Karl Lyn - 2019 3MT Winner

Karl Lyn, University of California President's Postdoctoral Fellow (3MT 2019 Winner)

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

One of my strongest memories as a finalist was standing on stage and realizing I had to trust my voice and my ability to share the heart of my research in a story that could resonate across the room. It reminded me that research is not only about data or argument; it is about connection.

If you wish, share a sentence or two about how the 3MT impacted your career trajectory. 

Winning the 3MT sharpened my commitment to public scholarship and strengthened my confidence in communicating complex ideas to broad audiences. The experience enabled me to see that my work could travel across disciplines and beyond the academy. It continues to influence how I approach grant writing, conference presentations, teaching, and public engagements. 

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

The 3MT may have been three minutes on stage, but it was also a culmination of months of development, practice, feedback, refinement, and the investment of time and attention from friends, mentors, Heidi, and the Office of Professional Development (OPD). I remain deeply appreciative of OPD and the behind-the-scenes work they do to help students find and strengthen their voices.