Classes are not scheduled so all students and faculty can attend and participate. Lunch and afternoon refreshments will be served.

The Research Symposium aims to recognize the research efforts of those at Des Moines University (DMU) and in the surrounding medical and scientific community by providing a forum for the collaboration of ideas, the production of new hypotheses, and to demonstrate to the attendees the critical role that research plays in the advancement of health care.

All students and faculty are encouraged to develop research projects to be presented at the Symposium. Awards will be given to the winning presenting author(s) (students and residents only) with the best quality oral abstract and poster presentation.

Quick Links

Target Audience

DMU faculty, staff, students, residents, alumni, external researchers and health professionals from the Des Moines area and surrounding medical and scientific community are invited to participate and present. All students, faculty, and residents are encouraged to develop research projects to be presented at the Symposium. 

Keynote Speaker

J. Michael Oakes, PhD
Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Community Health at the University of Minnesota

Dr. J. Michael Oakes is an Associate Professor in the Division of Epidemiology and Community Health at the University of Minnesota. He directs the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s National Program Center for Interdisciplinary Research and is Co-Director of the University’s Federal Statistics Research Data Center. Dr. Oakes’s professional interests center on research methodology, social epidemiology, and research ethics. He is an active researcher and frequent principal investigator on a wide variety of studies addressing methodological, health, and ethical problems. Dr. Oakes has authored over 110 papers exploring problems at the intersection of the social and biomedical sciences. His first text Methods In Social Epidemiology was released in 2006 (second edition is forthcoming). He teaches several graduate-level courses in statistical methods and social epidemiology. Dr. Oakes has chaired an IRB panel for more than 15 years. For five years he served as Co-Chair of the University of Minnesota’s Human Research Protection Program and its Conflict of Interest committee. Dr. Oakes also serves on the National Bone Marrow Donor Program IRB and has been active in national training and discussions on protection of human research subjects. Full biography.

Dr. Oakes indicated he has nothing to disclose relevant to the content of this educational activity.

Agenda

Oral Presentations

If the work is co-authored, only the PRESENTING author will submit on behalf of all co-authors. The names of all co-authors must be listed in the submission form. Awards will be given to the winning presenting author(s) (students and residents only).

Presentations will be organized into sessions grouped by topics or disciplines with each presenter allotted 10 minutes to speak and 2 minutes for audience questions. For work with multiple authors, the authors can decide among themselves their various roles in presenting within the 12 minute limit. A moderator keeps track of your presentation time and may also facilitate the discussion. Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 will be used to project slides. Please make sure your presentation is compatible with this program. If you prefer to use a MAC computer or have video files, arrangements must be made prior to the program and you will be responsible for bringing an adaptor. Please contact DMU CME at cme@dmu.edu or 515-271-1596. Presentation and video files should be stored on USB drives.

Resources

• Preparing an Effective Oral Presentation
• www.kumc.edu/SAH/OTEd/jradel/Preparing_talks/TalkStrt.html
• http://www.etsu.edu/scitech/langskil/oral.htm
• http://www.bates.edu/ils/2011/how-do-i/software/powerpoint-presentation-tips/
• http://www.dartmouth.edu/~library/biomed/guides/powerpoint.html?mswitch-redir=classic

Poster Presentations

If the work is co-authored, only the PRESENTING author will submit on behalf of all co-authors. The names of all co-authors must be listed in the submission form. Prizes will be awarded to the winning presenting author(s) (students and residents only).

Resources

• Preparing an Effective Poster Presentation
• http://www.ncsu.edu/project/posters/

POSTER GUIDELINES

• Materials to hang your poster will be available onsite.
• Posters are displayed throughout the day. Please do not remove your poster until the end of the day’s activities.
• Posters must be hung by 8:30 am and removed by 5:30 pm. If you’re able, please hang your poster as early as possible as we encourage people to view them the entire day.
• Odd numbered student/resident posters will be judged from 1:45 – 2:45 pm. Even numbered student/resident posters will be judged from 2:45 – 3:45 pm. 
• Prepare and practice a short summary speech—no more than 3 minutes—about your project. This is an excellent networking opportunity, so it is important to speak and interact professionally. You will receive lots of feedback and exposure as well.
• Any remaining posters will be kept in the CME office (AC #430) until December 18.

PRINTING GUIDELINES – DMU STUDENTS, STAFF AND FACULTY ONLY

• Optional: Click here to choose from six DMU approved research templates.
• Posters for the symposium must be printed at the DMU print shop and emailed to printshop@dmu.edu.  
• Download the print shop order form. 
• Please print in seminar presentation size 42” x 54.35” (non-matted and non-laminated).
• The account number to use for printing costs is #110-1435-50943.
• Posters will need to be submitted to the print shop and proofs signed by Monday, November 30 at 3 pm.
• The poster will not be reviewed for academic content.
• For poster printing questions, please contact Brenda at 515-271-1402.

IRB or IACUC Approval

If your project involves human or animal research, you must have obtained IRB or IACUC approval, unless you are clearly presenting your work as a proposed project and make it clear that absolutely no research has yet been conducted. Posters involving such research should indicate an approval number or state that no research has been conducted. Anyone giving an oral presentation on a project involving human or animal research must have an IRB or IACUC approval. For questions, please contact the DMU Office of Research at 515-271-1445.

Abstract Guidelines

All abstracts will be published in the meeting program. Please submit your abstract according to the following guidelines:

• Format: Microsoft Word format
• Font: Arial, 11 point
• Margins: 1 inch on all sides
• Spacing: Single-spaced
• Justification: Left
• Abstract body length: No more than 250 words
• Type the title first, using title casing.
• Capitalize the first letter of each word except prepositions, articles and species names. Italicize scientific names of organisms.
• List all authors, institutional affiliations and short addresses (city and state only).
• Bold the names of the author(s) presenting the work.

Abstract Example

Submit Your Abstract - CLOSED

Writing Tips

Consider the following questions when preparing your abstract:

• Does the abstract clearly state the aim of the project (i.e. a research question, theoretical issue, or problem)?
• Is the significance of work clearly stated?
• If relevant, are the methods, data collection, and analysis procedures well-designed and appropriate to the question addressed?
• Are the conclusions justified in relation to the data and/or analysis/description?
• Is the abstract written clearly and organized well?

Dress

Business casual.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions regarding the DMU Research Symposium? Click here. If your question isn’t answered, please contact DMU CME at cme@dmu.edu or 515-271-1596.

2016-2017 Mentored Student Research Program

Applications for the 2016-2017 Mentored Student Research Program will be available on Thursday, December 3, 2015. All application materials are due no later than Friday, January 29, 2016. Visit the Office of Research website for more information and to submit your application. 

Continuing Education Credit

• DPM: Des Moines University (DMU) is approved by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education as a provider of continuing education in podiatric medicine. DMU has approved this activity for a maximum of 4.0 continuing education contact hours.
• DO: Des Moines University is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) and approves this live activity for 4.0 AOA Category 2-A CME credit(s).
• MD: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Iowa Medical Society (IMS). Des Moines University (DMU) is accredited by the IMS to provide continuing medical education for physicians. DMU designates this live activity for 4.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
• Nurse: Des Moines University is Iowa Board of Nursing approved provider #112. This live activity has been reviewed and approved for 4.8 continuing education contact hour(s). No partial credit awarded.
• Other Professionals: This live activity is designated for 4.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.

Commercial Support

Educational grants are not being accepted for this activity.