The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition doesn’t just celebrate great research. It sharpens the skills of our students, helping bring their research to life. Mahmoud, winner of the 2025 People’s Choice award, stepped up to the challenge, summarising years of complex PhD work into a concise, compelling three-minute pitch.
Mahmoud, PhD student in Biomedicine, Department of Biology
The future of healing
“Let me tell you a bit about my research. You might have broken a bone before, or maybe not. But did you know that 50% of children experience at least one bone fracture before they turn 18? So, chances are, you or someone you know has gone through it at least once.
“I’m working on understanding how bones heal, with the goal of helping them heal faster and better in the future.”
Super stem cells
“In our bodies, we have stem cells, kind of like the body’s natural repair crew, and some of them live in our bones. These are the cells I work with every day. I grow them outside the body in the lab using special techniques, trying to mimic the conditions they would experience inside us. Then I study how these stem cells turn into bone cells.
“I focus specifically on genes; tiny switches inside our cells that can be turned on or off to control what a cell does. As my stem cells transform into bone cells, some genes switch on and some switch off, and I track these changes using a method called RNA sequencing. This allows me to capture exactly which genes are active during the transformation process.
“Why does this matter? Because understanding these gene changes can lead to new targets for treatments that would speed up bone healing, treat diseases like osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, and even help in the treatment of bone cancers. This kind of research has the power to change lives.”
About me
“My journey started after I completed my veterinary medicine degree at Kafrelsheikh University in Egypt. I began working with animals, helping them live better lives, but something felt missing. I wanted to make a bigger, more meaningful impact, beyond helping one animal at a time.
“As the top graduate of my class in 2017, I was appointed through a government contract as a Teaching Assistant in the Department of Cytology and Histology (where we teach cell and tissue biology). That’s when I was introduced to research for the first time.
“I pursued a Master’s degree where I worked with a fascinating group of cells in our body called stem cells. That’s when it clicked. I felt a unique excitement about working with the most fundamental level of life (cells), and I realised that there is a possibility, through my research, of making discoveries that could change the world.”
Coming to York
“After finishing my Master’s degree, I began searching for a PhD position that was as relevant to my previous work as possible. There was a great opportunity at the renowned Genever Lab at the University of York, under the supervision of Professor Paul Genever and Professor Dani Ungar.
“I was fortunate to receive a full scholarship for the entire PhD program, funded by the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education. I was one of the first PhD students to enrol on the Biomedical Science Postgraduate Research programme.
“When I looked into York, I was delighted to discover that it was known for being a friendly, diverse, and peaceful city. And that has proven to be completely true. I’m now living that experience and enjoying every moment.
“The Biology Department at the University of York stood out to me. It had a strong reputation in scientific research and new, cutting-edge research facilities.
“Choosing York was an easy decision; it felt like the perfect fit. And it truly is.”
Gaining skills and experience
“In the third year of my PhD, Professor Paul Genever, the Biomedical Science Program Director and my primary supervisor, sent out an email to all graduate students about a competition called “Three Minute Thesis”.
“The challenge was to present your research in the simplest terms possible, in just three minutes. I was excited and eager to take part, curious about what I could learn from the experience. It turned out to be an incredible opportunity!
“Participating in the 3MT helped me develop several key skills that are valuable for me, both academically and professionally. In addition, I connected with amazing colleagues from different departments and gained insight into their remarkable research.”
Communication
“I learned how to communicate complex research in a concise, clear, and engaging way for a non-specialist audience. Summing up my work into a three-minute pitch taught me to focus on the core message and relevance of my research, avoiding technical terms while still conveying depth and significance.
“I also improved my public speaking and presentation skills. Practicing for a strict time limit made me realise the importance of pacing, tone, and body language when presenting, to maintain the audience’s engagement.”
Broader impact
“Additionally, the experience helped me better understand the broader impact of my research. It pushed me to think about the “so what?” question. Why my work matters and how it contributes to society and the field.
“I ended up winning the People’s Choice Award and placed second in the competition.”
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