Public Health Research Day is an opportunity to highlight innovative public health research across the University of Maryland School of Public Health. Held during Public Health Week, the event will take place on April 9, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the SPH Concourse (Ground Floor) and will feature poster presentations showcasing the work of SPH graduate and undergraduate students.
We encourage students affiliated with any SPH department or program to participate. Present your work! Come support your peers! Be inspired by all the work being done by our scholars!
The Global Health Initiative, SPH Delta Omega Gamma Zeta Chapter (SPH’s Public Health Honor Society), and the SPH Office of Graduate Student Services are sponsoring Public Health Research Day 2026.
Lots of other events are happening in the SPH during National Public Health Week! Keep an eye out for announcements!
You can submit a poster abstract for works at any stage—whether in-progress or completed.
Abstract Sections
- Background - Begin with 2–3 sentences of background explaining the problem or topic and its importance. Next, state your research question or objective in 1–2 sentences.
- Methods - Describe your methods in 2–4 sentences, including the study design, participants or sample, data collection procedures, and analytic approach.
- Results - 2–4 sentences summarizing the main findings or key themes; do not write “results will be discussed.” If the study is ongoing, briefly describe preliminary findings or expected contributions.
- Conclusion - Conclude with 1–3 sentences explaining what the results mean and why they matter for practice, research, or policy.
To write an abstract for work in progress, you will prepare a brief summary of your project that helps readers quickly understand what you are studying, why it matters, how you are conducting the research, and any preliminary findings or expected outcomes. The results section will focus on preliminary results or expected outcomes, and the conclusion section will focus on the next steps of your research
When writing your abstract, use clear, simple language, stay within the 250-word limit, avoid citations, tables, and figures, and define acronyms the first time they are used.
Poster Size & Format
- Posters must be 24” x 36” (portrait or landscape orientation)
- Posters must not exceed the specified dimensions, as display space is limited
Event Check In and Poster Set Up
- The registration and check-in desk will be located in the SPH Concourse. Posters must be mounted by 1:00 p.m.
- Poster boards will be labeled with your assigned poster number
- Mounting materials (e.g., push pins) will be provided on-site
Enhance your research or practice poster skills and prepare for the upcoming SPH Public Health Week poster events with our expert-led workshop. This session will guide you in creating impactful and professional posters.
Presenter: Sharona Ginsberg, Head of Student Engagement Services, UMD Libraries.
Watch Recording (Passcode: K5gXr#92)
SPH Branded Poster Templates
Other Poster Templates that aren’t SPH Branded
- Office of Undergraduate Research: Designing a Research Poster
- College Park Scholars: Academic Showcase Posters
- UMBC: Undergraduate Research Poster Examples
Other Resources
- How to create a better research poster in less time (#betterposter Generation 2).
- There's a movement for better scientific posters. But are they really better?
SPH Branded Logos
You can find the SPH branded logos on the SPH Intranet (CAS login required) then go to “Communications Resources” then “Logos and other Resources”. You can also find the SPH School-wide PowerPoint & Research Poster templates on the “Communications Resources” page.
The Global Health Initiative will sponsor poster printing for SPH student presenters at the 2026 SPH Public Health Research Day who submitted an abstract by March 23. These students have been contacted by email.
Please follow the steps below to ensure we print your poster on time.
Submit Your Poster
- Upload your final poster by Wednesday, April 2, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
- Name your file: LastName_PHR2026.pdf (Example: Garcia_PHR2026.pdf)
- Use this form to submit the file: https://forms.gle/Eyq67mw5QfGZfSiY9
We may not be able to print posters submitted after the deadline.
File Requirements
- Save your file as a PDF
- Set resolution to 300 DPI
- Review your file in Foxit PDF Reader to confirm formatting