The Center for Tropical Diseases and the Special Pathogens Excellence in Clinical Treatment, Readiness, and Education (SPECTRE) at UTMB invite abstract submissions for the 2025 Symposium on Tropical and Emerging Infectious Diseases for Clinicians and Translational Scientists.
We are seeking abstracts from all disciplines involved in clinical and translational research in Tropical and Emerging Infectious Diseases (e.g., medical, research, social sciences, public health, health professions).
Presentation & Awards
- Selected abstracts will be considered for Poster Presentations.
- The highest-scoring posters will receive awards.
- The top abstracts will be invited for a featured oral presentation and will qualify for a $300 award.
Submission Guidelines
Important Dates:
Deadline for abstract submissions – August 19, 2025
Notification of acceptance – August 26, 2025
Format Requirements:
Structured abstracts should be no longer than 300 words and titles no longer than 50 words.
Abstract structure:
- Background: In a few sentences, indicate the purpose and objective of the project, the hypothesis that was tested or a description of the problem being analyzed or evaluated.
- Methods: Describe the setting/location for the project, study design, study population, ethical considerations, data collection tools and methods of analysis used.
- Results: The findings/outcome of the project, with specific results in summarized form. When results or data are not available, a description of a final product or intended analysis is acceptable.
- Conclusions: Briefly discuss the data and main outcome of the study. Emphasize the implications of the results for future projects, policy, or research.
Unpublished work is encouraged, previously published or presented work is welcome.
All submissions will be reviewed peer-reviewed by a project committee, which will select abstracts to be presented as posters or oral presentations.
Symposium registration is required to present but not to submit.
Judging Criteria
Abstracts will be judged on the following criteria:
- Originality: Uniqueness of the research topic or limited previous work.
- Relevance to Tropical and Emerging Infectious Diseases
- Impact on the Field: Potential of the research to induce changes in practice or influence the field.
- Scientific Merit: Clarity of hypothesis, significance, methodology, data analysis, and conclusion.
- Contribution of Author to Research
Trainee Travel Grant:
Trainees selected to present their work at this symposium are eligible to receive a grant to defray travel cost. These funds are provided to facilitate accessibility and diversity at the "Tropical and Emerging Infectious Diseases for the Clinicians and Translational Scientists" symposium in Galveston, Texas.
Provision of up to 10 travel awards (airfare and lodging) will be awarded to trainees selected based on their submitted abstract and a statement articulating how this conference will support their career goals.
Important Dates
- April 2025 – Call for abstracts opens (6 months before symposium)
- August 19, 2025 – Abstract submission and travel grant application deadline (4 weeks before symposium)
- August 26, 2025 – Notification of abstract acceptance and travel grant decisions (7 days after submission deadline)
- September 3, 2025 – Deadline for electronic submission of high-resolution posters (2 weeks before symposium)
- September 19, 2025 – Poster presentations and oral presentations by selected trainees at the symposium