Savannah Gutsch, doctoral student in the Department of Physical Therapy, wins runner-up at Marquette’s Three Minute Thesis competition

Marquette University doctoral student Savannah Gutsch was named runner-up in the university's Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, an achievement that highlights her ability to translate complex scientific research into clear, engaging communication for a broad audience.

Gutsch, a fourth-year Ph.D. student in the Exercise and Rehabilitation Science program within the Department of Physical Therapy, focuses her research on reducing pain during exercise for older adults. "My research seeks to investigate how pain can be reduced during exercise for older adults, many of whom are burdened with debilitating pain that limits physical functioning," she said.

Her work uses a creative and somewhat counterintuitive approach. Participants perform leg exercises until they reach moderate pain, briefly increase intensity to worsen the pain, and then return to the original level. Despite the temporary increase, many participants experience a noticeable reduction in pain afterward. "Simply put, we can reduce pain during exercise by temporarily making pain worse," Gutsch explained.

Gutsch's interest in this field stems from her experience as a physical therapist working with older adults. She saw firsthand how pain and functional limitations prevented many individuals from fully participating in their daily lives. "I decided to pursue my Ph.D. to create interesting ways to reduce pain using non-pharmacological techniques, such as exercise," she said.

Her research has important implications for aging populations. As individuals grow older, they often experience increased pain, reduced physical activity and declining strength. By reducing pain during exercise, Gutsch's work aims to improve both participation and adherence to physical activity, ultimately supporting better overall health and quality of life.

Gutsch first came to Marquette through the direct-admit Doctor of Physical Therapy program, where she completed her undergraduate degree in Exercise Physiology and trained as a physical therapist. She chose to continue her doctoral studies at Marquette because of the strength of its faculty and research programs. "The faculty and research programs within our department are top-notch, so I knew I could continue to learn a lot here," she said.

She credits her mentor, Dr. Marie Hoeger Bement, for playing a key role in her development as a researcher and clinician-scientist. As director of the pain research lab, Bement has supported Gutsch's focus on pain and aging research while also encouraging her to build skills in teaching and science communication.

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition challenges graduate students to present their research in just three minutes to a general audience. For Gutsch, the experience strengthened her ability to communicate her work effectively. "My ability to communicate my research to anyone I speak with has greatly improved my confidence with communication at conferences, in written manuscripts and when giving presentations," she said.

She encourages other graduate students to participate in the competition, even if it feels intimidating. "Don't be afraid to put yourself out there to do something terrifying," she said.

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