WVU School of Medicine doctoral student advances to national Three-Minute Thesis Competition

West Virginia University School of Medicine Biochemistry and Molecular Biology doctoral student, Janelle Chuah, placed first in WVU’s Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition last April. Chuah was then sent as a WVU representative to the regional competition this February, where she placed second which allows her to compete at nationals.

Through the Three-Minute Thesis competition, universities across the country challenge graduate students to present their research topic and its significance in three minutes and using just one slide. The format develops academic, presentation and research communication skills, as well as supports the development of graduate students’ capacity to concisely communicate their research to a non-specialist audience.

Chuah’s Three-Minute Thesis presentation, “Switch on the ‘Garbage Disposal’ to Treat Alzheimer’s Disease,” took many sleepless nights to determine an approach for describing the topic.

“One may not think that a properly functioning ‘garbage disposal’ in our body could be life-changing for millions suffering from Alzheimer’s disease,” Chuah said. “The garbage disposal is how I colloquially refer to the proteasome in my 3MT presentation. The proteasome is a molecular machine that is important for getting rid of proteins we no longer need, essentially getting rid of waste. I use the label ‘garbage disposal’ because of how it breaks down waste but also how it is similar in structure.”

In brains of patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, studies have observed an accumulation of protein waste, and that the proteasomes are less active. Scientists believe that the build-up of waste overwhelms the neurons, causing them to die and weakening the brain, Chuah explained. Chuah’s research focuses on understanding how to activate the proteasome so the field can test whether restoring proteasome activity is a good treatment for Alzheimer’s.

“This research is exciting because it contributes to the search for effective therapies that target not only the symptoms, but also the progression of Alzheimer’s, which will benefit millions,” Chuah said.

"I am grateful to be given opportunities to present my thesis to a wide range of audiences,” Chuah said. “People who know someone else suffering from Alzheimer’s often respond to my research with relief and hope, as they become aware of the progress scientists have made trying to figure treatments for such a prevalent disease. Also, my experience at regionals allowed me to make progress in overcoming imposter syndrome, a common struggle among graduate students. I attribute my success to having supportive mentors, like Dr. David Smith, my principal investigator.”

“Janelle has a real passion for research, but even more so she has a passion to help people,” said Smith, an associate professor in the School of Medicine. “Translating complex scientific ideas into solutions that will benefit the world is no easy task, but the skills she is learning and the experience she is gaining as part of this 3MT competition are providing a foundation for this challenging task.”

“Any student that participates in a 3MT competition is going to learn one of the most important aspects of research: how to communicate your findings to the world,” Smith said. “It does not matter how amazing or groundbreaking your research findings are, if you cannot effectively and persuasively communicate that research to the world, then its value will likely never be realized.”

The next step for Chuah will be the national competition in San Francisco, Calif., in December 2022.

“In preparation for nationals, I will continue to work with my coach, Dr. Betty Mei, program director for Graduate Student Success, to appeal to the audience and make sure my presentation is relatable, clear and concise,” Chuah said. “I will also be practicing with people outside of research to test if my presentation is absolutely understandable to the lay person.”

The national competition is slightly different from the regionals round as there is no first and second place. At nationals, there is only a People’s Choice Award, rather than a judging committee, and the audience will decide the winner.

“At nationals, I am excited to learn from other graduate students across the country on how they communicate their research,” Chuah said. “I am also really looking forward to being exposed to other areas of research.”

Chuah is from Malaysia and came to the United States in 2015 for her undergraduate degree. She is expected to complete her Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences with a concentration in biochemistry and molecular biology in December 2023.

The 2022 WVU Three-Minute Thesis finale will be held April 14 in the Mountainlair Ballroom.