Registration

Registration

When you are ready to register for the symposium, click here or the button below. The registration page will allow you to register ahead of time for the symposium, apply to participate in the Science Communication Workshop Series, and submit an abstract for a poster and Lightning Talk (more information provided below).

Lightning Talks

At this year’s Postdoctoral Symposium, all poster presenters will also present a Lightning Talk, a 60-second oral presentation that provides symposium attendees with the opportunity to learn about your research in broad terms before your poster presentation.

A Lightning Talk is a very short scientific presentation that provides symposium attendees with the opportunity to learn about your research in broad terms before your poster presentation. A Lightning Talk gives a clear and concise narrative encompassing the purpose and results of the research, without focusing on experimental design or data. Consider this an “elevator pitch” to get people interested in visiting your poster.

Guidelines for Lightning Talks

• Presentations are limited to 60 seconds, from the time the presenter begins speaking.
• Presenters get one powerpoint slide. The slide must contain no data and a maximum of one sentence of text.
• Presentations will not be followed by questions (Attendees should save their questions for the poster session)
• No additional props or materials are allowed (i.e. laser pointers, lab equipment, etc.)

Content of the Lightning Talks should address the following:

• What do you study and why are you interested in it?
• What’s the problem?
• What did you do? (Stick to broad terms; avoid too much experimental detail)
• What did you find? (Stick to an overview of your findings or highlight one interesting result. Attendees can learn about your results in depth at your poster)
• Why does it matter?

For examples of Lightning Talks, see the videos below (note that the format differs from the guidelines above). Also provided below are examples of a one-slide Lightning Talk entry.

Please contact us if you have any questions!