1. How to make and present a poster aka ‘Postermanship’
Ellen M. Carpenter, Ph.D.
Stephanie A. White, Ph.D.
Elizabeth Fraley, B.S.

2. What is a scientific poster?

3. What is a scientific poster?
An organized visual display of your research project and findings
A way to share findings at a meeting, conference or in your department
An opportunity to get real time feedback and questions
A chance to reach out to the larger scientific community outside of your lab!

4. Posters should be self-explanatory
Posters should be concise

5. Necessary components Title/author(s) Abstract Background/significance
Data/figures
Summary/conclusions

6. Your poster should contain:

7. Optional components Methods/approaches Future directions References
Acknowledgements (include people who helped and funding sources. Do not acknowledge authors.)

8. Your Brilliant and Inspiring (but not overly long) Title
Authors: You (first), your mentor (last), anyone else you worked with (in the middle)
Department and Institution
Abstract
Data figure
Conclusions
(bullet points)
Figure legend
Table title
Background Information
XXX yyy zzz 222
Aaa bbb ccc 777 ccc n/a ddd kkk
Future directions
explanation
Figure legend
Background Information/Methods, etc.
Data figure
Data figure
References
Acknowledgements

10. How to put your poster together
First, ask your mentor or someone in your lab if the lab has a particular format you should use
If not, use the guidelines on the URC Science website for assistance

11. PhD Comics

12. Or use a flash drive.

13. • Important information should be readable from about 8-10 feet away
• Title is short and draws interest
• Word count of about 300 to 800 words
• Use of bullets, numbering, and headlines make it easy to read
• Effective use of graphics, color and fonts
• Consistent and clean layout

23. Your abstract
Due Friday, May 4, 2018 by 5 PM. Use the Google submission form on the website:
Must be written in collaboration with and approved by your mentor BEFORE you turn it in

24. What is an abstract? A summary of the research to be presented
Abstracts should be about words

25. General abstract guidelines
Introductory sentence(s)
Statement of hypothesis
General methods/procedures used
Primary result(s)
Primary conclusion
General statement of the significance of the research

26. A timeline
Give your mentor a draft of your abstract by April 27, so you have a week to revise and rewrite.
Abstracts are due May 4.
Start work on your figures and poster text by May 10. Assemble the figures and go over them with your mentor.
Start assembling your powerpoint file on May 16. This will take several days, particularly to get figures correctly sized and imported.
Print your poster at least one day in advance.
Practice your presentation (aim for 10 minutes).
Hang your poster up on May 23 and enjoy your moment of glory.

27. Your presentation 10-15 minutes of talking (practice this beforehand)
Be concise and specific
Gauge the knowledge of your audience and tailor your presentation appropriately
Be prepared to answer questions
What is the significance of your research?
What is your contribution to the project?

28. • Know your audience: are you at a general meeting or specific type of conference?
• Ask if people want the short or long version
•Tell it like a story:
1. Beginning (background, problem/research question)
2. Middle (your findings, problems overcome)
3. End (conclusions, new questions arising from your work/next directions)
• Don't use your phone or leave poster during your scheduled presentation time
• Be enthusiastic and greet people as they join- but do not start over when a new person joins. Let them know you will circle back
• Do not read directly from the poster
• Make sure your audience is following along (ask them if you’ve explained it well enough)
• Dress (somewhat) professionally, and be on time!

29. Caveats Every student must have their own poster and their own project
Don’t make up answers to questions that you don’t know the answer to – saying “I don’t know, but I’d be happy to get back to you with an answer later” is fine
Don’t take credit for someone else’s work

30. What makes a good poster presentation?
UCLA photos: Joe Simon, BS

31. Be proud of your work! You have worked hard in a lab, and this is your chance to shine!