Department of Biology doctoral candidate Nimalka Weerasuriya has won the College of Arts and Sciences Three Minute Thesis competition with their presentation “Microbe vision: using hyperspectral imagery to track changes across grasslands.”

"I was very surprised by the result,” Weerasuriya said. “There were many excellent presenters who I was convinced would boot me out of the top 5.”

Weerasuriya’s research focuses on using specialized imaging technology to monitor the health of grassland ecosystems. Weerasuriya’s team is advised by Dr. Benedicte Bachelot, an associate professor of biology, and collaborates with the OSU Department of Geography. The team uses hyperspectral images captured by drones and airplanes to study how fire and grazing affect plants, soil and microbial communities in Oklahoma’s tallgrass prairie.

By comparing those images with ground-based data, the researchers are developing models that could help scientists monitor changes both above and below the soil surface, providing a more efficient way to assess grassland health.

Weerasuriya, who began their doctoral studies at OSU in fall 2025, spent two weeks preparing for the competition. Weerasuriya revised their presentation four times and practiced as many as 20 times a day in the days leading up to each round.

“3MT is a tricky balance between generality, details and having a compelling story,” Weerasuriya said. “I don't think I would have gotten this far without the two info sessions that the Graduate College put on to help us prepare.

“I can't forget the support from my lab group, Dr. Bachelot, and my very patient partner who, unfortunately, had to sit facing the wall with the timer while I practiced in the living room.”

Weerasuriya will represent the College of Arts and Sciences at Oklahoma State University’s Three Minute Thesis universitywide final round on Thursday, Oct. 29.