About

The Life and Health Sciences Research Expo acknowledges exemplary research and learning activity at the University of Saskatchewan. This annual event is a showcase for interdisciplinary health science research throughout the province and across both basic and clinical sciences. 

The event consists of two poster competition sessions — one in the morning and one in the afternoon with up to 160 research posters presented — plus a networking reception and award presentations. Student prizes for the research expo total over $5,000.

USask students, researchers, faculty, and senior leaders are invited to celebrate outstanding research, collaboration, and mentorship within the health sciences.

Download the 2019 Life and Health Sciences Research Expo book to review abstracts and summaries from previous award winners.

 

Ways to participate

  • Submit an abstract for the research poster competition
  • Submit a paper for the Best Paper Award
  • Nominate an outstanding faculty supervisor for the Best Supervisor Award

2020 dates (cancelled due to COVID-19)

Thursday, April 9, 2020 — Deadline to register and submit materials (abstracts for the poster competition, papers, and/or award nominations)
Thursday, May 7, 2020 — 2020 Life and Health Sciences Research Expo

Register now!

The registration and materials submission period for the 2020 Life and Health Sciences Research Expo closed April 9, 2020.

Research poster competition

Graduate students, undergraduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and dentistry and medical residents are invited to submit an abstract in order to participate in the Life and Health Sciences Research Expo poster competition.

Research poster competition categories:

  • Basic Science
  • Clinical Science
  • Social & Population Health

Based on the quality of the research presented, there may also be additional awards presented for achievement aligning with the following themes:

  • Interdisciplinary/Interprofessional Collaboration
  • Sex and Gender in Health Research
  • Indigenous Health Research
NOTE: Presenters must choose one of the three competition categories. Declaring alignment with a research theme is optional.

Application guidelines

  • The call for abstracts operates on a first-come, first-served basis and will remain open until 160 abstracts have been received or until the deadline is reached—whichever comes first.
  • The deadline for submitting an abstract to the 2020 poster competition is end-of-day April 9, 2020
  • Accepted applicants will be notified by email no later than April 17, 2020.
  • Click here to preview the 2020 poster abstract submission form.

Poster guidelines

  • The accepted poster dimensions are no greater than 48" wide x 48" high.
    • Students are responsible for printing their own posters.
    • The recommended printer is XL Printing on USask campus.
  • Click here for tips on creating an eye-catching poster.
  • Click here for the USask poster template.
  • Click here for approved USask logos to include on your poster.

Best Paper Award

At an awards ceremony to be held on May 7, 2020, cash prizes will be awarded to outstanding research papers submitted to the Life and Health Sciences Research Expo.

Application guidelines

Previous award winner
  • Undergraduate and graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and dentistry and medical residents are invited to submit a paper.
  • The deadline for submitting a paper is end-of-day April 9, 2020
    • Click here to preview the registration questions.
  • The paper must be high-quality and published in an academic, peer-reviewed journal after July 1, 2018.
  • Applicants must be a senior author on the paper.
  • Applicants do not have to submit an abstract for the poster competition to be considered for this award.
  • Winners will be notified via email and will be invited to the awards portion of the Research Expo on May 7, where they will receive their prize.
  • Best paper winners will share their research in a three-minute thesis-style presentation at the lunch awards ceremony.

Best Supervisor Award

This student-nominated award honours a faculty supervisor who has provided outstanding mentorship and guidance to graduate students in the health sciences at the University of Saskatchewan. 

Nomination guidelines

Previous award winner
  • Nominators do not have to submit an abstract for the poster competition in order to nominate a faculty supervisor.
  • The winner will be notified via email and invited to be recognized by the nominator among students and peers at the late afternoon awards portion of the May 7 Research Expo.
  • The nomination deadline is end-of-day April 9, 2020.
  • Click here to preview the nomination questions.

2020 agenda

Life and Health Sciences Research Expo

Health Sciences, D-Wing, USask campus, Saskatoon

Thursday, May 7, 2020

8 – 8:30 am Morning session registration/poster set-up
D-Wing, outside Room 1B21, Health Sciences Building
8:30 – 11:30 am Morning poster competition session
D-Wing Atrium, 2nd and 3rd floors, Health Sciences Building
11:30 am – 12 noon Afternoon session registration/poster set-up
D-Wing, outside Room 1B21, Health Sciences Building
12 noon – 1 pm Lunch and Best Paper Award presentations
HLTH B450

1 – 4 pm

Afternoon poster competition session
D-Wing Atrium, 2nd and 3rd floors, Health Sciences Building

4 – 5 pm

Networking reception
D-Wing Atrium, Health Sciences Building

5 – 5:30 pm

Awards and Recognition
D-Wing Atrium, Health Sciences Building

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

  • What are the best practices for creating my research poster?
    • The accepted poster dimensions are no greater than 48" wide x 48" high.
    • Click here for tips on creating an eye-catching poster.
    • Click here for the USask poster template.
    • Click here for approved USask logos to include on your poster.
  • Are the poster presentations timed?
    • Presentations will not be timed. There are no official timekeepers; however, judges will be encouraged to spend no more than 10 minutes with each presenter (including time for questions).
    • It is recommended that poster presenters plan on presenting for approximately 6-8 minutes and that they allow about 2-4 minutes for questions.
  • I won a prize at the Life and Health Sciences Research Expo. How do I claim it?
    • Click here for the form to claim your research day prize.
      • Submit the form to the USask Health Sciences Office in Room 5D30 on the 5th floor of the Health Sciences Building (D Wing).
      • Expect to receive your payment within two weeks of submitting your paperwork to claim your prize.
  • How will I know which poster session I'm presenting in?
    • The USask Health Sciences will notify poster participants whether they will be presenting in the morning or afternoon session

 

Sponsors

The University of Saskatchewan Life and Health Sciences Research Expo would not be possible without the continued support of our sponsors. We would like to thank our sponsors for helping showcase the interdisciplinary health science research taking place throughout the province and across both basic and clinical sciences.

University of Saskatchewan sponsors