MSc MCB student Erin Rudolph will represent CBS at the U of G 3MT finals

Congratulations to Erin Rudolph, a M.Sc. Molecular and Cellular Biology student, who will be representing the College of Biological Science at the University of Guelph Three Minute Thesis finals on April 24!

Rudolph, a student in Dr. Priyanka Pundir’s lab, presented “Mast Cells: The Fire Alarm of Immunity” at the College of Biological Science Three Minute Thesis heat on March 25.

In her presentation, she compared the role of immune cells called mast cells to alarm systems in a fire, detecting pathogens in our bodies and eliciting an immune response. In her research, Rudolph is using two lines of mice, one with an intact “alarm system” and one without, to better understand how mast cells respond to diseases, such as bacterial meningitis. If the alarm system is not sensitive enough, it can be harmful, allowing bacteria to spread uncontrollably, she says, but a too-sensitive alarm can lead to an excessive immune response.

The Three Minute Thesis competition challenges master’s and PhD students to present their research and its impacts in three minutes or less to a panel of non-specialist judges, distilling complex research in an engaging, accessible and compelling way. Competitors are allowed one slide, but no notes and no props. 

U of Guelph’s Three Minute Thesis finals will be held April 24 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the ARC Arts Auditorium in MacKinnon. All are welcome to attend. The winner of the university-wide competition will receive a $1,000 prize towards their tuition and will go on to the provincial final held May 14 at the University of Toronto.