The 13th Annual 3MT Competition, hosted by the Cratis D. Williams School of Graduate Studies, was held on January 24, 2025. For the competition, graduate students explain their research or scholarly/creative projects in jargon-free language to a general audience in three minutes with the help of only one static slide. The Graduate School would like to thank all of our 3MT participants for their hard work and incredible presentations!
Jonathan Culpepper gives his winning speech. Photo by Kyla Willoughby
Jonathan Culpepper was the first place winner of the competition for his thesis titled, “Application of Locally Produced Arundo donax Biochar and Fly Ash for Optimal Mechanical Properties of Hydraulic Cement Mortar.”
Jonathan Culpepper is a graduate student at Appalachian State University pursuing a Master's in sustainable building design and construction. He recently received his undergraduate degree from App State in Building Science, focusing on sustainable building systems with a minor in sustainable technology. Jonathan has been a leader of App State’s US DOE Solar Decathlon Design Competition Team for the past two years and won the retrofit housing division in 2023. Jonathan has completed multiple field internships in various industries, including water resources, wind, solar and commercial upfits. He works with Dr. Sharareh Shirzad as a graduate research assistant on sustainable concrete alternatives and aims to work as a building enclosure consultant post-grad. He is interested in the decarbonization of the built environment through energy-efficient design and BIM/BEM modeling. In his free time he enjoys mountain biking, snowboarding, and camping.
Sean Doherty stands with with the Associate Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School, Dr. Ashley Colquitt, after receiving his award. Photo by Kyla Willoughby
Sean Doherty won second place for his research in Exercise Science, “Can the OpenCap Markerless Motion Capture Framework Detect Lower Extremity Kinematic Changes During a Fatiguing Run?”
Sean Doherty is an Exercise Science MS student here at App State, focusing on research in biomechanics. He is currently focused on work with motion capture frameworks, and he is interested in studying running biomechanics for both performance benefits and reducing injury risk. Sean’s Faculty Mentor is Dr. Herman van Werkhoven.
Steven Vogel gives his speech. Photo by Kyla Willoughby
Steven Vogel won the People’s Choice award for his thesis entitled, “Performing on the Glass Stage: Examining Role Congruity’s Effect on Firm Performance Industrial Organizational Psychology and HR Management.”
Steven Vogel is a second year Master's student in the Industrial Organizational Psychology and HR management program. He received his undergraduate degree in psychology from UNC Chapel Hill and worked in Neuroscience before coming to Appalachian State University. His research interests are gender and leadership in the work place. Steven’s Faculty Mentor is Dr. Tiberiu Ungureanu.
A special thank you to all of our participants listed below:
Jose Picado
“Does Hip-Shoulder Separation, Elbow Varus Torque and Functional Movement Relate to Pitch Performance in Collegiate Baseball Pitchers”
Exercise Science, Faculty Mentor: Dr. Alan Needle
Autumn Cataldo
“The Importance of Behavioral Self-Regulation in Preschool-Aged Children”
Speech Language Pathology, Faculty Mentor: Dr. George Wolford
Gloria Hope
“Geopolitics of Exclusive Bordering in the United States: A Case Study of Colombia and Venezuela”
Geography, Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kara Dempsey
Abigail Branco - Finalist
“Do Stereotypes Free Up Cognitive Resources? A Replication and Extension of Macrae et al. (1994)”
Psychological Sciences, Faculty Mentor: Dr. Andrew Smith
Ngoc Tran - Finalist
“Are We Ready for Autonomous Vehicles (AVs)?”
Business Administration, Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jason Xiong
Mabry Watson
“Is Thinking About Rehabilitation as Affective as Doing it for Individuals with Chronic Ankle Instability?”
Exercise Science, Faculty Mentor: Dr. Alan Needle
Miranda Wells
“Chronic Pain in Emerging Adults: The Benefits of Gratitude and Awe”
Experimental Psychology, Faculty Mentor: Dr. Lisa Emery
Freedom Johnson
“A Chemical Approach to Gene Detection: Recognition of the clbR Gene in Escherichia Coli with Hairpin Polyamide-FRET Conjugates”
Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty Mentor: Dr. Rachel Bleich and Dr. Nicholas Shaw
Athena Sexton - Finalist
“The Heart of the Park: Junior Ranger Program”
Public Administration, Faculty Mentor: Dr. Joy James
Lastly, a special thank you to our judges:
Dr. Leslie Alexander, Superintendent of Watauga County Schools
Alexander earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Guilford College and a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She earned the degree of Education Specialist and Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from App State. She also serves on the advisory board of App State’s Women in Educational Leadership Symposium.
Dr. Judith Domer, Former Dean of Graduate Studies and Research
Dr. Domer graduated from Tusculum University with degrees in biology and chemistry. She was awarded a Ph.D. from Tulane University, where she later served as associate dean and acting vice chancellor at Tulane’s medical center. Upon moving to western North Carolina in 1997, Dr. Domer served as Dean of Graduate Studies and Research here at Appalachian State for seven years. Dr. Domer has been a generous and supportive donor to Appalachian State, and an active champion for the mission of the Williams School of Graduate Studies. Through their generosity of service and giving, Dr. Domer and her late husband, Dr. Floyd Domer, will have had an incredible and lasting impact on graduate studies here at Appalachian State for years to come.
Dr. Gabriele Casale, Assistant Vice Provost for Research and Innovation
Dr. Casale is also a 2018 Board of Governors Teaching Excellence Award winner. Dr. Casale graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in geology. He then earned a master’s degree and was awarded his doctorate in Earth and Space Sciences from the University of Washington.
The 3MT competition is an international competition that began at the University of Queensland in Australia and is now held at universities worldwide. To learn more about this competition, visit the Three Minute Thesis site.