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The 2026 Three Minute Thesis final competition will be held Jan. 29, from 4 to 6 p.m.

What is the best way to distill a multitude of information into just three minutes?

That’s the question eleven graduate students will be wrestling with as part of the Graduate School’s ninth annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, which will be held in the University Memorial Center’s Glenn Miller Ballroom on Jan. 29, 2026, from 4 to 6 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, but .

This event challenges each student to explain their thesis to the general public. They are then evaluated by a panel of judges, which this year include Lori Bergen, dean of the College of Communication, Media, Design and Information; Sammy Ramsey or "Dr. Sammy," an assistant professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, a science communicator, and an international 3MT winner; Leopold Beuken, an assistant teaching professor in robotics and a former CU ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½ÔÚÏß 3MT finalist; and Aaron Brockett, the City of ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½ÔÚÏß mayor.

In the days leading up to the event, we’ll feature each of the competitors. Today’s is Phani Arvind Vadali, a doctoral candidate in civil, environmental and architectural engineering who researches how to build energy systems. His 3MT presentation's title is, "The Challenge of Electrification: Light Through SABER."

If you had to describe your research in one sentence, what would you say?

I create decision-support tools that enable building owners to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability through cost-effective, environmentally responsible strategies.

What do you feel is the significance of your research to the every day audience?

By 2050, the world has pledged to achieve a number of climate goals on various fronts. Nearly 80% of the buildings that exist then already exist today. Through my research, I want to make sure that every building owner has access to the right tools to guide them towards a sustainable and energy efficient future.Ìý

What led you to pursue your doctoral degree in your field of study?

Architectural engineering exists in this unique nexus of art, science and engineering that makes it amenable to solve environmental challenges in creative ways. My research provides an opportunity for me to interact with the our built environment from a unique perspective, deepening my understanding of how humans engage with the spaces they inhabit.

What is your favorite thing about the research you do?

Understanding how different people prioritize different goals and how those priorities guide the decisions they make.

What is your favorite food and why?

I love a good pizza. It's an incredibly versatile dish that can be adapted across cuisines, ingredients, and preparation styles, with each variation offering a unique flavor.

Tell us a random fact about yourself

I once swam a 5K.