The month of April marked Boise State University’s second annual Research Month – a time to celebrate the diverse and rich array of research happening on campus. As part of that celebration, the Graduate College awarded $15,000 to more than 50 graduate students who participated in the annual Graduate Student Showcase and the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) events.
The 3MT attracted 15 participants whose presentations were assessed by three celebrity judges: Boise Mayor David Bieter, former CEO of Micron Mark Durcan and Diane Bevan, CEO of the Idaho Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
The 3MT winners were:
1st place: Sepideh Rastegar, electrical and computer engineering, $500 prize
2nd place: AuraLea Fain, kinesiology, $300 prize
Audience choice: Nikki Cannon, communication, $200 prize
The Graduate Student Showcase featured more than 180 graduate student poster and arts presentations – including music performances, creative writing readings, art displays and remote participation from online students. The showcase also included more than 80 faculty judges who ranked posters on purpose, design, impact and overall impressions, while arts graduate students were judged on their originality, creativity, technical execution and artistic merit.
Below is a partial list of this year’s Graduate Student Showcase awards and winners:
Presidential Scholar in the Performing and Visual Art
Sponsored by the Office of the President
Lisa Roggenbuck, visual arts, $500
Presidential Scholar in Research, Scholarship and Entrepreneurship
Sponsored by the Office of the President
AuraLea Fain, kinesiology, $500
Division of Research and Economic Development Awards
Sponsored by the Vice President of Research office
Madison Krentz, mechanical engineering, $375
Ashley Poppe, chemistry, $375
Stephen Thomas, materials science and engineering, $375
Victoria Volk, materials science and engineering, $375
Graduate College Scholars
Sponsored by the Graduate College
Roohollah Amiri, electrical and computer engineering, $350
Bahareh Badamchi, electrical and computer engineering, $350
Ryan Hall, music education, $350
Kody Johnson, civil engineering, $350
Nishatul Majid, electrical and computer engineering, $350
Teague Scott, raptor biology, $350
View the complete list of Graduate Student Showcase award winners here.