Aduragbemi Alabi, a second-year master’s student in the Department of Biology at Georgia State University, Atlanta, has emerged as the winner of the 2024 Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition in the master’s category, securing a $500 prize.
The 3MT competition, developed by the University of Queensland, Australia, challenged graduate students to present their research clearly and concisely to a non-specialist audience in just three minutes.
This year’s edition at Georgia State University featured over forty participants across master’s and PhD levels, with Alabi standing out after two competitive rounds – preliminary and final.
Alabi’s winning presentation, titled “Induction of Pyroptosis by Coronaviruses Using MHV-Infected Fibroblast Cells,” explored how coronaviruses trigger a specific form of programmed cell death called pyroptosis.
The research aimed to deepen understanding of coronavirus pathogenesis, including how viruses like MHV (Murine Hepatitis Virus) infect cells, replicate, and evade immune responses – insights that could inform strategies to combat similar viruses such as SARS-CoV-2.
Originally from Nigeria, Alabi holds a first-class bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from Mountain Top University, Ogun State. In addition to her academic pursuits, she has made notable contributions to the Georgia State University community, receiving the Graduate Award for Outstanding Instruction and serving as a Graduate Senator in the Student Government Association.
Beyond campus, Alabi volunteers actively with organizations such as the American Red Cross and the Boy Scouts of America, demonstrating a commitment to public service alongside her academic excellence.
