GWSPH Research Day 2026

"Research Day is a vibrant celebration of innovation, collaboration, and discovery at GWSPH. It shines a spotlight on the incredible work of our students and mentors, builds connections across disciplines, and inspires the leadership needed to shape a healthier, more equitable future. Together, we celebrate curiosity and the power of research to improve lives everywhere."

Kelly Gebo, MD, MPH
Michael and Lori Milken Dean of the Milken Institute School of Public Health

"Research Day at the Milken Institute School of Public Health is an opportunity for our community to showcase its exceptional research across the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of public health. From health policy and management worldwide to chronic disease in the United States to emerging and re-emerging zoonotic disease, this event highlights the importance of public health research by showcasing novel research, fostering valuable collaborations and connections, and facilitating meaningful discussions. For many of our research community members, this will be their first foray into scientific presentation of ideas, methods, findings, and meaning. We are excited to join on this day to share, receive and advance knowledge towards a healthier future."

Christopher N. Mores, SM ScD FASTMH
Professor and Interim Senior Associate Dean for Research & Innovation
Interim Head, GW Public Health and Law Research Support Team
Professor, Department of Global Health
Director, BSL-3 Biocontainment Facility
Director, MPH in Global Health Epidemiology & Disease Control

SCHEDULE & PROGRAM

GWSPH Research Day 2026
Wednesday, April 15, 2026; 12:00 - 4:00 PM EST
The Convening Center
Milken Institute School of Public Health

7:00 - 11:00 AM Poster Presentation Setup @GWSPH Convening Center
11:00 - 4:00 PM Judging of Posters & Posters Viewing @GWSPH Convening Center
12:00 - 3:00 PM Research Center/Institute Showcase - Venue To Be Confirmed
2:00 - 3:00 PM Light Refreshments & Networking - Venue To Be Confirmed
3:00 - 4:00 PM Speaker Presentation & Awards Ceremony @ GWSPH Ground Floor Auditorium
4:00 - 4:30 PM Poster Removal

Email SPHResearchDaygwu [dot] edu (SPHResearchDay[at]gwu[dot]edu) for more information!

ABSTRACT GUIDELINES

Abstracts are due by March 27, 2026, at Midnight.

Our call for abstracts has various program areas that are intentionally broad to encourage submissions from across the diverse, innovative, and collaborative field of academic public health.

Sponsored Program Areas:

GWSPH Research: any experiences pr project that occurred while you were a affiliated with any department at GWSPH.
Climate and Health: submissions that address topics at the intersection of climate change and health, and advance solutions for mitigation, adaptation, and health equity. Submissions may address diverse health outcomes and populations and may use innovative data, community engaged approaches, or locally led strategies to improve public health in the context of climate change.
Health Policy and Systems Research: submissions that address how health systems and policies can be understood, strengthened, or transformed to improve equity, efficiency, responsiveness, and resilience in low- and middle-income countries settings.

Additional Program Areas:

Equity: submissions that educate and empower citizen leaders committed to eradicating racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic inequity globally.
Gender Equality: submissions that incorporate a gender or feminist perspective and make significant contributions to the promotion of gender equality and women's rights.
Health Workforce Equity: presentations that prioritize how care is provided to the most disadvantaged sectors of our society.
Health, Education & Community Outcomes: submissions that prioritize the development of school-connected strategies for better health and education outcomes for PreK-12 children and their families.
Healthy Foods: presentations that outline strategies for equitable access to affordable, healthy foods through better production, storage, distribution, or pricing, especially those with positive impacts on climate change.
Inclusivity: submissions that prioritize a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered.
Maternal and Child Health: submissions that address critical public health challenges impacting women and children across their lifespan.
Public Health Leadership: submissions that promote practice-based education, research, and service to strengthen professional skills and competencies. These efforts directly support the public health workforce, communities, non-profit organizations, healthcare providers, and government agencies.
Scientific Advancements: presentations on innovative research that can improve health, the environment, and quality of life.

Please click on the Research Day Prize Categories below for a description of each prize.

Abstracts should reflect research or evidence-based projects that have been completed or partially completed, be between 150 - 400 words, and include the following components:

Background & Significance of the Study
The Purpose of Your Research (which can include your research question or hypothesis)
Methods
(Preliminary) Findings & Conclusions
The Implications of Your Findings and/or Revisiting the Significance of the Research

The deadline for submission is March 27, 2026, at Midnight.

Please refer to the Abstract Submission Template and Sample below as a guide to submitting your abstracts via email to SPHResearchDaygwu [dot] edu (SPHResearchDay[at]gwu[dot]edu).

Extension requests for Abstract Submissions will be considered but not guaranteed. If you need to request an extension after the deadline, please email SPHResearchDaygwu [dot] edu.

POSTER PREPARATION AND PRINTING GUIDELINES

After you submit your abstract, information on poster development and digitally archiving your poster PDFs, which can be linked to your CV or Resume, will be shared upon confirmation and after the event presentation.

Poster Size

Any poster templates can be used as long as the dimensions do not exceed 42'' by 42''.

Please ensure that your materials are clearly associated with GW and comply with GW Visual Identity Elements, as well as GW’s Identity Standards and Guidelines (PDF). For additional assistance in creating a unique appearance for your materials, contact GW Office of Communications and Marketing.

Poster Printing and Display

Poster printing and display are the responsibilities of the poster presenter.

All posters are expected to be hung on the morning of April 15 before 11 AM. After the event, please remove your poster by 4:30 PM.

Posters may be printed without charge using the large format printing capabilities in the Create Digital Studio in the GW Libraries. Additionally, please ensure that your name is prominently included on your poster.

Poster Design Webinar and Resources

Recorded Webinar

Tips for Optimizing Your Poster Design & Layout

How to Present your Poster and Wow the Judges

Please visit the Libraries & Academic Innovation website and look for helpful information. For personal poster consultation with the CREATE Digital Studio Team, please book a session on our Calendly page.

RESEARCH DAY PRIZE CATEGORIES

Each submitted poster competes for the following prizes based on their category(Undergraduate, Master's, Doctoral, Research Staff/Alumni/Postdoc):

GWSPH Research Prize

Any practice experience that must have taken place while you are a student at GWSPH. This could include your APEx, UHP experience, independent internship, field experience, volunteering, etc.

UNDERGRADUATE

1st place prize $200
2nd place runner-up $100

MASTER'S

1st place prize $300
2nd place runner-up $150

DOCTORAL

1st place prize $400
2nd place runner-up $200

RESEARCH STAFF/ALUMNI/POSTDOC

1st place prize $400
2nd place runner-up $200

LAB BASED RESEARCH CATEGORY

1st place prize $300
2nd place runner-up $150

Climate and Health Research Prize

The Climate and Health Research Award is jointly awarded by the GW Climate and Health Institute and the Sumner M. Redstone Global Center for Prevention and Wellness. This award recognizes work that addresses topics at the intersection of climate change and health, and advances solutions for mitigation, adaptation, and health equity. Submissions may address diverse health outcomes and populations and may use innovative data, community-engaged approaches, or locally led strategies to improve public health in the context of climate change.

UNDERGRADUATE

1st place prize $300
2nd place runner-up $200

GRADUATE (MASTER'S AND DOCTORAL)

1st place prize $300
2nd place runner-up $200

RESEARCH STAFF/ALUMNI/POSTDOC

1st place prize $300
2nd place runner-up $200

Gill-Lebovic Center for Community Health Prize

The Gill-Lebovic Center for Community Health in the Caribbean and Latin America Prize recognizes outstanding presentations focused on Health Policy and Systems Research (HPSR) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Eligible presentations must explore how health systems and policies can be understood, strengthened, or transformed to improve equity, efficiency, responsiveness, and resilience in LMIC settings. Submissions should address at least one of the following cross-cutting HPSR categories:

• Policy and political economy of health in LMICs (agenda-setting, actors, power and ideas, governance and accountability).

• Health system organization and service delivery (integration, primary health care, community- and people-centered models, digital health, private sector).

• Financing and financial protection (UHC reforms, purchasing, insurance, user-fee removal, benefit design, equity impacts)

• Implementation, scale-up, and learning health systems (implementation research, learning collaboratives, adaptive management, embedded research).

• Social, commercial, and environmental determinants as they relate to health systems and policy responses in LMICs (e.g., climate, migration, NCDs, commercialization of unhealthy commodities).

UNDERGRADUATE

1st place prize $300

MASTER'S

1st place prize $350

DOCTORAL

DrPH 1st place prize $500
PhD 1st place prize $500

RESEARCH STAFF/ALUMNI/POSTDOC

1st place prize $700

Additional Information for Presenters

All Individuals are entered into the GWSPH Prize Category. Individuals may submit multiple abstracts but cannot submit the same abstract to more than one award category.
All abstracts must be submitted using the approved template via email to SPHResearchDaygwu [dot] edu, and a confirmation email must be received before proceeding to develop your posters.
After you submit your abstract, information on poster development and digitally archiving your poster PDFs, which can be linked to your CV or Resume, will be shared upon confirmation and after the event presentation.
After the review committee confirms your abstract submission, you will be eligible to receive 4 Hours of Professional Enhancement Credits upon presenting at the event.
In addition to winning prizes, you may also be selected to represent GWSPH at the prestigious GW Innovation Fest Showcase. This is your chance to make a difference in the academic world and boost your career in research.
Winners will be honored at the Academic Awards Ceremony and will have an opportunity to network with GWSPH Leadership. Additionally, Winner’s research will be showcased on the GWSPH Student, Faculty, and Staff Newsletter and the GWSPH Research Brief platforms, thereby enhancing the visibility of their work and professional reputation within the university and beyond.
By agreeing to participate in this event, you consent to share your contact information (Name and Email) with event sponsors.

For questions and additional information, please contact The Office of Research Excellence at SPHResearchDaygwu [dot] edu (SPHResearchDay[at]gwu[dot]edu).

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