Kendra Isable, a doctoral candidate in her final year in the anthropology program at the University, has left her mark on the Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) competition at the highest level. After securing a victory in the University’s 2023 3MT competition and winning second place at the regional competition in early 2024, Isable was selected as the People’s Choice Winner in the national 3MT showcase at the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) annual conference this December. CGS President Suzanne T. Ortega stated that students participating in this national competition represent the best of graduate research and communication.
In the 3MT competition, graduate students present their research project within three minutes and using one slide. Students invest much time and effort to make their presentations compelling to a non-expert audience and without compromising on their scholarship. Isable saw fierce competition as she faced off against 11 other scholars who each won their respective regional competitions but walked away victorious with bragging rights and a monetary award. With her presentation titled “Bones Tell Tales: Giving a Voice to the Historically Silenced,” she captivated the crowd with her research about how African Americans’ skeletal fractions and misalignments highlight inequities in access to medical care and unequal opportunities to heal from injuries. Her research is an important conversation starter regarding the American health care system and Isable believes that health care should be universal.
Reflecting on her 3MT journey over the last two years, Isable discussed how the competition taught her how to clearly and concisely convey her research to people outside the field of Anthropology. The 3MT platform allowed her to not only to share her research across the country, but to do so in a short, meaningful, and accessible way. As Isable accepted the national award, she stated “My research has been pivotal in not only understanding who I am as a Black woman in academia, it has given me an opportunity to better understand my history and my culture.”
She has a passion to disseminate her research and promises to “make sure that our history is not just an elective class that you can take when you get to college.” Isable is striving to ensure that young Black children have role models and see that they can be scientists and have many other successful career options.
As Isable approaches graduation, she expressed gratitude for the multitude of people supporting her along the way. She credits her success to her advisor Marin, her boss Maureen, Dean Markus Kemmelmeier, and Graduate School staff members Loren Pietsch and Matthew Aguirre. She also sends a huge shout out to her family (especially her mom, Tracey), her friends, and most importantly, her husband Quinn for listening to her 3MT pitch 10,000 times.
Congratulations Kendra Isable on this well-deserved award!
