How to make and present a poster

Ellen M. Carpenter, Ph.D.

What is a poster?

• An organized visual display of your research project and findings

• Posters should be self-explanatory• Posters should be concise

Necessary components

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

Optional components

• Methods/approaches• Future directions• References• Acknowledgements (include people who

helped and funding sources such as scholarships to you and grants to your mentor)

Your Brilliant and Inspiring (but not overly long) TitleAuthors: You (first), your mentor (last), anyone else you worked with (in the middle)

Department and Institution

Abstract

Background Information

Background Information/M

ethods, etc.

Data figure

Figure legend

Conclusions(bullet points)

explanation

Future directions

Data figure Data figure ReferencesAcknowledgements

XXX yyyzzz222

Aaa bbbccc777 cccn/adddkkk

Table title

Figure legend

How to put your poster together

• First, ask your mentor, or someone in your lab, if the lab has a particular style or format you should use

• If not, use the guidelines on the URC Science website for assistance www.ugresearchsci.ucla.edu/spdinstructions.htm

Or use a flash drive.

Your abstract

• Due Friday, May 8, 2015 by 5 PM. Use the Google submission form on the Neuroscience IDP 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

Genetic and epigenetic factors contribute to a possible mouse model of autism

Daniel Hoffman, Brian Mullen, Elvira Khialeeva, and Ellen M. Carpenter

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is defined by deficits within three behavioral categories: social interaction, communication, and repetitive/restricted behaviors. While the exact mechanisms of the disorder are unknown, multiple models based on genetic and epigenetic factors have been suggested. One model proposes a combination of reelin deficiency and exposure to organophosphate pesticides. Reelin, an extracellular matrix protein, is responsible for neuronal migration and positioning in laminated structures in the brain. Genome-wide linkage studies show a connection between ASD and the 7q locus, where the reelin gene is located. ASD patients also show reduced levels of reelin protein and mRNA expression. Reelin function may be affected by organophosphate pesticides, which interfere with protein processing, thus exacerbating the effects of reduced reelin expression. We have created a potential ASD animal model using mice heterozygous for the reelin gene that were exposed prenatally to chlorpyrifos-oxon, an organophosphate pesticide, at a critical stage in neural development. We then tested several types of behavior in these animals and used histological and immunohistochemical analysis to see changes in the organization of several laminated brain structures. Our findings demonstrate subtle but significant changes in both behavior and brain anatomy and suggest that this mouse model may be useful in studying the underlying causes and possible treatments for ASD.

A timeline

• Abstracts are due May 8. Give your mentor a draft of your abstract by May 1, so you have a week to revise and rewrite.

• Start work on your figures and poster text by May 14. Assemble the figures and go over them with your mentor.

• Start assembling your powerpoint file on May 21. 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 28 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?

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

Be proud of your work!

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