Integrating the Life Sciences from Molecule to Organism Advice for Presenting and Attending Poster Sessions American Physiological Society

Integrating the Life Sciences from Molecule to Organism Advice for Attending Posters Great way to meet people – even big names Try to network. Introduce yourself! Read/understand at your pace Ask questions of researcher one-on-one Favorite of past undergraduate attendees

Integrating the Life Sciences from Molecule to Organism If You Are Presenting a Poster Dress professionally but comfortably Remember, you want to impress them with your mind Low heels, no new shoes No or minimal perfume/cologne Be ready to talk to people Have breath mints and water within reach No chewing gum or tobacco Think about what you’re eating (no garlic, onion) Be ready to meet people Remember to smile Keep your hands out of your pockets Don’t sit down when people are coming by

Integrating the Life Sciences from Molecule to Organism Things to Bring to Your Poster Session Extra pins for hanging poster Notebook or cards and pen(s) Black marking pen (Sharpie) and correction tape for embarrassing typos or omissions Ideas, information, or people’s contact info A friend to assist you in putting up your poster If you need to leave your poster, put a note up telling people a time when you will return

Integrating the Life Sciences from Molecule to Organism Things to Bring – Optional Small copies of poster and/or abstract

Integrating the Life Sciences from Molecule to Organism Types of Viewers Walk-by Brief methods question only Big picture only Main finding, bottom line Read only Very interested Multiple listeners Aggressive or critical questioners or commenter's

Integrating the Life Sciences from Molecule to Organism Versions of Poster Talks You need to have prepared & practiced 0.5-, 2-, and 5-minute poster talks for different types of viewers Tell viewers Your question and why it is important Explain your hypothesis and what you did to test it What you found Explain the applications of your research findings

Integrating the Life Sciences from Molecule to Organism Tips Talk to the viewer, not the poster Point to specific parts on the poster to help lead viewers through it Carefully walk your viewer through your figures Remember to speak slowly and clearly Especially if English is not your first language or that of the person with whom you are talking (EB is an international meeting) Remember to speak loudly enough to be heard if there is much noise in the room

Integrating the Life Sciences from Molecule to Organism Tips - continued Don’t be intimidated by people asking questions Be confident, but teachable Answer questions the best you can Don't be afraid to say you don't know or haven't looked at that, but it is a good idea Remember to thank your viewers for stopping to see your poster Be careful and keep to science You don’t know who is on the other side of the poster boards and listening! You don’t know who is friends with whom Don’t tell jokes or get sidetracked on politics or religion

Integrating the Life Sciences from Molecule to Organism Ending a Conversation If a person visiting your poster won’t leave Say thank you (shake hands, if appropriate) Ask for an address to continue the conversation If others are waiting to talk to you, excuse yourself and ask if they have questions, still keeping the person in the conversation loop

Integrating the Life Sciences from Molecule to Organism After the Meeting Discuss helpful comments you got with your advisor Contact people Who wanted additional information or reprints For additional information you wanted Good networking opportunity!

Integrating the Life Sciences from Molecule to Organism And Finally Congratulate yourself on a job well done!