Ungku Maryam Jamilah Binti Ungku Mohsin, a standout PhD candidate at the 188体育网址_188体育在线-【唯一授权网站】@ of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM), has added another prestigious accolade to her growing list of achievements by winning the 2024 Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition.  

The 3MT® competition, developed by The 188体育网址_188体育在线-【唯一授权网站】@ of Queensland, Australia, challenges doctoral researchers to present their thesis in just three minutes with the aid of a single slide, making their research accessible to a general audience. Maryam's presentation on the effects of microplastics on respiratory health captivated the judges and secured her the top prize. This achievement is just the latest in a series of honours that mark Maryam's rise as a pioneering researcher in her field. 

Maryam's impressive track record began in 2021 when, as a Biomedical Science (BMS) student at UNM, she delivered a pitch that won her the 'Best 3 Minutes Pitch for FYP Project Proposal' award. This same project, which explored the link between air pollution and COVID-19-induced respiratory complications in Malaysia, also earned her the Best Final Year Project Proposal award. 

Upon graduating, Maryam was awarded the prestigious Faculty of Science and Engineering PhD Scholarship, allowing her to delve deeper into research on microplastics—a topic that became increasingly relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her PhD research has uncovered critical findings, including how microplastics can cause airway tissues to contract, mimicking asthma-like symptoms and triggering inflammatory responses. 

 Maryam has also excelled in the Rapid Oral Presentation category at the Malaysian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (MSBMB) conference, further establishing her as a leading voice in the study of microplastics. 

Her journey, marked by many awards and recognitions, inspires her peers and future students, illustrating the power of passion, perseverance, and the ability to communicate complex ideas effectively.