NU student Cassidy Brooks represents Nipissing at 3MT® Regional Competition

On May 14, 2025, Cassidy Brooks, a Master of Science in Kinesiology student at Nipissing University, took to the stage in Toronto to represent the University at the Ontario Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Regional Competition. One of just 12 competitors from universities across the province, Brooks delivered a compelling research pitch to an audience of scholars, science communicators, and celebrity judges.

Her presentation, titled ‘More Than Sport – Youth: Supporting Youth Academy Athletes Through Sport Career Transitions,’ explores how young athletes can be better supported as they move through the emotional and psychological challenges of transitioning out of competitive sport. The project is supervised by Dr. Mark Bruner and Dr. Meredith Schertzinger through Nipissing’s G4YD (Groups for Youth Development) Lab.

Brooks’ research sits at the intersection of youth development, mental health, and sport psychology; fields that have received growing attention as the pressures on young athletes increase. Her work aims to inform future programming that better supports young people beyond their athletic careers.

“Competing in the 3MT® Regional Competition was a rewarding experience and opportunity for me to share my research beyond the academic world. Expressing my research in a clear and passionate way was challenging but also incredibly empowering,” said Brooks. “I left feeling proud of what I have contributed to this experience and inspired by the impact of other presentations and research. I am incredibly grateful for the support from my supervisor Dr. Mark Bruner, the G4YD Lab, and all the friends and family who continue to encourage me through my academic journey.”

The 3MT® competition challenges graduate students to distill their complex research into a three-minute pitch that’s understandable to a non-specialist audience. At this year’s regional event, Brooks’ work was reviewed by a distinguished panel of judges including Rob Baker (guitarist of The Tragically Hip), Dr. Deepa Kundur (Canada Research Chair in Cybersecurity at the University of Toronto), Ivan Semeniuk (science journalist at The Globe and Mail), former Ontario Premier Hon. Kathleen Wynne, and public science communicator Dr. Samantha Yammine.

Her journey through the 3MT® competition reflects not just her academic excellence but also the mentorship and collaboration that define Nipissing’s graduate programs. The G4YD Lab, in particular, fosters a dynamic and supportive research environment focused on real-world impact.

As Nipissing continues to expand its graduate research footprint, Brooks’ performance on the provincial stage offers a glimpse into the future: one where students are generating meaningful research and communicating its importance to the world.

Media Contact: 

Khia Beauchesne 
Communications Officer 
Nipissing University 
(705) 474-3450 ext. 4035 
communications@nipissingu.ca