When Justine Alvarado opened her Three Minute Thesis (3MT) presentation with the question, “When I look at myself in the mirror, do I even know who’s staring back at me?” she was capturing a struggle at the heart of a generation shaped by social media. 

The Master of Science in Psychology student won first place at Trent’s 3MT competition, organized annually by Traill College and Academic Skills, with a compelling exploration of how digital reflections influence self-identity.  

Justine’s journey into psychology began during her undergraduate degree in criminology, when a decision to minor in forensic psychology sparked a shift.   

“I became fascinated by why we think the way we do, how our experiences shape us, and how we come to understand ourselves,” she explained. 

That curiosity has since evolved into graduate research that feels increasingly urgent in a digital world. Justine’s work, supervised by Psychology professor Dr. Nancie Im-Bolter, examines the complex relationship between online engagement, body image, and sense of self in young adults. 

“By better understanding how social media affects the way young adults perceive themselves, I hope to contribute to strategies that support healthier coping and help reduce the negative impacts tied to body image” she explains. “3MT really challenged me to communicate my research clearly and meaningfully, so it’s been an incredibly valuable experience.” 

Justine was one of three winning presenters at 3MT and, as the first-place winner, will go on to represent Trent at the regional competition. 

Mutsa Danzvara, Master of Arts in Sustainability Studies student, placed second overall and won the Audience Choice Award for her captivating presentation on barriers to development in Zimbabwe, with a focus on sanctions, energy production, and policy insights. 

Third place was awarded to Master of Science in Psychology student Hadia Mustansir, who engaged the audience by inviting them to spot differences between two similar images while explaining the effects of stress on memory and learning.