Four area students honored for academic excellence in annual presentation competitions

Oakland University has honored the outstanding academic work of four students who participated in its Graduate School’s Fourth Annual Three Minute Thesis Competition and Graduate Student Showcase.

Shweta Kapur of Troy, a Ph.D. student in human movement science was recently named Champion in the Three Minute Thesis Competition Champion for her presentation "Roadblocks to Managing Balance Problems.”

Having won this honor for a second time, Kapur received a $1,000 prize and represented Oakland at the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools Regional Competition.

Winning the People’s Choice Award in this year’s event was Alex Tyshka of Rochester, a M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering student. He received a $250 prize for this three-minute thesis titled, "Designing Social Robots That Anyone Can Teach.”

Theresa DuBay of Rochester Hills, a M.A. in Counseling student, won Graduate Student Showcase Champion honors for her display titled, "Immersive VR Therapy.” She received a $1,000 prize.

Finally, Samantha Halime of Clawson, a M.A. in Counseling student, was named the Graduate Student Showcase People's Choice Award Winner for her display titled "Recoveropology Disordered Eating." She received a $250 prize.

“It was truly a pleasure to learn about the outstanding work our graduate students are doing in their programs,” said OU Graduate School Dean Brandy Randall. “The creativity and quality of the student's presentations are a testament to the excellent students and faculty at OU. We can't wait for next year! Thank you to the Oakland University Credit Union for sponsoring the prizes awarded in both of these annual events.”