UND energy engineering student advances to national thesis showcase
Rachael Josephs, UND energy engineering student, will compete on national stage in December following impressive regional finish
“Imagine losing 60% of your income because there’s no bank to save it in. That’s exactly what’s happening with wind energy.”
That was one of the statements made by Rachael Josephs, a doctoral student in energy engineering, back at UND’s Three Minute Thesis Competition in January.
“Over 60% of wind energy is wasted because we lack the infrastructure to store it,” Josephs explained.
Her presentation about a promising wind energy storage solution leveraging the salt layers under our feet earned Josephs first place at UND’s Three Minute Thesis Competition, propelling her forward to the regional competition.
But the achievements didn’t stop there.
Her compelling three-minute presentation titled “Hydrogen Banks Beneath Our Feet: Transforming Waste to Wealth” secured her second place at the regional competition in Denver, Colorado.
Inventiveness and expert insight—as displayed by Josephs—are skills that the UND Department of Energy & Petroleum Engineering embodies in its mission. The Energy Engineering program champions a well-balanced education and research platform, empowering graduates to meet the diverse needs of the current dynamic energy market.
Next stop? Nationals.
Her engaging performance has earned her a spot at the upcoming Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) 3MT National Showcase in Washington, D.C.
Josephs’s national competition appearance will mark an exciting moment for UND as she competes among top graduate students nationwide.
“Rachael is a tremendous individual with a clear vision of where she wants to go,” said Richard Schultz, Continental Resources Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Energy & Petroleum Engineering. “As her Ph.D. advisor, I am proud to have the opportunity to work with Rachael and know that she will go far.”
The Three Minute Thesis Competition is a series that challenges graduate students to articulate their complex research in merely a few minutes. Founded by the University of Queensland, Australia, it has become a highly anticipated event held at institutions worldwide. The event encourages students to refine their communication skills by presenting their research concisely and engagingly.
“I am excited to advance to the nationals and represent the College of Engineering & Mines and UND on the national stage,” says Josephs.
The national showcase will occur in Washington, D.C., on December 3-6, 2025.
Written by Paige Prekker // UND College of Engineering & Mines
