Kinesiology grad student’s research on obesity and musculoskeletal health wins 2024 UCalgary 3MT finals

Innovation in minutes

The 2024 Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition at the University of Calgary, an internationally recognized event, challenged over 60 graduate students to present their complex research in just three minutes to a non-specialist audience. The competition culminated in the UCalgary 3MT finals on April 10, held at the Last Defence Lounge on main campus, where 10 finalists presented their innovative research to over 100 attendees. 

Darsh Tripathi, a second-year MSc student in kinesiology, emerged as the first-place winner in the 2024 UCalgary 3MT finals. Aliza Jaffer, a first-year MSc student in medical science, secured second place and also earned the People’s Choice award. Finally, a third-place tie occurred between Jessica May Corpuz, a third-year PhD student in biomedical engineering specializing in stem cell and regenerative medicine, and Moty Moravvej, a fourth-year PhD student in finance at the Haskayne School of Business.

This event, organized by the Faculty of Graduate Studies, continues to provide a valuable platform for students to share their research and enhance their communication skills.

Darsh Tripathi unravels the links between obesity and musculoskeletal health

Tripathi’s MSc research delves into the connections between obesity, metabolic syndrome and musculoskeletal health. He investigates how obesity, often linked to lifestyle factors such as unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity, contributes to joint, bone and muscle degeneration. His research could inform clinical trials for patients with obesity and who are at risk of knee-joint osteoarthritis, by providing insights into pathways leading to degeneration, as well as potential treatment and prevention modalities through aerobic capacity training. 

When asked about his motivation to pursue this research, Tripathi said, “My personal experience with a multi-ligamentous knee injury — having torn my ACL, MCL and PCL two years ago — has ignited a keen interest in investigating knee-joint osteoarthritis (OA).”

Upon winning the finals, Tripathi voiced his gratitude and excitement: “When the result was announced, I was very happy to hear my name and was surprised because there were flawless presentations by other finalists who deserved to win as well! I am very grateful that I won and am even more excited about the western regionals and representing the University of Calgary at that level.” 

Tripathi is set to participate in the Western Regional 3MT Competition, which will be held at the University of British Columbia - Okanagan on May 8. His presentation, titled Does Inherent Aerobic Capacity Protect the Knee Joint from Degeneration?, can be watched on a livestream through the competition website between 3 and 6 p.m. MT. Don’t forget to cast your vote for Tripathi for the People’s Choice award!

Aliza Jaffer is a rising star in medical imaging

Jaffer’s MSc work focuses on studying brain function in infants whose mothers experienced anxiety and/or depression during pregnancy. She analyzes infant brain MRI scans from the Alberta Children’s Hospital to observe patterns of brain network development and their relationships with infant behaviour across early childhood. Her work aims to understand how early-life experiences shape neurodevelopment and inform interventions to support healthy outcomes.

Reflecting on her experience, Jaffer expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to share her work with the UCalgary community. She entered the competition recognizing the importance of conveying research in a clear and engaging manner. 3MT challenged her to articulate her research concisely and to speak with confidence and clarity. 

She said: “The challenge was delivering a talk that encompassed all aspects of my project while ensuring it remained concise and comprehensible by a diverse audience. My advice to future participants is to craft a narrative that captivates the audience and authentically conveys the significance and impact of their research.”

Advancing spinal health research with Jessica May Corpuz

Focusing on the intervertebral discs (IVDs), the spongy tissues between the vertebrae of the spine, is the backbone of Corpuz’s doctoral research. She investigates a molecule called Proteoglycan 4 (Prg4), which she believes is key to maintaining healthy discs. Using a mouse model where Prg4 is absent, she examines the effect of Prg4 deletion on the IVDs’ appearance and function. Her research aims to benefit those investigating the mechanisms behind IVD degeneration and therapeutics for treating this degeneration, potentially leading to treatments for lower back pain. 

Looking back on the 3MT finals and her announcement as a winner, Corpuz said, “Honestly, I was shocked, everyone during the finals was amazing and I didn’t know how the judges were going to place us. When they announced a tie for third place and that I was one of them, it took a second for it to register in my mind. But once it sank in, I was proud of myself and felt that all the effort I put into the competition paid off.”

Moty Moravvej is bridging the gap between traditional and modern finance

With a background spanning software engineering and capital markets, Moravvej’s journey into finance research is driven by the curiosity to bridge traditional and modern financial landscapes. Moravvej’s doctoral research examines the settlement microstructure in blockchain and modern payment systems, with the aim to provide invaluable insights to policy-makers. 

Her current working paper, “Silencing the Noise Amplified Effects: A Casual Study on Price Efficiency,” investigates the effects of eliminating noise traders (investors) from the market. Moravvej’s work demonstrates that the absence of noise traders reduces the speed at which information is incorporated into prices, leading to reduced liquidity and declining market depth.

Upon placing third in the competition, Moravvej expressed her joy: “I was so happy. Specifically, because my supervisor Dr. Alfred Lehar attended the event with other faculties. This achievement would not have been possible without his valuable guidance. I was happy that I was able to highlight the name of the Haskayne School of Business for the first time in this event.”

The power of support

Each year the UCalgary 3MT competition leaves behind a trail of inspiration and admiration and this year is no different. The winners have not only showcased their innovative research but also highlighted the supportive environment fostered by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and members of the MyGradSkills team. The dedication and support from these members, which was a common sentiment echoed by all competitors, were instrumental in their success, creating a positive and supportive environment that allowed them to excel. This reflects the overwhelming appreciation the participants felt for the support they received throughout the competition.

As the journey continues, the spotlight now turns to Tripathi, who is set to represent the UCalgary at the Western Regional 3MT Competition at the University of British Columbia - Okanagan. The entire UCalgary community is encouraged to tune in on May 8, 2024, between 3 and 6 p.m. MT to watch his presentation live and cast their vote for the People’s Choice award. Let’s rally behind Tripathi as he continues to unravel the links between obesity and musculoskeletal health!