The guest speaker, Evie Vereecke, Ph.D., of the University of Leuven (KU Leuven) in Belgium, delivered the 2023 Distinguished Findling Lecture about her research journey studying the biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system.

The event also provided students an opportunity to practice the essential skill of communicating about scientific research. "Science is so diversified now," says Dr. Fryer. "When we go to national and international scientific meetings, the attendees have varied expertise. To catch someone up quickly — here's what I'm doing and why I'm doing it — within a minute, and engage them, is critical."

What's more, scientists need to explain their research to the public. "Research can't happen without grant dollars and without people who cast votes and people who donate money. It's important to have the skills to keep non-scientists interested in research," Dr. Fryer says.

Explaining science with graphs, images, and metaphors

Throughout the day, students talked science. In animated conversations, they pointed out features of graphs and images as they presented their posters. Eight students, specially selected from among their peers within each graduate track, gave oral presentations about their thesis projects, and deftly fielded questions from the audience.

Several students participated in a competition known as the Three Minute Thesis, in which they vied with each other to describe their research in the most captivating, lay language within three minutes. Conducted at universities worldwide, the competition prompts students to find creative metaphors to explain scientific concepts.

One competitor described identifying a cancer through its fingerprint; another phrased finding an optimal gene-delivery vector as choosing a minivan instead of a motorcycle or a truck.

The panel of judges included a Rochester-area business owner and non-scientist staff members of the graduate school, and the winners received funding to advance to the regional competition at the 2024 Midwest Association of Graduate Schools.

Gaining ideas from supportive peers

Student William Herbert found the conversations and presentations instructive. His graduate research in the lab of Marina Walther-Antonio, Ph.D., aims to develop personalized treatment for endometrial cancer. "It's interesting to hear someone use an analogy to make a point, and even though their research may not be directly related to what I do, I can use that approach when I present my own work," he says.

And the environment at the symposium is supportive, says Tayla Brooks, who conducts research in the lab of Lewis Roberts, M.B., Ch.B., Ph.D. Brooks is studying the microenvironment that supports the development of liver and bile duct cancers. She presented research that's still at an early, exploratory stage and found she gained new strategies through conversations with other students. "It's a good place to get feedback," she says.

Karen Dsouza, who served as last year's co-president of the Graduate Student Association, notes that the symposium plays an important role in introducing first-year students to the breadth of research taking place at Mayo as they begin to envision their Ph.D. projects. But most importantly, the gathering builds friendships that fuel long hours of research. "It's the camaraderie that keeps us going throughout the year," she says.

Best poster presentation awards

Three minute thesis awards

Teacher and mentor awards

About Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

The mission of Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences is to develop the next generation of leaders in biomedical science and education. First established in 1915, Mayo’s graduate degrees were initially awarded in partnership with the University of Minnesota. Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences became an independent, degree-granting institution in 1983. Currently, more than 100 students are working toward master's degrees and over 200 are working toward doctoral degrees.