stand among such talented scholars. Winning this award isn’t just about me —it’s a celebration of curiosity, perseverance, and the belief that what we discover in the lab can truly change lives".
The 3MT (Three Minute Thesis) program is designed to help students develop the communication skills necessary to make a compelling oral presentation on the value and impact of their research to a non-specialist audience. As a research communication competition, the goal of 3MT is for students to articulate the significance of their research without using: Jargon, Field-specific terminology, or other language unfamiliar to those outside their fields of study. 3MT training helps students hone their ability to quickly and effectively articulate the value of their research.
Congratulations Prince!
