100% digital this year, the Sorbonne University final of "My thesis in 180 seconds" (MT180) was adapted to the current health conditions. Broadcast live, it took place behind closed doors, under the aegis of the President of the University.
 
180 seconds is all the time that each young researcher has to make a clear and convincing presentation of their research project. Organized throughout France by the CNRS and the Conference of University Presidents, the MT180 competition is an opportunity for doctoral candidates to combine science and eloquence.

On Friday, March 19, the 18 finalists from Sorbonne University took up the challenge of popularizing their work in front of a small audience and a jury composed of researchers, journalists and entrepreneurs. This year, their performances could also be followed by hundreds of viewers on Youtube.
Selected by videoconference last February, the candidates benefited from public speaking preparation and scientific popularization training with an assigned expert, Alexandra de Kaenel.

At the end of this year's local final, three prizes were awarded:

• The first jury prize was awarded to Brenna Conin, a doctoral candidate studying in the "Complexity of Life" graduate school, for her presentation on DNA division in bacteria.
• Second prize went to Thibaut Lacroix, a second-year doctoral candidate from the "Physics in Ile-de-France" graduate school, for his presentation on quantum effects in molecular biology.
• The public prize, chosen by the online audience, was awarded to Helena Moguel, a third-year doctoral candidate from the "Physiology, Physiopathology and Therapeutics" graduate school, for her presentation on food allergies.

The two winners of the jury prize represented Sorbonne University at the national semi-final, which was held remotely and based on the videos of the regional finals. Candidates selected to move through to the national final will participate in June 2021.