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What is the GAC?
The GAC is a forum for graduate students to gain experience communicating their research to a non-specialized audience. Our adjudicators are MSU Alums (many graduate school alums!) with wide-ranging professional backgrounds who provide feedback that can help students fine tune their presentation skills.
The annual GAC is the result of hard work and planning by our all-graduate & professional student committee.
As a presenter, you will benefit from constructive feedback that will help you learn to better communicate your research to generalized audiences as you progress in your research. You will also be able to network with your peers across disciplines as well as with your audience of judges and other interested professionals attending the conference! As an attendee, you will be able to view the great work being done by student researchers as well as have access to workshops geared to help all graduate/professional students!
Who is eligible to participate? ALL MSU Graduate & Professional students! Masters/PhD and all professional students – at any point in your program. ALL disciplines. ALL colleges. The GAC is a great place to hone your skills as a communicator and presenter! Communication is a skill that takes practice. The GAC helps students get the practice and provides feedback they need to become better communicators.
Abstract Submission/Registration (click/tap to open section)
2027 GAC – General Information
ABSTRACT SUBMISSION IS OPEN! SUBMIT YOURS BY JANUARY 15, 2027!
Event Date: Saturday, February 20, 2027
Location: MSU Union (2nd & 3rd Floors)
Hours: approx. 9am-5pm
Presentation Formats:
- POSTER: Poster (material and size is your choice/no specific requirements) – Be prepared to give a 3-5 minute summary, followed by 3-min. Q/A to judging panel.
- ORAL: PowerPoint Digital presentation. You will have 10 minutes to present, followed by 3-min. Q/A to judging panel.
- 3-MINUTE THESIS (3MT): Digital- 1 single static PowerPoint slide (no transitions). Presenters will be given 3 minutes to present their thesis and must abide by the national rules. More information can be found by clicking on the 3MT Tab on this website below.
Multiple Submissions: You may participate with multiple presentations as long as it’s not more than two, and one of them must be the Three Minute Thesis. So, you may submit either a poster plus a 3MT, or an oral presentation plus a 3MT. You may NOT submit both an oral presentation and a poster presentation.
Presentation Format Information Sheets:
What is 3MT?
Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) celebrates the exciting research conducted by Ph.D. students around the world. Developed by The University of Queensland (UQ), the competition cultivates students’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills. Presenting in a 3MT competition increases their capacity to effectively explain their research in three minutes, in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience. Competitors are allowed one PowerPoint slide, but no other resources or props. The winner of MSU’s 3MT competition will have the opportunity to compete at the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) 3MT in April 2025. Students must be enrolled during the Spring 2025 semester to compete. For more information about the 3MT, including criteria for judging etc., see here: https://mags-net.org/three-minute-thesis-award/
We strongly encourage you to visit: https://threeminutethesis.uq.edu.au for more information on 3MT.
Abstract Submission: SUBMIT HERE
- Submission should include Advisor Consent Form (signed)
- Please pay the $5.00 presenter fee AFTER you receive the Confirmation email from the GAC Committee (Here is the link for the FEE)
- Also – register for the conference (see below)
- Abstracts and conference registration DUE by January 15, 2027.
Conference Registration Form:
*Please register to attend the conference so that we can count you for other activities, such as workshops/meetings, keynote and lunch.
CO-presenters and Non-Presenters: Everyone is welcome to attend the conference to view presentations, participate in activities, attend our Keynote event and more! There is no charge for any of the events. For co-presenters where your primary presenter has completed the Abstract Submission form – please fill out the attendee registration form as well to be counted for lunch and activities!
Additional Information:
More information will be posted here and in the sections below in the coming weeks, as plans are finalized. The committee is working on related activities for the conference, including professional headshots, CV Review/worksops, keynote, and more. Be sure to click open the tabs below to find topics/info related to the GAC.
3-Minute Thesis (3MT) Information (click/tap to open section)
What is 3MT?
Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) celebrates the exciting research conducted by Ph.D. students around the world. Developed by The University of Queensland (UQ), the competition cultivates students’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills. Presenting in a 3MT competition increases their capacity to effectively explain their research in three minutes, in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience. Competitors are allowed one PowerPoint slide, but no other resources or props. The winner of MSU’s 3MT competition will have the opportunity to compete at the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) 3MT in April 2025. Students must be enrolled during the Spring 2025 semester to compete. For more information about the 3MT, including criteria for judging etc., see here: https://mags-net.org/three-minute-thesis-award/
We strongly encourage you to visit: https://threeminutethesis.uq.edu.au for more information on 3MT.
For Conference Day:
- Please upload your slide (digital file) to the provided link – TBA
- Slide is due by: TBA
- Presenters should also bring a copy of their presentation slides on a USB drive if unforeseen technological difficulties occur preventing access to the submitted presentation.
LINK TO UPLOAD will be posted in January of 2027. (Or you may email to gac@cogs.msu.edu)
Room Themes 2027 (click/tap to open section)
| Pedagogical & Research Advancements
This session will focus on either of two key areas: innovations in research tools contributing to knowledge growth or innovative approaches in education and pedagogy aimed at expanding knowledge. For the research aspect, submissions may explore advancements in methodologies and tools that enhance the rigor and efficiency of research across various disciplines. In the realm of education, abstracts could cover new teaching methods, curriculum designs, and educational technologies that not only enrich learning experiences but also actively contribute to the acquisition of knowledge in diverse fields. |
Community Engagement & Social Impact
This session highlights academic research that explores the ways in which communities are engaged and the social impact of such connections. Topics may include community-based projects, partnerships between academic institutions and communities, and the measurable outcomes of community engagement initiatives. |
| Sustainable Solutions
This session focuses on research that showcases innovative technologies designed to address environmental challenges and promote sustainability. Submissions may cover a range of topics, including renewable energy sources, eco-friendly materials, sustainable manufacturing processes, and advancements in waste reduction and recycling technologies. |
Innovate for Tomorrow
This session highlights your most recent and impactful findings. Whether it’s a breakthrough in medical science, an innovative technological solution, or expanding perspectives in your field, we encourage abstracts that communicate the results and implications of your research. |
Poster Resources at MSU (click/tap to open section)
Resources
Poster Printing
Don’t know where to get your poster printed? Look into your department first to see if there is a place to print posters. If not, head over to the help desk at the Main Library 2nd Floor, Hollander Makerspace, Print & Production Center. Below is a little bit of information that may be helpful for you as well!
Where can I get a poster printed & how much does it cost for a poster?
Find the answers here:
- MSU Library: https://lib.msu.edu/Hollander/Servicedesk
- Erickson Hall: https://education.msu.edu/resources/buildings-technology/service-center/
- Dept. of Radiology: https://radiology.msu.edu/about/graphics-and-printing
- Dept. of Plant Biology: https://plantbiology.natsci.msu.edu/resources/department_resources.aspx
- The poster printing service is only available to MSU Students and Faculty/Staff. You must have a valid MSU NetID to log into computers that support the software needed to send a poster.
Having trouble designing your poster?
Follow this link to a cool new poster presentation called the Better Poster! https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2019/06/24/theres-movement-better-scientific-posters-are-they-really-better
Undergraduate Research at MSU has some good information about Research Posters: https://urca.msu.edu/posters
Here are some additional links to youtube videos about poster design and how to make a poster in PowerPoint.
How to Create a Better Research Poster in Less Time
Mike Morrison on Better Posters
How to Use Science to Make Your Scientific Poster More Powerful
Workshops (click/tap to open section)
2027 Info: TBA
The 2027 GAC Planning Committee is hard at work! Please check back here for information on GAC-related workshops and related activities. This year will include a free CV consultation and free professional headshots too! We can’t wait to share our exciting plans with you!
FAQ & Forms for Speakers and Presenters (click/tap to open section)
FORMS & DOCUMENTS:
CONFERENCE DAY SCHEDULE *(Not yet available)
PRESENTATION / JUDGING SCHEDULE – CLICK HERE! *(Not yet available)
PRESENTATION INFORMATION – Click Here!
RUBRICS for All Presentations – Click Here!
*For Conference Day: WATCH FOR IMPORTANT DETAILS HERE
Presenters should also bring a copy of their presentation slides on a USB drive if unforeseen technological difficulties occur preventing access to the submitted presentation.
Poster Presenters: Any (reasonable) size and orientation poster will do – there are no specifications on size for this conference, as we know that many of you have posters with specific sizes you are using for other conferences. We want you to be able to use those here if applicable, because the GAC is great place to practice for upcoming industry conferences and get constructive feedback! We’ll have large easel boards as well as wall boards for hanging your poster, so there are flexible options. You’ll be assigned an easel/space number and we’ll have clips and tape, etc. that you can use to attach your poster. Staff will be available to assist if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do we register as co-presenters? Will we required to submitted separate Abstracts and pay the registration fees separately?
If you have co-presenters, please fill out the Conference Registration Form to be counted for the workshops, keynote, meal, and more! You will not need to fill out a separate Abstract Submission Form or pay the Presenter Fee. Only the primary presenter must fill out the Abstract Submission Form and pay the Presenter’s Fee for the group. separately to be counted for the workshops, keynote, meal, and more! However, you do not need to fill out a separate Abstract Submission Form or pay the registration fee separately. Only the primary presenter must fill out the Abstract Submission Form and they can pay the registration fee once for the group.
Can I have multiple submissions?
Yes, but only with 3MT you may submit to more than one category.
The only combination allowed is 3MT with either a Poster or an Oral Presentation. Poster and Oral Presentation cannot be submitted together. (You will only need to pay the $5 once however.)
Can I only attend the conference without presenting? How should I proceed?
Great – yes! Please fill out the Conference Registration Form so that we have your workshop preference and will count you for the meal, if applicable.
Do I need to be an enrolled student to participate?
*Yes. In order to participate as a presenter at this conference, you must be a currently (Spring of 2027) enrolled graduate or professional student at MSU. Please note that in order to win prize funds for the presentation categories, you will need to be enrolled in Spring of 2027 to receive the funds because they are distributed through the office of financial aid as a scholarship award. **If you are a graduate/professional student/post doc that is not enrolled in classes Spring27 semester, you can let us know and if we have room, you may be able to present, though you would not be eligible to win prize funds.
Do I need to be an enrolled student to attend the conference?
No. Staff, faculty, post-docs, students not currently enrolled, and friends, family, and the community are encouraged to attend.
Do I need to be the first author on a research project to present?
No. You can still present as long as you have permission from the author and document such on your advisor consent letter submitted with the abstract.
Can I present a published research project?
Yes. You can still present as long as you have permission and document such on your advisor consent letter submitted with the abstract.
Can I present a research project that has been presented at a different conference?
Yes. You can still present as long as you have permission and document such on your advisor consent letter submitted with the abstract.
Please remember – you will be getting critical feedback on how well you explain and communicate the research and not on the quality or content of the research itself.
Keynote Speaker (click/tap to open section)
2027 Keynote Information
Time & Location: Noon – Luncheon @ 2nd Floor Ballroom
*STAY TUNED FOR INFORMATION TO COME!
Important Information for Judges (click/tap to open section)
2027 CONFERENCE DAY SCHEDULE – *TBA
PRESENTATION/JUDGING SCHEDULE – *TBA
Please check in at the registration area in the Lobby Area outside of Union Ballroom (2nd Floor). Registration table will open at 9:00 AM. If you have any questions throughout the day, please feel free to ask someone at Registration (or GAC Staff member) Please note, the GAC Committee is scheduling Judge “orientation/training” sessions and will update this information here and via email. There will likely be late changes due to presenters and/or judge cancellations. We’ll do our best to provide up to date information during the event. GAC Staff and volunteers will be there to help! You can always find us at the Registration area outside the Ballroom on Floor 2.
There will be a Judges Lounge located in the MSU Room.
Click on the link above if you need a quick glance at presentation times or location. Or come to the Registration Area (2nd floor outside of ballroom) if you need assistance!
- You will receive an email with all day-of details that you will need.
- We will have a session onsite at the conference to go over responsibilities for the conference and to help with any concerns.
- Session assignment times will be emailed to you. Please feel free to contact us if you have questions!
- Thank you for your service! Go Green!
- Questions? Contact the COGS Office: office@cogs.msu.edu or call (517) 353-9189.
2026 GAC Program & Category Winners
Congratulations to the Judge’s Choice Winners for 2026!
COGS is pleased to announce the winning presenters from the 2026 Graduate Academic Conference, held on February 21, 2026 at the MSU Union. These presenters were truly outstanding and impressed the pool of judges who rated & provided feedback to presenters. COGS is proud of ALL who presented their work at the conference. They amazed us with their important and thoughtful presentations and made us all proud to be Spartans!
Poster Presentation Winners:
FIRST PLACE: Lydia Story (College of Natural Science, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology)
- Abstract: Characterization of Novel Protein-Small Molecule Interactions for Plant Stress Resistance and Bacterial Pathogenesis
SECOND PLACE: Luke Baylis (College of Osteopathic Medicine)
- Abstract: Barriers to Dermatologic Care in the Geriatric Population
THIRD PLACE: Cynthia Hinderscheid (College of Human Medicine)
- Abstract: Impact of Area-Level Socioeconomic Status on Transfusion Risk in Pediatric Cranial Vault Reconstruction
Oral Presentation Winners:
FIRST PLACE: Alexis VanBaarle (College of Social Science, Anthropology)
- Abstract: Modeling Histological Cranial Vault Fracture Healing to Estimate Time Since Injury in Forensic Casework
SECOND PLACE: Jaime Brooks (College of Veterinary Medicine)
- Abstract: Generalized Anxiety and Ease of Canine Acclimation to an Underwater Treadmill
THIRD PLACE: Josh Marwede College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Abstract: Diagnostic Limitations of the SCAT-6: A Sideline Concussion Evaluation Study in Division I Football
3-Minute Thesis Winners:
FIRST PLACE: Isabel Leadbetter (College of Veterinary Medicine)
- Abstract: Efficacy of a low total iodine, high free iodine post-milking teat disinfectant in preventing new intramammary infections
SECOND PLACE: Grace Semaan (College of Natural Science, Microbiology & Molecular Genetics)
- Abstract: Painting the Metabolic Mosaic of Nitrogen Utilization in Microbial Communities Using Stable Isotope Analysis
THIRD PLACE: Sarah Gonzalez Henao* (College of Natural Science – Earth and Environmental Science/Microbiology, Microbiology & Molecular Genetics)
- Abstract: Astrobiology Insights of Biofilms in Serpentinization-Associated Extreme Environments
Previous Conferences (click/tap to open section)
Past Programs:
Thank you to all who volunteered, judged, attended, presented, and planned our 12th Annual GAC! See below for pictures of the event.
Please see here for article – The State News
Videos from VIRTUAL GAC 2021 (click/tap to open section)
Thank you all for attending this year’s conference! The day went so well and we could not have asked for better presentations! Thank you to our judges for all of your hard work! We also want to thank our workshop organizers/presenters and our Keynote speaker Provost Woodruff from MSU. The day was a huge success and we are so happy that the first ever virtual GAC was enjoyed by all that attended!
Below you will find the videos that we collected from the conference. We only recorded the Keynote Address and the Awards as we did not want any issues with research grants to effect our student presenters as they continue their work.
For those that attended the conference you are still able to access Whova for the videos as well. Thank you for your attendance and we look forward to next year’s conference!
Awards
Keynote
MSU Union Information
Address: 49 Abbot Rd. East Lansing, MI 48824
Accessibility
The accessible entrance to the MSU union is located on the Abbot Road (west) side of the building. There is a ramp located to the right of the main doors and an elevator directly to the left once inside the building. There is a circular driveway drop off area on Abbot Road close to the ramp.
Directions & Parking: Click Here
*Closest parking ramp is Ramp 6 – also known as the Grand River Parking Ramp. Ramp is pay-by-plate 24/7. There are also metered parking spaces located in an around the Union. Metered spaces are FREE on weekends. You may also find free spaces behind nearby as well. MSU Campus Maps – Michigan State University
