Ph.D. Student Kayla Ahlness Wins 3MT® People’s Choice Award for Primate Research

For a second year in a row, Ph.D. student Kayla Ahlness took home a top prize in the university’s ninth annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition, hosted by Florida Atlantic’s Graduate College, in March. More than 350 online votes submitted by public viewers selected Ahlness as the Championship People’s Choice Award winner for her presentation on, “When Two Become One: Investigating the Behavior of Hybrid African Monkeys.” She also earned second runner-up in Heat 1, as well as the People’s Choice award in Heat 1. Her combined winnings totaled $2,250 in scholarship funding.   

“It is an exhilarating experience regardless of placement. The competition is fierce because everyone participating is doing such cool and impactful research, not to mention the rigor of the time constraint,” expressed Ahlness. “It is really an honor to share the stage with my fellow Owls and be able to appreciate each other in a friendly and competitive environment. Winning is just icing on the cake.” 

Last year, Ahlness was the FAU championship winner and recipient of the Dr. Eric H. Shaw 3MT® Championship Endowment Award. Her winning presentation, titled “Why You Buggin’ Out: Does Seasonality Drive Insectivory in a Mixed-Species Group of African Monkeys?” also earned the People’s Choice Award at the 2024 Conference of Florida Graduate Schools.  

“I have competed two years in a row, and it was easier this year than last,” shared Ahlness. “I think the more you know your own work and the more you talk to people about it in your daily life, the more natural the translation becomes. The time constraint is always the most challenging; condensing my entire dissertation into three minutes, while maintaining intrigue and impact, is tough. Many brainstorming sessions go into creating my ‘script.’” 

As a first-year student in the integrative biology doctoral program, Ahlness is continuing her research on primate ecology with faculty supervisor Kate Detwiler, Ph.D., an associate professor of biological sciences in the Schmidt College of Science. Ahlness had the rare opportunity join Detwiler’s research on the monkey population in Gombe National Park in Tanzania Africa for her undergraduate and master’s theses. 

Her particular area of interest is learning more about their hybridization, diet and movement. Specifically, she is focusing on two African monkey species that successfully hybridize, and the hybrids have displayed some interesting dietary habits that may differ from their parental species. 

“The topic of hybridization presents bigger inquiries about speciation and evolution,” explained Ahlness. “While speciation of primates is not an overnight phenomenon, we are witnessing and documenting behavior that might be beneficial for future generations of primatologists. Additionally, the more we understand animal ecology and behavior, the better advocates we become in the discussion of conservation. We share this planet with many organisms, and I want to be on the right side of saving our species and our planet.” 

Ahlness began her path to anthropology as an outstanding undergraduate student. She graduated summa cum laude when she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in 2022. She went on to receive her Master of Science degree in biology in 2024. 

For those students who hope to compete next year, Ahlness had this advice: “Do it. Don’t overthink it. Just sign up. It is absolutely worth it, and you will have a new experience to look forward to!” 

Watch Ahlness’s 2025 3MT® presentation here.