How do you decide what information to include on your poster and what to leave out?

I usually start by creating a general outline with slightly more data and information in each section than I plan to include. From there, I focus on condensing the content, leaving out unnecessary details that are non-essential for understanding or that might be repetitive.

How do you make sure the most important points of your research stand out on your poster?

I ensure the most important points of my research stand out by using high-quality, comprehensive, and easily understandable figures that convey the main findings with minimal reading required. Additionally, I highlight key findings using standalone text, larger font sizes, italics, bold formatting, or arrows to draw attention.

What is the best way to effectively communicate your research when you only have limited time to present?

Having a thorough understanding of your research is important, but it’s also crucial to remember that the audience may not be familiar with your specific project. Instead of trying to include as much information as possible, which can result in speaking too fast or losing the audience’s attention, I focus on presenting the main findings highlighted on the poster. I also mention that additional details or questions can be addressed during the poster viewing.

How do you adapt your approach when presenting your poster to different audiences? For instance, how does your presentation style differ when engaging with participants at the Flagship School compared to experienced researchers?

The overall quality of the presentation remains consistent, but I adapt my language and approach based on the audience. For example, when presenting to fellow PhD students or peers, I might incorporate references to shared experiences or previous knowledge from our time together, such as activities or discussions during the Flagship School.

How would you (quickly) describe your research to those who are unfamiliar with neurochemistry?

My project focuses on identifying clinically relevant lipid markers to improve schizophrenia diagnostics and monitor disease progression. To achieve this, I use mass spectrometry, neuroimaging, and advanced machine learning to analyze matched cerebrospinal fluid and serum samples from diverse cohorts of study participants and healthy volunteers.

What approaches do you use to make your research relatable and engaging?

I use visually striking, modern figures that catch the eye and maintain interest, as they are crucial for engagement. I also make a conscious effort to keep the bigger picture in mind, relating each major finding back to the overall project objective to avoid getting lost in the details.

What design or text choices do you think are the most important for grabbing someone’s attention in busy poster sessions?

I prioritize a coherent color pattern that draws attention to the poster without being too overpowering or using excessively bright colors. Design details, such as confident font choices and appropriate font sizes for paragraphs and titles, are also important. Additionally, I ensure there is enough space for well-designed figures, as these are often noticed first. A poster that is too text- heavy can be overwhelming and may cause the audience to lose interest.

Are there any specific methods you used during the Flagship School that made your poster interesting?

I used figures created with BioRender.com, dedicating significant time to ensure they stood out as the main visual feature of the poster. Additionally, I selected a well-structured layout that divided the different sections - introduction, methods, results, and summary- into visually distinct areas, separated by colored boxes and clear headlines.

What is the one thing that people need to remember when presenting a scientific poster?

Remember that no one knows your project as well as you do! Make sure to avoid jumping straight into details and instead explain the overall objective and key findings in a way that is easy for people unfamiliar with your method, drug, or topic to follow. This helps ensure you don’t lose your audience’s attention.

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