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Frequently Asked Questions
Abstract Submissions
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Yes! If your oral presentation abstract is not accepted, it will automatically be considered for a poster presentation. You can choose this option on the oral abstract submission form.
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All abstracts will be reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the summer. You will receive notification about your abstract no later than August 31st.
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Please do not submit a new abstract. Instead, email us directly at southeastermdphd@gmail.com with your request, and we’ll assist you
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If you need to withdraw your abstract, please email us at southeastermdphd@gmail.com
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No. If you need to update, change, or modify your abstract submission, please email us at southeasternmdphd@gmail.com.
Registration
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Once you’ve filled out the registration form, click the cart icon in the bottom right corner. Then, select the “checkout” button to enter your payment information and finalize your registration.
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Please email southeasternmdphd@gmail.com with the details you would like to modify.
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To cancel your registration, email southeasternmdphd@gmail.com. Cancellations made before the registration deadline (September 6th) are eligible for a refund. After this date, no full or partial refunds will be given.
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Please contact us at southeasternmdphd@gmail.com to discuss possible registration transfers.
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At this time, group discounts are not available.
Travel Awards
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Applications are reviewed as they are received, but all notifications will be sent out by August 31st. Notifications will be sent out starting in mid-August.
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Travel awards are available to active undergraduate students who have submitted a poster or oral abstract for SEMSS 2025. Further details are on the Undergraduate Travel Award page.
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Our deadline to notify all applicants for poster presentations and travel grants is August 31st, so expect to hear from us by then!
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The travel grant amount will vary and depends on the applicants distance from birmingham. Applicants will be notified of the exact amount when awarded
Most students can expect between $200-250, which will be granted as a reimbursement after the conference is completed
This year we are planning to give out around 26 Travel awards!
Meals and Conference Details
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Your registration includes the Saturday Boxed Lunch, Saturday Dinner, and Sunday Breakfast.
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Yes, we will do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions. Please indicate your needs during registration or email us at southeasternmdphd@gmail.com with specific requests.
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The conference will be held at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Altec/Styslinger Genomic Medicine & Data Sciences building (701 19th St S, Birmingham, AL 35294-0007).
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Yes, parking information will be provided closer to the event. Street parking is available around the conference center but is limited.
Student Submitted
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If you’re already somewhat settled in your research area, you can start by making the most of the research sessions by scanning the abstract booklet ahead of time for key research topics of interest and making a list of all of the presentations that catch your eye! Then during the SEMSS poster sessions/oral talks, you can go up to everyone on your list to talk, network, and even find a potential collaboration opportunity.
But don’t forget to explore beyond your comfort zone, too, especially if you’re an earlier stage student like HS student or undergraduate. A fun rule of thumb could be for every 3 posters you find related your own work make an effort to visit one poster than seems to have nothing to do at all with your own research — you never know what you’ll learn by talking with someone in a completely different field from you!
If you’re interested in applying to UAB or to MD and/or PhD programs in general, also take this time to get to know current UAB students and older peers at SEMSS and ask what their experiences are like.
Lastly, SEMSS is an exciting event, but it can also be very busy. Remember to take care of yourself, too! You learn and network best when you’re energized, so don’t feel bad for taking breaks to rest and recharge 😌
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Even if you did not RECEIVE a travel award, there are many affordable hotel options in the area!
For the best balance of affordability and location (near the conference), we recommend the Hilton Birmingham Downtown at UAB. You can book this hotel at a discounted rate on our website under the nearby hotel tab!
This area of our website also has additional hotel options if you want to weigh options
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We are planning to be done around 1:00PM, and 1:30 at the latest!
The final event of the day is going to be the award ceremony/closing remarks, so even if you have to leave a little early to catch a flight, we can let you know if you won anything!
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Yes! We are planning to hold luggage for atendees in our physician scientist Development office.
However, we strongly recommend that you try to store luggage at your hotel if possible, as we will have limited space to store bags.
We will be sending out more details on this in an email prior to the conference, so keep an eye on your inbox if you’re interested in storing bags with us!
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Yes! As of now, both the program and abstract book are available on the home page of our website
