Agenda | Call for Abstracts | Directions | List of Presenters | Registration

On behalf of PROMISE: Maryland’s Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP), we invite you to submit an abstract for the First Annual Research Symposium, Monday, January, 23, 2005 at the Stamp Student Union on the University of Maryland College Park campus.

The PROMISE Research Symposium is designed to provide a professional academic setting that gives graduate students an opportunity to share their research and receive feedback from noted faculty members and judges, develop the professional skills necessary for a research career, expand their knowledge through three keynote addresses by distinguished scholars as well as an opportunity to network. In total, sixty (60) graduate student presentations will be showcased throughout the day. Twelve (12) Doctoral Candidates will be given the opportunity to present an oral presentation and forty-eight (48) graduate students will present a poster presentation. All presenters are eligible for recognition and monetary awards.

This experience will be an invaluable one for graduate students from all disciplines and at every stage of their academic career. Please see the information below for details regarding general rules, abstract guidelines, poster and oral presentation guidelines, evaluation process, and registration.

RESEARCH DIVISIONS *

• Mathematics, Physical Sciences, and Engineering (includes technology, information systems, computer sciences, and related fields)
• Biomedical/Health, Chemical and Life Sciences (includes Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nursing, Nutrition, Dental, Public and Community Health and related fields)
• Behavioral and Social Sciences, Education, and Art & Humanities (includes Business, Journalism, Public Policy and related fields)

RECOGNITION AND AWARDS

Presentation awards will be given at the awards ceremony to the top three presentations in each of the three research divisions. Presenters will receive a plaque of recognition and a monetary award.

PRELIMINARY CALL FOR GRADUATE STUDENT PAPERS & PRESENTATIONS

• Abstract Submission Deadline: December 2, 2005
• All poster and oral presentation abstracts must be submitted online by the submissions deadline to be considered for review.
• Only one abstract submission per graduate student is acceptable.
• Only Doctoral Candidates will be considered for oral presentations.
• Only graduate students enrolled at University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) and University of Maryland College Park (UM) may submit abstracts.
• Graduate students actively involved in the PROMISE Peer Mentoring program will be given priority. However, we will accept submissions from all graduate students from institutions affiliated with PROMISE.

• Content: Abstract word limit is 250 words.
• Structure: Abstracts should include the following: hypothesis, purpose or objective (as appropriate for your discipline), research methods, results/expected results, discussion, conclusion (as appropriate by discipline) and future directions of research. Please note that it is not sufficient to state: ``the results will be discussed.”
• Authorship: Submission of an abstract for consideration should be completed by the individual who seeks to present the poster or oral presentation at the conference. As part of abstract submission, the abstract author will be asked to enter the names and institutions of all research collaborators, including the Principal Investigator and/or research mentor.
• For research abstracts that are coauthored by a group of researchers:
• Only one individual may submit an abstract for consideration and only that individual (author) may present the research at the conference
• Submission of the same abstract by different authors will void all poster and oral presentations for all authors/research co-authors
• If the abstract is selected for presentation, but the presenter listed is unable to present for any reason, the presentation space will be forfeited; other members of the research group may not serve as substitute presenters.
• Evaluation Criteria: Abstracts are reviewed and selected on the basis of the following criteria:
• Abstract states the purpose/objective/hypothesis clearly
• Methods/materials explained clearly
• Results and findings support the conclusion and/or expected results/direction
• Abstract scientific content, as well as clear English grammar
• Compliance with abstract guidelines and deadlines
• Notification: Notifications will only be sent electronically. For this reason, it is imperative that you provide a valid and current email address during the submission of your abstract. Students will receive notification of acceptance no later than Friday, December 15, 2005.
• Abstract for Program Booklet: All abstracts will appear in the program booklet as submitted and accepted by the selection committee. Carefully review your abstract prior to submission.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ABSTRACT SUBMISSION

• Register for the First Annual PROMISE Research Symposium online at our website beginning November.
• The online abstract process requires that you have a number of pieces of information at hand in order to complete your abstract submission. Be sure to have the following on hand when you go online to submit your abstract:
  • The name and contact information of your Principal Investigator and/or research mentor (including active email address)
  • General information about the abstract/research (abstract title, presentation type (poster or oral), abstract discipline, length of time of research) and the author (contact information, active email address, university, education level)
  • Completed abstract text including the basic abstract components (hypothesis, methods, results/expected results, discussion, and conclusion, as appropriate by discipline); an explanation of the importance of the research (stated in the introduction of the abstract); and a description of what you are doing/ how research is being conducted
• Submit your abstract through the online abstract submission system. To enter the body of your abstract, you will be instructed to cut and paste the text into the form.
• Review your submitted abstract and make any needed revisions by the abstract submission deadline: 12/2/2005. Please ensure there are no grammatical errors and that all Latin words are italicized.

ORAL PRESENTATION GUIDELINES

• Content: Presentations should also include the following: names of collaborators, advisor(s), department(s), research methods, results, and future directions of research.
• Time: Presenters will be allotted ten (10) minutes to present their study followed by a five (5) minute discussion period with the judges committee.
• Audio-Visual: Oral presentations may be supported with additional equipment/materials such as: PowerPoint, overheads or slides. At the time of abstract submission, the author will be asked to indicate the type of Audio Visual equipment needed for the presentation. A laptop computer will be provided for all oral presentations that will include a PowerPoint/computer-aided presentation.
• Set-Up: Presenters are required to send their oral presentations to PROMISE via email (if possible) at promise@gradschool.umd.edu no later than Wednesday, January 11, 2006.  PROMISE Staff will compile all presentations onto a laptop (and CD for backup).  This effort will allow presentations to flow seamlessly from one to another during the actual day of the event. 
• Judging Procedures: The judges will be seated in the first row of the audience during your presentation. The moderator will announce your name, you will approach the podium, once you begin speaking your time will begin.
• Evaluation Criteria*: Oral presentations are evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:
• General:
• Identification of the hypothesis or question
• Appropriateness of the research design
• Ability to answer questions
• Clear presentation of data
• Interpretation of results
• Validity of scientific project
• Originality and innovation
• Approach to problem solving
• Organization and Clarity
• Conciseness
• Overall impression of presenter and oral presentation
• Detailed:
• Display
• Delivered to a General Audience – appropriate language, use of clear, simple terms
• Flow and Appearance – follow a logical path from intro to conclusion, presentation attractive, clear and aesthetically pleasing
• Clarity of Purpose and/or Hypothesis – purpose clearly articulated
• Methodology – clear what method in use, appropriate method and supporting evidence
• Presentation
• Argument – give a logical, structured presentation and arrive at a clear conclusion
• Delivery and Organization – utilizing time effectively, appropriate amount of info, appropriate eye contact
• Q & A – questions answered appropriates, convey confidence and expertise on the topic

• Content: Presentations should also include the following: names of collaborators, advisor(s), department(s), research methods, results, and future directions of research.
• Size: Posters may be no more than seven (7) feet wide and four (4) feet high, and must be hung using tacks, which will be provided on the program day.
• Printing Poster: If the presenter's research lab and/or advisor cannot provide funding to print poster, PROMISE will cover the expense. Presenters should contact their individual campus PROMISE program coordinators for further details.
• Audio-Visual: Poster presenters are prohibited from using audiovisual equipment, electrical outlets, laptops or tables – poster presentations are strictly poster board presentations. Use of these or other additional equipment will result in disqualification of the presentation and the presenter will be asked to take down the poster.
• Set-Up: Poster presenters will only be allowed to set-up their display during the morning registration period between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. After this time, presenters will not be allowed to disrupt the proceedings of the symposium. Poster presenters must break down poster display by 6:00 p.m. or materials will be discarded unless prior permission is granted.
• Hosting Display: Presenters are required to host their poster display during their assigned one-hour divisional poster presentation period. During this time, presenters will discuss their research and field questions not only from the judges committee but also from other invited guests.
• Judging Procedures: Exhibitors are expected to give a 3-minute presentation on their topic of research followed by a 2 minute Q/A with the judging committee. The presentation and Q/A will be given as the committees visit the posters. Some disciplines are not easily presented in poster form, so this will provide them with an opportunity to explicate their posters to the judges. The talk should clearly present everything included on the poster and may include additional information as well. Orally presenting one's research to one's peers is an important part of graduate training, so this component will be given substantial weight as well.
• Evaluation Criteria*:
• States purpose clearly
• Good acknowledgement of previous work
• Work performed by the student stated clearly
• Clearly shows direction of work
• Demonstrates implication of work
• Strong logical flow of information
• Text is readable and clear
• Graphs and Figures clear and understandable
• Good description in figure captions
• Good articulation of key ideas

AGENDA

ABOUT AGEP

The National Science Foundation's Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) program is intended to increase significantly the number of domestic students receiving doctoral degrees in the sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), with special emphasis on those population groups underrepresented in these fields (i.e., African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders). In addition, AGEP is particularly interested in increasing the number of minorities who will enter the professoriate in these disciplines. Specific objectives of the AGEP program are (1) to develop and implement innovative models for recruiting, mentoring, and retaining minority students in STEM doctoral programs, and (2) to develop effective strategies for identifying and supporting underrepresented minorities who want to pursue academic careers.

PROMISE: Maryland's AGEP is an alliance of the three public research universities in Maryland, led by UMBC, dedicated to the increasing the number and diversity of Ph.D. graduates in the sciences and engineering who go on to academic careers. AGEP is a program of the National Science Foundation. Maryland's AGEP was awarded in 2002 and will be funded for 5 years. The PI for Maryland's AGEP grant is UMBC Provost Dr. Arthur T. Johnson.

The Co-PIs on each campus are: Dr. Janet C. Rutledge, UMBC Sr. Associate Dean of the Graduate School; Dr. Jordan E. Warnick, Assistant Dean of Student Research at the University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB); and Dr. Johnetta G. Davis, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies at the University of Maryland College Park (UMCP). The alliance between UMBC, UMB, and UMCP encourages interaction between the university communities. Each university will develop its own set of activities in three areas: 1) cultivating new graduate students; 2) building a supportive community where students can excel; and 3) promoting professional development. Although some of the activities will be on individual campuses, one of the keys to the success of PROMISE: Maryland's AGEP is the development and implementation of activities that promote successful recruitment, retention, graduation, and professorial training that will involve and engage students from all three campuses.

PROMISE uniquely serves the needs of graduate students across three campuses through activities that range from retreats, seminars, and conferences, to informal discussions during breakfast. The services and programs of PROMISE are open to all graduate students who are seeking or interested in obtaining the PhD, regardless of discipline. The focus of the services and programs is geared toward one of the goals of PROMISE: To increase the numbers and diversity of Maryland's graduate student population in sciences, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. The services and proFriday, 01/20/2006 12:51 PMverse representation by designing programs that will successfully cultivate new students from diverse ethnicities; and facilitate retention, successful graduation through the PhD, and preparation for the professoriate.

Broadly, students can participate in PROMISE regardless of their status (full-time, part-time), ethnicity, discipline, or source of funding. Narrowly, students who are underrepresented will be strongly supported as they utilize the services and resources of PROMISE; these students can be encouraged to consider PROMISE to be one of their major mechanisms of support. Services and resources are available to underrepresented students, and to students of all ethnicities who work to achieve the goals of PROMISE at UMBC, UMB, and UMCP.