Event Information

This year marks the 33rd anniversary of CHOP Research Poster Day, an annual celebration of the groundbreaking research happening throughout Children's Hospital. This event includes poster presentations from trainees and research staff who will share their exciting discoveries with the CHOP community. Please join us in acknowledging the valuable contributions of the next generation of pediatric scientists and clinicians.

General Information

Abstract submission is required for displaying a poster at this event. Please note that we will not be able to accommodate presenters who have not submitted an abstract.

  • A maximum of 175 abstracts will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Submissions on all scientific topics, including those outside of this year's theme, are welcome.
  • Abstract submission will open on Monday, March 2, 2026. The deadline is 11:59pm on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
  • Participants may only submit one abstract.
  • Science Slam Competition: Poster Day presenters are invited to have their abstracts reviewed for consideration for the 2026 Science Slam competition. Selected abstract presenters will be invited to give Science Slam flash talk presentations during the Scientific Symposium on Tuesday, May 5th, with the opportunity to be awarded a monetary prize. We welcome submissions on all scientific topics, including those outside of this year's theme. You will be invited to opt into the Science Slam competition when you submit your CHOP Research Poster Day abstract.

Eligibility

  • All CHOP-based researchers-in-training and research staff are welcome to submit an abstract.
  • Please Note: Principal Investigators, Instructors, Attending Physicians, and non-CHOP researchers are not eligible to display a poster.
  • Applicants submitting abstracts will only be qualified if they are available to present during their assigned poster session.
  • The poster presenter must be directly involved in the research (e.g., a contributing author of the research).
  • Abstracts must be scientific method-driven research, including providing data from experimental results.
  • Questions on eligibility should be submitted to ATOP@chop.edu.

Abstract and Poster Guidelines

  • Work presented at previous scientific events may be submitted.
  • Presenting authors should submit the abstract, assemble the poster, and present the poster on the day of the event.
  • Posters must be mounted on 60" x 40" boards (boards and easels will be provided) and must fit within this 60" x 40" area. Landscape is the preferred poster orientation.
  • Pushpins will be provided for poster mounting.
  • Poster presentations will be divided into 3 sessions this year.
    • Poster Session A: Monday, May 4th from 2:30 - 4:00pm
    • Poster Session B: Tuesday, May 5th from 9:00 - 10:30am
    • Poster Session C: Wednesday, May 6th from 9:30 - 11:00am
  • Participants can indicate their preferred poster session time when submitting their abstract. Selected time slots are not guaranteed. Once you are assigned to a session, no adjustments can be made.
  • While not required, Research Creative Services is available to assist with poster design or printing. Please contact them at researchcomm@chop.edu. A poster template is available here.
  • For more information on abstract guidelines, please refer to a sample winning abstract here or view this article from NIH.

Judging

  • All participants submitting an abstract will be judged. There will be no display-only option.
  • Participants choose from one of two tracks at the time of abstract submission: Patient-oriented (clinical, human subjects) or Laboratory-based (basic, wet bench). Translational studies could fall into either category at the discretion of the abstract author.
  • Judging and prizes will be uniform for each track and multiple cash prizes of $250 will be awarded.
  • Each participant is evaluated on scientific merit, visual presentation, and oral presentation. Judges are asked to select one presenter from his or her assigned posters to be considered for an award. Judges are required to visit every poster and are encouraged to provide feedback to participants during the judging period. For more information on judging criteria please refer to the CHOP Poster Day Judging Guide.
  • Judging will be split into three sessions:
    • Session A Judging: Monday, May 4th from 2:30 - 4:00pm
    • Session B Judging: Tuesday, May 5th from 9:00 - 10:30am
    • Session C Judging: Wednesday, May 6th from 9:30 - 11:00am
  • You will be notified of your time slot after abstract submission closes. The reception and poster awards ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 6th at 4:45pm in the Hub.

Poster session questions can be directed to the Office of Academic Training and Outreach Programs at ATOP@chop.edu.

The theme of the 2026 symposium is Big Data, Omics, and AI and will highlight the remarkable breakthroughs achieved over the last decade by CHOP researchers. We are honored to host two distinguished keynote speakers. Regina Barzilay, PhD, School of Engineering Distinguished Professor of AI and Health at MIT, and Steven E. Brenner, PhD, Professor at the University of California, Berkeley, will deliver keynote presentations.

Keynote Speakers

Regina Barzilay, PhD
School of Engineering Distinguished Professor for AI and Health, MIT

Regina Barzilay is a School of Engineering Distinguished Professor of AI & Health in the Department of Computer Science and the AI Faculty Lead at MIT Jameel Clinic. She develops machine learning methods for drug discovery and clinical AI. In the past, she worked on natural language processing. Her research has been recognized with the MacArthur Fellowship, an NSF Career Award, the AAAI Squirrel AI Award for Artificial Intelligence for the Benefit of Humanity, and the IEEE Frances E. Allen Medal for innovative machine learning algorithms that have led to advances in human language technology and demonstrated impact on the field of medicine. Regina is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, National Academy of Medicine, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Steven E. Brenner, PhD
Professor, University of California, Berkeley

Steven Brenner’s research is primarily in the area of computational genomics, including genome variation interpretation, genomic privacy, RNA regulation, protein structure evolution, and function prediction. He has a particular interest in the use of genome sequencing in newborns for population screening and new methods for genomic diagnosis.

Brenner’s undergraduate research was in the first genome laboratory, mentored by Walter Gilbert at Harvard. He received his M.Phil. from the Department of Biochemistry at Cambridge University, and earned a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge and the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology where he studied with Cyrus Chothia. Brenner had a fellowship at the Japan National Institute of Bioscience, followed by postdoctoral research supervised by Michael Levitt at Stanford University School of Medicine. He is a founder and chair of the CAGI consortium, co-founder and former chair of the ClinGen Computational Working group.

Brenner has a commitment to supporting open science and career development. His recognitions including being a Miller Professor, a Sloan Research Fellow, a Searle Scholar, an AAAS Fellow, an ISCB Fellow, and a recipient of ISCB’s Overton Prize.

The Networking Reception on May 5th, 2026 is generously sponsored by the CHOP Omics & Big Data Initiative.

The CHOP Omics & Big Data Initiative is bringing us closer to our vision to:

  • Lead in developing new omics-based diagnostics and therapeutics for children
  • Be the destination of choice for the diagnosis and treatment of complicated diseases using omics technology

Our vision focuses on further developing, accelerating, and optimizing our omics expertise and infrastructure through the accomplishment of six strategic objectives:

  1. Accelerate development of an industry-leading data platform and sharing model
  2. Expand and accelerate basic and translational research and CHOP-sponsored clinical trials
  3. Create a more integrated precision medicine clinical environment
  4. Optimize in-house diagnostic portfolio to focus on differentiated services & financial stewardship
  5. Introduce new training and career development programs to attract and retain the best talent
  6. Pursue strategic external partnerships to accelerate clinical and research efforts

Planning Committee Members