Illinois Society for Microbiology – Poster Competition

The Illinois Society for Microbiology would like to offer opportunities to Illinois microbiology students and ISM members to submit their research findings in a poster format for presentation at our Spring 2008 meeting. This competition will also provide microbiological and clinical laboratory educational programs an opportunity to showcase their “best and brightest” microbiology students and provide students with a chance to present their findings and to win a cash prize for their efforts. Additionally, members are invited to show any research efforts they have made in this competition.

There will be two categories of posters – (1) peer-reviewed, open to graduate students and practicing professionals, and (2) undergraduate student.

Professional ISM members and graduate students will submit a poster to the Abstract Review Committee (ARC).  All abstracts will be peer-reviewed .Those abstracts for poster presentation that are accepted will be displayed during the ISM Spring meeting and will be automatically entered in the competition, unless otherwise indicated by the presenting author on the abstract submission form. The presenter must be registered for the meeting and be present during the judging of the posters (Thursday, Feb 28, 2008 between 10:30 AM and 1:30PM.)

Undergraduate students are also invited to submit a poster presentation to be displayed during the conference on Thursday Feb 28, 2008 between 10:30 AM and 1:30PM. Poster presentations will be judged during the meeting and the winner will also be announced at the meeting. The student presenter must be registered for the meeting and be present during the judging of the posters.

The posters will be judged and the winners for a graduate student/ member and for undergraduate student will be announced at the ISM Spring 2008 meeting. Submission guidelines and instructions follow. The winner of each category will also receive a one-year membership in ISM. Questions regarding the poster competitions should be directed to Kristy Shanahan (kristy.shanahan@rosalindfranklin.edu).

ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS:

(1) Any current ISM member

(2)Undergraduate students with a project in microbiology

(3)Graduate students with a project in microbiology

AWARDS:

Awards will be given for the best undergraduate student and the best graduate student/professional poster. Cash prizes will be awarded (1st prize award is $100).  A complimentary year’s membership to ISM will also be included with the prize.

Send abstract to: Dick Gottschall (gottsch345@nethere.com)

Abstract Preparation and Submission Instructions

Preparation of abstracts

The following must be included in the abstract:

Title: Use a title that reflects abstract content and is as succinct as possible. Capitalize the first letter of the first word of the title and put the title in boldface type. Use scientific genus and species names of organisms. Do not use acronyms, abbreviations, and initials in a title.

Author/Institution: List the presenting author(s) first, in boldface type. When multiple authors submit an abstract, clearly identify one contact author and provide complete contact information. Limit academic degrees to highest degree earned, master and doctoral degrees only. List author institution affiliation (excluding department or division information) below each author’s name, followed by the city and state of the institution, except when authors share the same institutional affiliation, in which it can be listed at the end of their names.

Abstract Content: All abstracts must be typed double-spaced on plain paper; Courier is the recommended font, 12-point type. Abstract text format is flush left. Text length (not including title and author information) must be at least 100, not to exceed 200 words. To encourage consistency in style, you may wish to refer to the guidelines in Scientific Style and Format – The Council of Biology Editors Manual for Authors, Editors, and Publishers, 6th Edition (http://www.councilscienceeditors.org/publications/style.cfm).

Abstract Proposal Submission

  • All abstract proposals must be submitted electronically (Word or WordPerfect or text file) with a cover sheet including the submitting author’s name, institution, address, phone number and e-mail address. Also include on the cover sheet whether you are a student and if so, what grade level (undergraduate freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior, or mater’s level, or doctoral level). Follow above instructions for preparation and submission of the abstract. 
  • Only abstracts submitted electronically will be considered for review; mailed copies are NOT needed. Email the abstract & cover sheet to: Dick Gottschall (gottsch345@nethere.com) at least one week prior to the meeting.

Review, Acceptance, and Notification

Members of the Abstract Review Committee review all abstract submissions. Authors will receive electronic response of abstract acceptance/rejection prior to the meeting.

Poster Presentations and Poster display provisions

Each oral presentation is limited to 15 minutes. Please be available during the 10:30 AM to 1:30PM judging time on February 28, 2008.  Poster presentations should be on an approximately 4-foot-high x 8-foot-wide bulletin board to display a summary of the research project.

Cash prizes will be awarded only to authors of those posters actually displayed at the ISM Spring 2008 Meeting.

Questions

Questions regarding these instructions should be directed to

Kristy Shanahan (mailto:kristy.shanahan@rosalindfranklin.edu)