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

What is a scientific poster?

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!

Posters should be self-explanatory Posters should be concise

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

Your poster should contain:

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

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

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 www.ugresearchsci.ucla.edu/spdinstructions.htm

PhD Comics

Or use a flash drive.

• 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

Your abstract Due Friday, May 4, 2018 by 5 PM. Use the Google submission form on the website: http://www.neurosci.ucla.edu/neuroscience-poster-day.html Must be written in collaboration with and approved by your mentor BEFORE you turn it in

What is an abstract? A summary of the research to be presented Abstracts should be about 200-250 words

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

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.

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?

• 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!

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

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

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