Symposium 2026
1890 Center of Excellence for Nutrition, Health, Wellness and Quality of Life Symposium
Connecting Cultural Practices and Modern Research for Improved Nutritional Health and Wellness
Tuesday, March 31, 2026 | 1:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Hyatt Regency New Orleans
Call for Student Poster Abstracts
We invite the submission of abstracts for poster presentations. Specifically, we welcome Research, Teaching and Extension abstracts that align with the focus of this year’s symposium, themed “Connecting Cultural Practices and Modern Research for Improved Nutritional Health and Wellness”. The symposium will highlight both traditional and innovative strategies to improve our health and well- being. Abstract submissions are encouraged from all disciplines including the agriculture, business, education, humanities, health and social sciences. All accepted abstracts will be presented as posters. Prizes will be awarded to First ($500), second ($300) and third ($200) place winners in both the graduate and undergraduate categories.
Themes
Potential abstract themes include but are not limited to the following:
- Traditional Diets and Nutritional Science
- Food Heritage and Sustainability
- Culinary Practices and Health
- The Role of Translational Research in Diet-Related Diseases
- Community Engagement and its Impact on Diet-Related Diseases
- Behavioral and Social Dimensions
- Barriers, Opportunities, and Challenges for Addressing Diet Related Health Issues
- Food Access: Food Deserts and Food Insecurity
Abstract submission guildines overview
Students who receive an award at the ARD Symposium will be ineligible to receive an award at the Center of Excellence Symposium.
Abstracts will be accepted via electronic submission only. Abstracts that do not conform to official guidelines will NOT be accepted.
REGISTRATION: All presenting authors are required to register/pre-register for the Center of Excellence Symposium at no cost.
DEADLINE: All abstracts must be submitted electronically no later than 11:59 PM CST on January 23, 2026. No corrections will be allowed.
PRESENTATION FORMAT: Selected abstracts will be presented during the Center of Excellence Student’s Poster Session on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, between 1:30pm and 5:00pm CST.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT: All abstract submitters will receive notification of receipt from the Abstract Review Committee within 48 hours of submission. Acceptance notifications will be sent via email no later than January 31, 2026.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: Please submit abstracts utilizing the abstract template to renita_marshall@suagcenter.com
Your abstract must be no more than 200 words (250 including title and acknowledgements) and be formatted as follows:
Abstract format
All abstracts should be organized using the following format: TITLE (uppercase) must be a maximum of 50 characters, spaces and punctuation included. AUTHORS (mixed cases) who have significantly contributed to the work should be listed. The recommended limit is 10 authors.
- The presenting author must be a student and listed first (uppercase letters). • For each author, include the first and second initials with the last name. Separate authors with a semicolon. • Example: FC JONES; AF Hill; KG Witherspoon AFFILIATIONS (capitalized). Community partners are encouraged.
- List institution(s) where work was performed. Include author initials after the corresponding affiliation. Example: Southern University (FCJ); New Way Out Ministries (AFH, KGW)
- BACKGROUND and Objectives (header in uppercase) Explain the importance of the research or activity to include objectives, goals, and purpose.
- METHODS (header in uppercase) Briefly explain the procedure and strategy used to gather the information presented.
- RESULTS (header in uppercase) What did you find when you performed the analysis of the information presented? Tables and charts are NOT allowed in your submission.
- DISCUSSION and CONCLUSIONS (header in uppercase) How does the result address the challenge or issue? How do the reported findings contribute to the knowledge in the respective field?
- Authors are encouraged to acknowledge grant support for work where applicable.
