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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 and in the surrounding medical and scientific communities. The Symposium provides a forum for the collaboration of ideas, the production of new hypotheses, and demonstrates to attendees the critical role that research plays in the advancements 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 presenting author(s) (students, residents, and postdocs only) with the best quality oral abstract and poster presentation.

New this year! The Symposium will also feature a scientific photo exhibit and contest for faculty, staff and students.

DMU will recognize faculty, clinicians and staff who have demonstrated research and scholarly excellence over the past year. The awards will focus on researchers who have had an impact on advancing knowledge in science, health, education, wellness or other field of study. Faculty will also be recognized for their exceptional scholarly achievements, as evidenced by publications and/or other scholarly activities.

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.

Agenda

* Locations to be determined after abstract submissions have closed. 

Be a part of the first Scientific Photo Exhibition!

During the Research Symposium, we will have the opportunity for faculty, students and staff to display photos of their research.  Whether it is a microscopic image or images around a lab or in the environment, submit a photo which visually depicts your research. With the photo, please include name(s), department, project title and a description of the photo (max 150 words).

Photos should be:

• Black and white or color 
• In its original state; no modifications to the picture
• At least 300 dpi (or 1500 x 1500 pixels) 
• A maximum file size of 4 Mb 
• In a JPEG, TIFF, PNG, or GIF file format

Submit your scientific photo. (closed)

Oral Presentations

Four abstracts will be selected to give an oral presentation. 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. Awards will be given to the winning presenting author(s) (students, residents, and postdocs only).

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. 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
• Introduction: Preparing Talks by University of Kansas Medical Center
• PowerPoint: Presentation Tips by Bates College
• PowerPoint: Guides, Tips and Help by Dartmouth Biomedical Libraries

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, residents, and postdocs only).

Resources

• Preparing an Effective Poster Presentation
• Creating Effective Poster Presentations by North Carolina State University

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 – 2:30 pm. Even numbered student/resident posters will be judged from 2:30 – 3:15 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 21.

Printing Guidelines

• Optional: Select from six DMU approved research poster 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, December 3 by 3 pm. 
• The poster will not be reviewed for academic content.
• The print shop is located on the second floor of the DMU clinic. 
• For poster printing questions, please contact Brenda at 515-271-1402.

Abstract Guidelines

Research abstracts must be submitted under one of the following categories:

• Anatomy/Paleontology
• Biomedical Science
• Clinical 
• Education
• Movement Science
• Public Health

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.

View an 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?

Faculty Research Awards

DMU will recognize faculty and clinicians who have demonstrated research and scholarly excellence over the past year. The awards will focus on researchers who have had an impact on advancing knowledge in science, health, education, wellness or other field of study. Faculty will also be recognized for their exceptional scholarly achievements, as evidenced by publications and/or other scholarly activities.

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.

Dress

Business casual.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

2019-2020 Mentored Student Research Program

Applications for the 2019-2020 Mentored Student Research Program will be available on Thursday, December 6, 2018. All application materials are due no later than February 11, 2019 at 8 am. Visit the Office of Research website for more information and to submit your application.