Video games. Tongue exercises. COVID-19 and mental illness. The annual Three-Minute
Thesis Competition featured array of topics. The event is open to any graduate student
in Harris College who is working on a research project, such as a thesis, dissertation
or other project. Given the opportunity to describe their work to a general audience
in three minutes or less, winners receive a gift card and the opportunity to compete
at the university level. The 2025 event did not disappoint. Watch the full presentation and read on for the winners.
2025 Winners:
1st Place Winner
Haylei Scoggins Ph.D. In Health Sciences, Kinesiology
"Exploring the Connection Between Gameplay and Physical Activity in Adult Video Game
Players”
Mentor: Robyn Trocchio
2nd Place Winner
Katherine Westbrook
Communication Sciences & Disorders
“Guesswork or Gold Standard? How SLPs Prescribe Tongue Exercise”
Mentor: Teresa Drulia
People’s Choice
Autumn Rae Henry
Social Work
“Repercussions of COVID on Emerging Adults' Mental Health: Risk and Protective Factors”
Mentor: Aesha John
Additional 2025 Harris College Three-Minute Thesis contestants included:
Samuel Ayeni
Kinesiology
“Relationships between Health Behaviors and Weight Status among Nigerian Immigrants
in the United States”
Mentor: Phil Esposito
Madeline Gose
Kinesiology
“The Impact of a Gymnastics Intervention on Motor Skills in children and adolescents
with intellectual disabilities”
Mentor: Phil Esposito
Parker Hughes
Kinesiology
“Propulsive Force Differences Between Upper and Lower Body in the Four Competitive
Swimming Strokes”
Mentor: Peter Weyand
Gouresh Powar
Ph.D. In Health Sciences, Kinesiology
“Ultimate human speed limits”
Mentor: Peter Weyand
Nadja Zimmerman
Ph.D. In Health Sciences, Social Work
“Human Trafficking Assessments with IPV Survivors: Exploring Service Provider Perceptions”
Mentor: Mary Twis