Guidelines

A scientific poster is a visual presentation of research findings. These guidelines will help you create an effective poster for the Forum on Aging.

Content

• Title: Create a concise, informative title that reflects your research focus.
• Authors: List all authors and their institutions or affiliations.
• Sections: Include recommended sections, such as Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, and Conclusion. Use headings to clearly identify each section.
• References: Cite sources and include either a reference list or a QR code linking to references.
• Acknowledgements: Recognize funding sources and any additional research support.
• Supplementary Materials: Consider adding QR codes linking to supplementary materials.
• Contact Information: Provide your contact details for attendees who may want to follow-up.

Text and Language

• Key Findings: Present the key findings and main message clearly, avoiding excessive detail.
• Readability: Use bullet points to enhance readability.
• Conciseness: Focus on key points rather than extensive details.
• Clarity: Use straightforward language. Avoid jargon unless it is understood by your audience.
• Accuracy: Proofread for spelling and grammatical errors, and ensure all information is accurate.

Design and Layout

• Flow: Arrange content logically from Introduction to Conclusion, with information flowing from top to bottom and left to right.
• Simplicity: Keep the design clean and uncluttered. Balance text, visuals, and white space. Font size: Use at least 72-point font for the title, 36- to 48-point font for headings, and 24- to 36-point font for body text. Ensure readability from at least 3 feet away.
• Visuals: Include high-quality, well-labelled figures and tables. Images should be at least 300 dpi. Include descriptive captions.
• Consistency: Maintain a uniform style for fonts, colors, and visuals throughout the poster.
• Alignment: Left-justify body text. Center the title, headings, and captions. 
• Accessibility: Ensure high contrast between text and background. Use standard fonts like Arial.
• Poster Size: Adhere to a standard poster size, such as 48” W x 36” H. The maximum height for UMTB Print Shop printing is 42” (3.5’).

Practical Considerations

• Feedback: Obtain feedback from peers or mentors to refine your poster before printing. Contact SCOA editor Amber McIlwain (asmcilwa@utmb.edu) for additional assistance.
• Templates: Use BioRender, UTMB templates, or create your poster with PowerPoint or Canva.
• Preparation: Prepare and practice a concise, engaging summary of your poster. Be ready to explain each section clearly, answer questions, and engage with attendees effectively.
• Printing: Email your poster to print.order@utmb.edu with your phone number and project or class number for payment. Allow 3 days for processing. Posters ordered through the UTMB Print Shop will be delivered to the Moody Medical Library, 2nd Floor Access Center.

Past Events