Frequently Asked Questions
When and where am I presenting?
Approximately a week before the conference, you will receive an email that contains your presentation location and time.
What should I expect to do when I get to the conference?
Download the Conference Instructions for Attendees 2013 (
152 KB) for instructions and tips about the conference.
What is required for the abstract submission?
The abstract is a 250-word (or less) summary of your work that describes: a) the purpose of your work, b) the central research question addressed, c) a brief description of your methods, and d) the findings and implications of your work.
Are presentations from all disciplines welcome?
Yes, we encourage students from every discipline to showcase their work.
Are all submissions for presentations accepted?
Yes, all submissions that have a faculty mentor and that, if relevant, have received IRB approval from MSU Denver.(http://www.msudenver.edu/irb/).
What types of presentations will there be?
Both oral papers and poster presentations are welcome. If there is another format that better suits your discipline, then contact the Undergraduate Research Program and we will try to accommodate you.
Can a presentation have multiple authors?
Absolutely. Works resulting from collaborations are invited. When a work has more than one author, the group will select one primary contact for the conference and only that person will upload the abstract. The authors that are not the primary will still register for the conference. Please contact undergradresearch@msudenver.edu if you have any questions.
May I request a specific time for my presentation or change my time once it is scheduled?
Unfortunately we cannot accommodate requests for specific presentation times. To present at the conference, you must be able to present your work during any of the sessions.
When will I find out where and when my presentation will be?
No. However, we understand that during the course of research individuals encounter unexpected outcomes and even some unexpected roadblocks that can impact the findings or the ability to completely address a research question. If, after you've submitted your abstract, you find yourself in a situation where the actual findings of your inquiry lead you to be at odds with what you expected to find, don't worry--just explain the changes to your audience.
May I withdraw my presentation after submission?
Submitting an abstract for presentation is a professional commitment. If you submit an abstract, you are agreeing to present it at the conference on that day. If you are, for reasons beyond your control, unable to attend, you should first try to get an undergraduate colleague to present the paper for you. If you cannot find someone to replace you, inform us that you are unable to attend and are unable to find a replacement. We will inform the session chair that you will not be able to present.
Can I present in a foreign language (e.g., Spanish or German)?
Yes. If you wish to make a presentation in a language other than English, please select "Modern Foreign Language" as your desired topic area on the abstract submission form.
What should be the duration of the oral presentation?
Oral presentations are limited to 10 minutes, with three additional minutes for questions.
Are PowerPoints allowed during the oral presentation?
Powerpoints are encouraged for oral presentations and will be supported with PC laptops provided by the conference.
What are the recommended poster dimensions?
Posters are limited to a maximum of 3' x 4'. Poster board and easels will be provided at the conference. You can attach your poster with the available thumbtacks.
I've heard that there will be awards for some posters and presentations. Can you tell me more about them?
To opt-in to the awards competition, the primary student presenter must submit an extended abstract (500 words max.) in addition to submitting the presentation abstract. Each extended abstract will be rated by a panel of professionals from a diverse set of academic fields who are well-versed in the scientific method, research processes, and scholarship. Based on these extended abstract ratings, 5 poster presentations and 5 oral presentations will be designated as semi-finalists. To select award recipients, these semi-finalist presentations will be judged on the day of the conference. The award recipients will be revealed at the conference awards ceremony.
How many awards are there? On what criteria will presentations be judged?
President's Award for Oral Presentations
$200 for Best Student Presentation
$150 for Outstanding Student Presentation
$100 for Honorable Mention Student Presentation
Provost's Award for Poster Presentations
$200 for Best Student Poster
$150 for Outstanding Student Poster
$100 for Honorable Mention Student Poster
What will be the conference format?
Conference Schedule: Conference Schedule: May 3, 2013 ( 92 KB)
How many sessions will there be?
There will be four oral presentation sessions. We anticipate that concurrent oral presentations will go on is several rooms in the North Classroom at the same time.
Will there be certificates for participation or only for achievement?
Each participant will receive a certificate of participation.
If I do my research off campus at a business or another institution can I still present my research at the conference?
YES, as a MSU Denver student you are eligible to present at the MSU Denver Undergraduate Research Conference, and no, it does not matter that your research is done off-campus.
If I do my research off-campus, do I still need a faculty mentor?
Yes, your supervisor can act as your faculty mentor, or an MSU Denver faculty familiar with work could do that also.
Can I participate if I have already graduated?
Yes, alumni may present research they conducted as MSU Denver undergraduates.
Do I need IRB approval?
Presenters at the Undergraduate Research Conference are responsible for ensuring that they have followed appropriate procedures for human subjects research as outlined by the MSU Denver Human Subjects Protection Program. The MSU Denver Institutional Review Board is the final authority on this issue so please refer all questions to them at www.msudenver.edu/irb.
Who can I contact to get more information?
Please contact us by email undergradresearch@msudenver.edu or by phone 303-556-4260.
2nd Annual MSU Denver Undergraduate Research
Conference Award Winners
President Jordan’s Oral Presentation Award Winners
Best Oral Presentation
Sharon Wharton, Human Development
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Lisa Badanes
"Stressed and Depressed: The Role of Self-Compassion in College Students’ Well Being"
Outstanding Oral Presentation
Jennifer Jennings, Biology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Robert Hancock
"The Phototactic Response of Planktonic Marine Crab Larvae to the Wavelength and Intensity of Light"
Honorable Mention Oral Presentation
Nick Nelson, Biology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Andrew Bonham and Dr. Douglas Petcoff
"Investigation of Extracellular Microenvironments and Small Molecule Chemistry for the Maintenance and Differentiation of Pluripotent Embryonic Stem Cells to Foster Neural Specification"
Provost Golich’s Poster Presentation Award Winners
Best Poster Presentation
Caitlin McConnell, Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Lesley Hathorn
"Reading Compensation: Reading Rate as a Predictor of Student Success"
Outstanding Poster Presentation
Jacob Paschall, Biology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Mark Mazurek
"Reducing the Flash-Lag Effect Using Spatial Reference Cues"
Honorable Mention Poster Presentation
Jennifer Kane, Leslie Wall, and Kaitlin Hornbostel, Nutrition
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Michelle Tollefson and Dr. Jennifer Weddig
"The effect of immediate and continued skin-to-skin contact on breastfeeding duration and exclusivity"
