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2026 Student Delegate Poster Abstract Submission Form

Instructions for Submitting a Poster Abstract

Student Delegate Requirements

All training programs have been invited to send two representatives each to attend our Annual Conference.  Student delegates are required to participate in a number of activities leading up to and during their time at the conference.  In return, the AAPA will provide complimentary conference registration and dorm style accommodations, with two students per room, for the length of the program.  Student delegates are responsible for their own airfare, meals outside of those provided with conference registration, and any incidentals.  Each student delegate is required to arrive on Sunday afternoon and depart on Thursday.  The total length of stay will be five (5) days and four (4) nights at the conference.  Each student delegate must meet the following requirements to participate in the program:

The Student Delegate Program includes updated poster and manuscript requirements designed to be equitable and achievable for all participants, reflecting thoughtful changes to better align with most students’ training timelines. The poster will be the primary deliverable presented at the conference, while the manuscript will be completed over a longer timeframe to allow students the full experience of identifying a case and developing a case study. Please review the updated deadlines carefully, as this represents a departure from how the program has been structured in the past.

  • Write a peer-reviewed manuscript for publication 
    • Manuscript draft due December 31, 2026
    • Final manuscript, to incorporate peer review feedback, due March 31, 2027
    • Top manuscripts may published in our quarterly journal, The Cutting Edge
  • Present a poster at the conference (does not need to be based on the manuscript)
    • Poster abstract due May 8
    • Poster PDF and two draft CE quiz questions due June 15
    • Peer review feedback, rubric returned to author target July 15
    • Resubmission of FINAL poster PDF and CE quiz questions, if requested by AAPA, due August 3
    • Poster presentation recordings as assigned during the month of August
    • Poster presentations as assigned during the Conference.
  • Onsite attendance requirements
    • Volunteer for a minimum of one (1) of the available conference duty roster shifts.  Areas to volunteer include registration, breakfast name badge scanning, reception check in, etc.  Registration for volunteer slots will be sent out closer to the conference.
    • “Meet and Greet” with other delegates, AAPA Leadership, and registered student attendees
    • Student roundtable discussion
    • All Receptions – Welcome Party, Happy Hour with the Exhibitors
    • All lectures Monday – Wednesday.  As time permits with scheduled departure on Thursday, attend morning/afternoon lectures.

Eligibility

  • The first author must be a student member of the AAPA chosen to represent their program in their second year of training as of the Annual Conference.
  • Poster submitted for scholarship or grant at any other state and/or national pathology conference or which have been accepted for prior publication are not eligible.
  • The poster must be the original work of the author(s).
  • One submission per delegate.

Subject Matter

  • Poster presentations may cover a wide variety of topics including case studies, individual projects, PA-specific tasks (coding, finances, management, education, training, forensics, etc.).
  • Poster does not need to be based on your manuscript.

Abstract Format

  • Submit the poster abstract as a Word document.
    • Font – Arial, 11 pt.
  • All text must be double-spaced with left sided text alignment.
  • Add an extra return between paragraphs.
  • Do not indent the first line of the paragraph.
  • Abbreviations.
    • Except for units of measure, abbreviations are discouraged. Except for units of measure, the first time an abbreviation is used, it should be preceded by the words for which it stands for.
  • When using acronyms, spell out the full name on the first use followed by the acronym in parentheses.
  • The general format of a poster abstract is as follows (you may adjust headings to match your particular poster if needed):
    • Author(s)
    • Title
    • Background information
    • Methods
    • Results
    • Conclusion
  • The poster abstract should be about one page in length.

Poster Details

    • Poster size requirements:  3’ x 4’  If needed, download a sample PPT poster template here
    • Poster abstract is due May 8.
    • Poster PDF and two multiple choice CE questions are due June 15.
    • Resubmission of FINAL poster PDF and two CE quiz questions are due August 3.
    • Poster presentation recording will be assigned during the month of August .  This will provide a wider reach to your presentation for those unable to attend the conference in person.
    • Poster presentations as assigned the week the Conference, with the majority of delegates assigned Monday and Tuesday.  You will be notified of your assigned date/time prior to the conference.   Presenters must be physically present at their poster during their entire assigned presentation time.

    Questions

    • Contact us if you have any questions, including any issues encountered in uploading your files, at [email protected].

    Submissions are now closed.