Discovery Day presenters (abstract first authors) are automatically registered for the event. Co-author presenters and all other attendees must register on Eventbrite.

Who is invited to Discovery Day?

Discovery Day is a celebration of research at Drexel University College of Medicine and is open to the Drexel community and its affiliates.

If I am presenting an oral or poster presentation, am I registered for the event?

Oral and poster presenters (abstract first authors) are registered for the event when they submit their abstract. This includes all daytime activities – continental breakfast, lunch, the plenary speaker session, and poster and platform presentations.

The awards dinner (from 5 to 7 p.m.) requires separate registration. Presenters will receive an email invitation to the awards dinner in October and must RSVP to that separately.

How do I register for the dinner and awards ceremony?

If you are already registered for the event as a presenter or a judge, you will receive an email invitation to the awards dinner in October with instructions for RSVPing.

General attendees can find information for registering here.

I am not presenting or judging but I would like to attend. How can I register for the event?

General attendees can find information for registering here.

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Who is eligible to submit an abstract to Discovery Day?

The first author must submit the abstract and must also be one of the following:

• Graduate students at Drexel University College of Medicine
• Graduate students at Drexel University whose mentors are College of Medicine faculty
• MD students at Drexel University College of Medicine, including those who complete projects at another institution (see below for additional details)
• Postdoctoral fellows at Drexel University College of Medicine
• Residents and fellows at Drexel University College of Medicine affiliate sites
• Undergraduate students who conducted research with a Drexel University College of Medicine faculty member

Please note: A faculty member cannot be a first author at Discovery Day.

Can I present work completed at another institution?

Yes, you can submit an abstract to present a poster but not a platform (oral) presentation. Be sure to include all institutional affiliations on the poster.

To facilitate the approval of your entry, please accurately complete the abstract submission and include email addresses for all authors. The mentor at the institution where the work took place must review and approve the submission.

While work completed at other institutions is eligible for poster presentations, only work completed at Drexel University College of Medicine will be considered for platform (oral) presentations.

How recent must my work be?

The poster must include at least some component completed in the last 12 months.

What type of abstracts are eligible for presentation at Discovery Day?

Abstracts on basic, translational, clinical, epidemiological or educational research are eligible, as are those focusing on community projects and case reports.

Can I present more than one abstract?

Presenters can be the first author on only one poster; however, they can co-author more than one abstract. It will be considered a breach of professionalism if a presenter attempts to submit two different abstracts using different email addresses, and those abstracts will be administratively withdrawn.

Are there any special considerations for platform (oral) presentations?

Preference will be given to well-developed or completed projects. Abstracts related to case studies and literature reviews will not be considered.

Can this work or poster be presented at another meeting (past or future)?

Yes. Discovery Day is an institutional event; however, the abstracts submitted are not considered formal publications that could impact one’s ability to present or publish the data in other venues (past or future).

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What format should the abstract use?

Abstract submissions are limited to 2,000 text characters. Our system does not support the use of tables or figures in the submission. Headings in the abstract are optional. Citations should not be included in the abstract but are required in the body of the poster or presentation.

Why must I use only a single email address when submitting my Discovery Day abstract?

The first author’s email address is a unique identifier for the poster. It links all of the information in the database and facilitates all communication regarding the event. PLEASE DO NOT USE MULTIPLE EMAIL ADDRESSES! If a first author uses multiple email addresses to submit multiple abstracts, all abstracts will be administratively withdrawn.

Why is it important that email addresses are correct for all authors?

Errors in email addresses can complicate communication between Discovery Day organizers and participants. It is vital that ALL email addresses are correct to facilitate the review and approval process.

Why is it important to have an accurate authorship list?

Authorship is key to research, scholarship and collegiality. An accurate list of authors is an important component of professionalism. Authorship attributes credit and accountability for the presented information and data. Your mentor is the best person to help you address authorships. Please confirm the authorship list with your mentor and all authors prior to submission.

I have completed the mentor field on the registration form. Should I list my mentor as a co-author on the abstract?

Yes, your mentor should be identified in the mentor field AND listed separately as a co-author of the abstract. These data are handled separately.

How do I edit my abstract (title, text or authorship) after submitting?

All abstracts can be edited at any time before the poster submission deadline by using the link in your submission confirmation email. Please refer to the top of this page for the most recent deadlines.

Can I edit my abstract (title, text or authorship) after the submission deadline?

No, abstracts cannot be edited by you or Discovery Day staff after the poster submission deadline. You can withdraw your poster after the submission deadline but prior to the withdrawal deadline. Please refer to the top of this page for important deadlines.

How can I withdraw my abstract?

You can withdraw your abstract at any time up to the withdrawal deadline. Please refer to the top of this page for deadlines.

It is professional behavior to honor commitments. Therefore, individuals who submit an abstract and pass the withdrawal deadline are expected to present their work. Exceptions and accommodation can be made for extenuating circumstances by contacting discoveryday@drexel.edu.

How do I select a theme for my abstract? What should I do if none of the categories fit my abstract?

In consultation with their PI, the first author should select one of the themes during abstract submission. If your abstract does not have a clear assignment, select the one that fits the best.

Do I need permission from an Institutional Review Board (IRB) or Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) office to conduct or present my work?

Your mentor is the best person to help you address this question. Many institutions require that their HRPP office sign off before presenting case studies. This process can take several weeks to months; therefore, authors are encouraged to make the appropriate contacts early.

Where can I get additional help?

If, after reviewing these FAQs, you have additional questions or receive repeated error messages, please get in touch with us via email at discoveryday@drexel.edu.

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Please note: Posters will not be delivered to the Convention Center. You must pick up your poster and bring it with you to Discovery Day.

Poster Presentation Guidelines

• Poster Presentation Summary: How to Stand Out [PDF]
• The Proper Layout and Content of an Outstanding Basic Scientific Research Poster [PDF]
• Watch Video: How to make and present a research poster – outline
• Watch Video: How to make and present a research poster – create the poster
• Watch Video: How to make and present a research poster – practice
• Watch Video: How to make and present a research poster – what not to do

Poster Templates

PowerPoint templates for posters with Drexel University College of Medicine–approved logos can be found here:

• College of Medicine template
• Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies template

What are the poster-size specifications?

The preferred size for Discovery Day posters is 48" W X 36" H. Posters cannot be wider than 48".

Can I use a poster created for use in another venue?

Yes, as long as the poster adheres to the rules of this event.

Does the first author of the poster have to be in attendance?

First authors are encouraged to attend in person. If the first author is not in attendance, the poster is not eligible for judging in the poster awards competition.

How does one indicate whether or not they would like to participate in the poster competition?

Discovery Day offers the option to participate in a poster awards competition. The first author can select whether or not to be part of the poster awards competition when they submit their abstract.

First authors who wish to participate in the poster awards competition must be present in person at Discovery Day to discuss their poster with one or more judges. We ask that individuals who opt to be part of the competition honor this commitment and revise their submission if a conflict arises. An email will be sent to competition participants to confirm their participation a week before Discovery Day.

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Participants are responsible for printing their own posters prior to Discovery Day.

Please note: Posters will not be delivered to the Convention Center. You must pick up your poster and bring it with you to Discovery Day.

When to submit:

It is strongly recommended that you submit your poster for printing no later than one week before the event. All posters submitted after that will be printed on a first come, first served basis.

How to submit:

• Posters should be in a PPT (preferred) or PDF format.
• The maximum poster size for Discovery Day is 48" W X 36" H.
• The file should be emailed directly to:
  Raphael Lukov
  Email: rml27@drexel.edu
  Phone: 215.762.1784
  Website: Center for Scientific Communication and Outreach
• You will be notified of your pickup date by email.
• Make sure you review the file submitted. We do not proofread.

Where to pick up your poster:

• Center City Campus in the New College Building located at 245 N. 15th Street, 18th Floor, Room 18302A (directly across from the elevator).
• Please see Raphael Lukov.
• Posters can be picked up any time after your availability date, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please make arrangements if you require a pickup outside these hours.
• The pickup site is conveniently located one block from the Pennsylvania Convention Center, and Discovery Day morning pickup is available for those who cannot travel to Center City before the day of the event.
• A free shuttle service is provided from University City and Queen Lane. The shuttle schedule is found on Drexel's transportation page.

Pricing:

• Pricing is $50 for a Discovery Day poster using one of the templates above.
• Payment for printing posters is due at the time of pickup in the form of department funding or organizational codes, cash or check. 
• Credit cards are not accepted.
• A $20 rush charge will be applied to posters needed in under 24 hours. 
• This is a Discovery Day promotional price. Your poster will be printed EXACTLY as it is submitted. We do not provide proofreading services.

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Visit the Drexel Graphics Lab website for instructions on how to submit a poster for printing.

**Please note: All orders should be sent as PDFs that are set to the size that is being requested to print. All orders received after 4pm on the Friday before Discovery Day will be charged an additional rush fee. Please plan accordingly.

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How are platform presenters selected?

Platform presenters are selected by the Discovery Day Platform Committee, composed of faculty members from each of the College of Medicine’s major research departments. The committee aims to identify a balanced panel of projects that showcase the work being done at Drexel University College of Medicine.

Platform presenters MUST have a Drexel University faculty member as their mentor. While all students who meet the preceding criteria can submit abstracts for consideration for a platform presentation, preference will be given to well-developed or completed projects. Abstracts related to case studies and literature reviews will not be considered.

When will those selected for a platform presentation be notified?

Discovery Day organizers will contact the individuals chosen for a platform presentation. This process can take several weeks after the deadline for platform abstracts.

What happens if an abstract is not accepted for a platform presentation?

If not chosen for a platform presentation, the abstract is added to those for posters presentation and the participant should generate a poster for judging.

How long is each platform presentation?

Each platform (oral) presenter has a 15-minute time block. It is recommended that the presentation last approximately 12 minutes, allowing time for questions and transitioning between presenters.

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Authorship is key to research, scholarship and collegiality. An accurate list of authors is an important component of professionalism. Authorship attributes credit and accountability for the presented information and data. Your mentor is the best person to help you address authorships.

Please confirm the authorship list with your mentor and all authors prior to submission. The first author is responsible for sharing their work with mentors and co-authors and obtaining their approval before submission. Failing to do so is considered unprofessional and unethical, and such breaches may be subject to formal investigation for academic integrity.

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