The University Postgraduate Centre hosted its 8th Annual Postgraduate Symposium in WG308 on Friday 22 August, 2014. The Dean of Postgraduate Studies, Professor Marion Jones, opened the Symposium by inviting participants to attend postgraduate research presentations, before introducing the keynote speaker, Dr Mari Jones (pictured).
Following morning tea, the twenty minute presentations proceeded simultaneously in four different rooms. Our presenters provided a range of interesting topics to choose from. Some of us struggled with the challenge of choosing between two presentations of interest that occurred at the same time. It was fascinating to discover the presenters’ area of study and have the opportunity to find out more about their research.
Lunch was set up in the foyer area, which featured display panels with posters designed and delivered by postgraduate students from Health & Environmental Sciences presenting on their research. Participants were encouraged to vote for the ‘best poster’ presentation, which was awarded to Kristine Sotelo from the School of Applied Science. Kristine is enrolled in the Master of Applied Science (Food Science) and is conducting her research on ‘The Effect of Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) processing on the flavour profile and microbiological quality of sweet cherry chunks in solution during storage.’ Our 1st runner up was Gwen Erlam, also from Health & Environmental Sciences. Well done to all the poster presenters who provided a creative and scientific representation of their research.
The event concluded with the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. Eight doctoral and Master of Philosophy students were selected to go through to the finals after participating in preheats prior to the event. The 3MT was chaired by Professor Mark Orams and a judging panel of representatives, including Dr Jennie Billot (University Postgraduate Centre),
Enrico Tronchin (AUT Enterprises Ltd), Dr Mari Jones (Symposium keynote speaker), Dr Pedro Silva (Student Learning Centre) and Don Amila Samarasinghe (2013 AUT 3MT runner up).The finalists represented a wide area of disciplines, including sport and recreation, health, and social sciences, and gave the audience a short yet simple synopsis of their research within three minutes.
Congratulations to 2014 3MT winner Stephanie-Ann Croft (pictured), who is currently completing her Master of Philosophy from the School of Engineering. Stephanie won both the 3MT competition and the Audience Favourite Award with her slide, ‘Painting bacteria to death.’
2014 3MT Competition Runners up
- Bronwyn Tunnage (Health and Environmental Sciences – ‘Paramedic response to acute stroke.’)
- Sarah van Rooyen (Health and Environmental Sciences – ‘The relationship between mental toughness and wellbeing.’)
A huge thank you to all the 3MT contestants – Scott Brown, Stephanie-Anne Croft, Joe Ding, Qi Guo, Smita Keshoor, Sarah van Rooyen, Nicola Saywell and Bronwyn Tunnage.
The 3MT Trans-Tasman Finals
Stephanie now has the opportunity to participate in the Trans-Tasman 3MT competition which will be held at the University of Western Sydney, Australia on 3 November, 2014.
Thank you to the event sponsors
- AUT Enterprises Ltd (AUTEL)
- AUT Printsprint
- AuSM
- AUT Fitness Centres
- AUT ICT
- Cyclone Computers
- AUT University Shop
- Centre for Learning and Teaching
To view photos of the 8th Annual Postgraduate Symposium click here.
