Grasshopper Anderson-Merritt - 2023 3MT Winner

Grasshopper Anderson-Merritt, Doctoral Researcher, Geosciences (3MT 2023 Winner)

If you wish, share a memory or reflection on your experience as a finalist. 

The whole 3MT process was SO MUCH FUN from the peer review sessions at the very beginning all the way through the competition itself. The best part was getting to know folks from all over campus: it helped me feel connected to the campus community beyond just my department. The final competition itself is a bit of a blur in my memory, but I remember getting on the bus to go home that evening and realizing that a fellow finalist and friend from the competition took the same bus! We chatted the whole way home and on many bus rides after that.

I’m also really grateful for all of the opportunities for feedback from lots of folks at each stage of the competition, and especially in the lead-up to the finals. I still think about that advice both when I’m getting ready for talks or poster presentations and when I chat with non-experts about my research or my field of study.

Anything else you want to share about your 3MT experience? 

One silly side effect of 3MT participation: when I give talks now, I’m still sometimes afraid that my 3MT speech is going to pop out of my mouth instead of what I’m supposed to say!