Attention Undergraduate and Graduate Students!
We invite you to present your STEMM research at the AAAS Student E-poster Competition during the 2025 Annual Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts. Abstract submission site is now open and will close on October 16.

Eligibility to Receive This Funding to Present at the 2025 AAAS Meeting includes:

• enrolled in Barrett, the Honors College OR
• enrolled as a Center for Biology and Society graduate student (post-doctoral students are ineligible)
• available to attend the AAAS Annual Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts AND
• be at a stage of the research project that already has at least preliminary results to present.

What to Submit:

• Poster abstract and $25 non-refundable application fee
• 1-page e-poster PDF (details in the 2025 Student Poster Guidelines)

Prizes:

• 1st Place (Undergraduate & Graduate): Recognition in Science magazine, 1-year AAAS membership (including online access to Science), and $500 cash award. 
• Honorable Mention (Undergraduate & Graduate): Recognition in Science magazine and certificate.

We invite you to be a part of a scientific exchange focused on Science Shaping Tomorrow and we look forward to your poster submissions! Email us with questions at meetings@aaas.org.

Rita Dallal

Differential Gene Expression in Human Brain Cells Treated with Rexinoids

“Representing ASU and Barrett, The Honors College alongside amazing students is an opportunity I am honored to have been a part of. Meeting great individuals and connecting with professionals in the scientific realm allowed me to expand my knowledge on various aspects of science. Overall, the incredible support given by fellow students and ASU faculty made this trip one of my favorite conferences!”

Olivia Davis 

A New Five-Year Review Metric to Evaluate Recovery Under the Endangered Species Act

Honorable Mention in the Science in Society as a Graduate presenter

“Overall, I had an amazing time at AAAS. Going into such a big, interdisciplinary conference, I wasn't sure what to expect, but everyone was kind and welcoming. I really enjoyed walking around the exhibition hall to chat with publishers and have the opportunity to attend a diverse array of talks. This was also my first poster presentation as a graduate student, so I was a bit nervous. However, the ASU team really helped me prepare and make the best poster, and presentation, that I could. It meant a lot to have such a supportive group at the conference too. I also really enjoyed how the conference gave the opportunity for scientists and journalists to interact so much. I love science writing, so getting to meet professionals in both of these fields was really exciting.”

Mikayla Glancy

Neuroprotective Effects of ACMSD Across Sex in P301S Tauopathy Mouse Model

First Place in Brain & Behavior as an Undergraduate presenter

“Attending the AAAS meeting was an amazing experience both personally and professionally. I was able to hear lectures that interested me, make connections with peers and professionals, and get great practice presenting to an audience. I am very grateful I was able to attend!”

Jared Johnson

An Investigation on the Spatial Configurations of Amphibian Conservation in Drylands

“I had a great time representing ASU at AAAS ‘24. My favorite part of the trip was meeting other ASU students with different background in Biology and learning about all the interesting research topics we were each presenting. I also was able to connect with a lot of potential employers and gain valuable presentation experience.”

Sophia Koutsgiannis

Can We Turn Back the Clock on Insecticide Resistance?

First Place Developmental Biology, Genetics, and Immunology as an Undergraduate presenter

"Attending the 2024 AAAS symposium was the most influential step in my scientific journey thus far. It was an honor to be able to present my research among so many other brilliant scientists. The highlight of the conference for me was the opportunity to meet and engage in dialogue with seasoned professionals in academia, as well as making many new friends." 

Moria MacCatherine

An Assessment Scale and Care Recommendations for Neonatal Opioid
Withdrawal Syndrome

First Place in Medicine and Public Health as an Undergraduate presenter

“I am so grateful to have been a part of the 2024 AAAS Conference. Presenting my research to a panel of judges and a generalized audience challenged me to be descriptive yet concise and confident. I met students and professionals from a vast range of specialties - one of the benefits of attending a general science meeting. It was fascinating to learn about a wide array of topics and contribute my own niche interests to the conversation. I felt a strong community of my Barrett peers, which provided a nice balance of familiarity while still having the freedom to explore the conference sessions I wanted to attend. Traveling to Denver also granted us the opportunity to venture into a new city after conference hours and strengthen these new relationships. Thank you to everyone involved!”

Naina Misra

The Effect of Free Food Events on Inclusivity Among University Students

First Place in Science in Society as a Undergraduate presenter

“Attending the AAAS General Meeting was an eye-opening experience for me and the others in my cohort this year, as we attended memorable speaker sessions, networked with companies and national organizations, and cheered each other on at our poster presentations. Presenting our project posters to an interdisciplinary panel of judges and competing on a National stage was the perfect opportunity for me to raise awareness for my mission to encourage and support Free Food Events on college campuses to be more inclusive for students with dietary restrictions. Hearing their feedback, praise, and personal experiences regarding my project galvanized me to reach out to more stakeholders at ASU and even other universities about the data I have collected and solutions I devised. I am confident that I will take the lessons I learned at this conference with me into the future and use it to create an even greater positive impact on my community.”

Sophia Page

Biodiversity’s Impact on Desert Soil Carbon Sequestration: Could Landscaping for Biodiversity Help Climate Change?

“This was my first conference and it was a truly eye-opening experience. Every day presented a new deluge of possibilities and it showed me that I am capable of great things---both in- and out-of-state. But at the end of the day, traveling to Denver made me realize how much I love my home in Phoenix. I will take what I learned home to improve the ways in which I help my community.”

Jynx Pigart

Social Comparison Partially Mediates the Relationship Between Underserved Science Identities and Fear of Negative Evaluation

"This experience was enthralling to see how issues of equity and inclusion in sciences are being approached from both a scientific perspective but also from an institutional side, from publishers to administrators to government agencies like the National Science Foundation. At AAAS, I felt like I saw a side of academia that students don't usually get to see. AAAS made me curious for potential future careers."

Srivatsan Swaminathan

Vaccines Re-establish Homeostasis in a Mouse Collagen-induced Arthritis Model

Honorable Mention Developmental Biology, Genetics, and Immunology as an Undergraduate presenter

Orchee Syed

Pain During Midlife:  A Crossnational  Analysis of Birthyear Cohort Differences

Honorable Mention in Social Sciences as an Undergraduate presenter

“This was my first conference, and I had a really great time! Presenting my research, nerve-wracking though it was, was a rewarding and fulfilling experience. My judges were invested and asked compelling questions, and everyone I travelled with was so friendly and supportive. I enjoyed seeing the other students’ projects as well, and the booths and speakers were very interesting.”

Cindy Vargas 

Incorporating Fisher Metrics in Assessments of Bycatch Reduction Technologies   

First Place in Social Sciences as a Graduate presenter

“I am thankful for having the opportunity to present in the AAAS 2024 meeting in Denver. It was exciting to practice communicating my research to a broader range of scientists and learn about various topics outside of my field of study. One of the benefits of attending a large scientific conference, such as AAAS, is that there are many workshops, talks, and posters you can attend and learn about. There is something for everyone!”

Bryan Yavari

Adaptive Therapy: Leveraging Evolutionary Dynamics For Colorectal Cancer Management

“The AAAS meeting was a rewarding experience, allowing me to meaningfully contribute to the scientific community by presenting my research to experts and peers. I was able to network and learn from other scientists in many different fields, diversifying my knowledge across multiple disciplines. The discussions I had sparked new ideas and collaborations that I am currently working to develop. I am excited to further use the insights that I gained in my research and future endeavors.”

Kayla Burgher Graduate Student First Place - Environment and Ecology

"Attending the AAAS conference in Washington, D.C. was a wonderful experience that opened my mind to different ways of scientific thinking while giving me a platform to present my work and learn about future career opportunities. Many of the sessions I attended discussed science communication and the ethics of conducting science, topics I haven’t had much exposure to in my daily work. Additionally, while attending sessions and wandering around the expo hall, I met many fascinating scientists from many backgrounds and career paths. Not only did I get the opportunity to bounce my research ideas off these scientists, but I also gained insider information on how they built their careers. Finally, I enjoyed presenting my research in the e-poster competition. Through presenting, I practiced communicating my work to a general audience and had the opportunity to answer thoughtful questions from the judges. Ultimately, AAAS opened my eyes to the larger world of science outside of my field and ASU. I am excited to attend again in the future."   

Baylee Edwards

"My experience at AAAS was incredibly educational and very fun. I had opportunities to build connections with folks from a variety of disciplines, and discussing my work with them gave me new insight into my research. I was also able to attend sessions on topics both within and outside of my field, which helped me connect my work to some of my other interests. At the end of the weekend, I left the conference with multiple new ideas and the inspiration I need to bring those ideas to life at ASU." 

Joseph Hale

"Worry. Hope. Inspiration. Introspection. Such feelings characterize the experience of exhibiting
undergraduate research about a Rubik's Cube at the graduate level in one of science's most prestigious conferences, the 2023 AAAS Annual Meeting. Fortunately, initial fears of inadequacy gradually dissolved into crystalizing confidence as new friendships formed over shared excitement and mutual admiration.  As the conference progressed, thought-provoking presentations prompted contemplation of the patent economy, privacy amidst quantum computing, and proposals for ethical intelligent algorithms. Overall, this academic experience revealed many new opportunities to stretch intellectually and professionally, for which I offer sincere gratitude."

Cole Nichols

"AAAS 2023 was my first experience at an academic conference. Presenting my research was a
welcome challenge, and I enjoyed learning from other poster presenters. From attending other sessions, I gained new insights for use both in my research and larger academic career."