The ability to anticipate an epileptic seizure before it happens could change how people living with the condition prepare for and manage its effects. That possibility formed the centre of Nigerian researcher Peter Akor’s presentation at a major UK academic competition, where he secured two of its top honours.
A postgraduate researcher at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU), Scotland, Akor won both the Judges’ Choice and People’s Choice awards at the 2026 Vitae Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, distinguishing himself among postgraduate researchers from across the United Kingdom.
His presentation, titled “The Minutes That Matter: Transforming Epileptic Seizure Care from Reaction to Prediction,” examined how technology and data could be used to predict epileptic seizures before they occur. The approach has the potential to improve safety, support treatment decisions and enhance the quality of life of people living with epilepsy.
Rather than focusing solely on responding to seizures after they begin, the research explored the possibilities of anticipating them. Such a shift could give patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals valuable time to prepare, although the practical benefits would depend on how effectively seizure prediction methods can be developed and applied.
Akor represented the School of Science and Engineering at Glasgow Caledonian University in the final, where he competed against five other postgraduate researchers. His presentation had to communicate the substance of his research within the competition’s three-minute format, a challenge that requires participants to make specialised academic work accessible to a diverse audience.
The competition also featured another Nigerian postgraduate researcher from the same university. Abisola Ijaodola, also of GCU’s School of Science and Engineering, presented “Developing a Climate Just Finance Framework for Glasgow.” Her participation brought a second Nigerian researcher into a final featuring work on distinct but socially relevant challenges.
Akor later described the calibre of the competition.
“I competed with researchers from Oxford, Kings College, Surrey, Reading and Westminster in the finals,” he said.
Akor’s double victory placed his presentation at the top of both the judges’ assessment and the audience vote.
Vitae is a UK higher education organisation that supports researchers. Its Three Minute Thesis competition challenges postgraduate researchers to explain their work clearly and compellingly within a tightly limited presentation time, allowing audiences beyond their specialist fields to understand the purpose and potential value of their research.
Akor’s success brings attention to research exploring how technological advances could address practical healthcare needs. Epilepsy affects the daily lives of people who must manage the uncertainty of seizures, making the prospect of better prediction an important area of investigation.
His achievement, alongside Ijaodola’s participation, also highlights the breadth of research being undertaken by Nigerians in international academic institutions. Their work spans healthcare technology and climate-related financial frameworks, demonstrating how Nigerian researchers are engaging with questions that have implications for individuals, communities and public policy.
Winning both awards at the 2026 Vitae Three Minute Thesis competition marks an important academic accomplishment for Akor. His presentation has also brought more attention to a vital research question: whether data and technology can help transform epilepsy care by providing earlier indications of seizures and creating more opportunities for preparation and intervention.
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