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Congratulations Jay Olson, PhD candidate, winner of the 2018 McGill 3MT (3 Minute Thesis) competition

Published: 5 April 2018

Congratulations to Jay Olson, Psychiatry PhD candidate, winner of this year's McGill 3MT competition!

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition is an international competition that brings together graduate students to present their years of research to a non-specialist audience in 3 minutes. Originating at the University of Queensland in 2008, today over 600 institutions host a 3MT competition annually in 63 countries. On April 18, eleven student representatives from universities from throughout Quebec, Newfoundland, and the Maritimes will compete to advance to the CAGS national competition. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will advance to the CAGS national competition. 

Jay Olson (Ph.D. Psychiatry) won the McGill University-wide competition on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 with his entry “Placebo machines to treat migraines and ADHD” and will be the university’s representative for the Canadian Eastern Regional.

At the age of 5, a magician pulled a coin out of Jay Olson's ear. He was fascinated -- and two years later, he started performing magic himself. Later, during his career as a professional magician, Jay sat in on a friend's psychology class and noticed that many of the ideas taught were similar to what he had learned in magic. This led him to research the psychology behind magic, and he now uses his knowledge as a magician to enhance healing and placebo effects. In his PhD in Psychiatry, Jay adds a little magic to modern medicine.

More information on the Canadian Eastern Regional Competition:

More information on McGill’s 3MT Competition:

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