Abul Borkot Md Rafiqul Hasan, a PhD student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, took the top prize in the “Three-Minute Thesis,” by explaining his research to a general audience in just three minutes and using only one static Powerpoint tile.
The participants covered a wide array of topics from metal that fix themselves to how a cancer suppression drug can aid in bone healing. Hasan explained the science of wicking and how it is used to move fuel without gravity, keeping spacecraft functioning. His advisor is Professor Krishna Pillai.
The event, which challenges upcoming engineers and scientists to be experienced science communicators, returned to UWM as part of the college’s Research Poster Competition & Experiential Learning Expo held April 26. It was sponsored by the family of the late Michael Krauski, who founded the college’s research poster competition.
Six contenders were culled from a field of 21, thanks to the preliminary judges, Ilya Avdeev, professor, mechanical engineering; Qingsu Cheng, assistant professor, biomedical engineering; and Jennifer Gutzman, associate professor, biological sciences. Priya Premnath, assistant professor of biomedical engineering, served as coach.
The five other finalists were:
- Rawan Aqel, civil & environmental engineering. Advisor: Rani El Hajjar
- Masum Bellah, mechanical engineering. Advisor: Professor Michael Nosonovsky
- Sina Jafari, biomedical engineering. Advisor: Assistant Professor Priya Premnath
- Areej Khalil, mechanical engineering. Advisor: Professor Ryo Amano
- Omar Shaker, mechanical engineering. Advisor: Professor Ryo Amano