In addition to winning the competition, Sumajit also claimed 3MT™ People’ s Choice honors, voted on by the audience for the relatability and engagement of her presentation.
She opened with a stark reality – for those with glioblastoma, a diagnosis usually means a significantly shortened lifespan.
“ Can you imagine being told you have a brain tumor and only 12 months to live? I can’ t.”
Sumajit explained her research, focused on glioblastoma cell migration, as if the cells were a rock climber using force generated from the pull of their arms and push from their legs to scale difficult landscapes. Although glioblastoma cells don’ t have arms or legs, they generate similar forces, allowing them to physically migrate deep into brain tissue. These forces are what she measures in patient-derived organoids using a method called traction force microscopy, or TFM, to characterize the cellular interactions as they invade healthy tissue.
Only 7 % of patients diagnosed with glioblastoma survive for more than five years. Even surgical removal of the tumors doesn’ t typically stop the spread; the cancer cells move so deep into healthy tissue that the tumor, in its entirety, cannot be removed. Sumajit is determined to understand how these cells move and what helps them“ decide” where to go.
Sumajit took her message of hope on the road to Gainesville to compete in the state 3MT™ competition at the University of Florida in April. While she didn’ t place at the state level, Sumajit competed alongside eight other finalists and picked up some tips for improving her own communication skills.
“ The first- and second-place winners truly deserved it. It was inspiring to be part of such a strong group, and I’ m very glad I had the opportunity to participate,” Sumajit said.
This experience is one that has shaped her own way of thinking and explaining her research, emphasizing how studying tumor cell migration could one day reduce the unanswered questions that accompany glioblastoma diagnosis.
For Owutey and Sumajit, the 3MT™ competition provided additional tools to improve how they think about and communicate the how’ s and why’ s of their own work. Both took away lessons and experiences that will continue to shape their academic and scientific careers.
For students considering the 3MT™ competition in the future, Owutey and Sumajit offer simple advice – understand your work, practice, and know your audience.
“ If we know how these cells behave, if we can identify the main players involved in this process, we can try to block it,” she said.“ And if we can block it, we can stop the spread, give patients more time, and, maybe one day, change that terrifying number from 12 months to a lifetime.”
“ I had goosebumps,” said her colleague, Owutey,“ when you were speaking, especially that final line. I remember it so much.”
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