The 2023 Earle P. Charlton Poster Competition

Research competition, celebrating the dedication and excellence of Tufts University's graduate students
Two students at the 2023 Charlton Poster Competition in MED 114, discussing a research poster

Tufts University hosted the 2023 Earle P. Charlton Poster Competition on October 23, 2023, from 2 to 4 pm at the Medical Education Building on the Boston Campus. This event showcased an impressive array of research work and served as a platform for students from diverse disciplines to exchange ideas with the Tufts scientific community, all the while fine-tuning their presentation skills.

Two students at the 2023 Charlton Poster Competition in MED 114, discussing a research poster

This year, the competition was open to all Medical School, Dental School, GSBS, and Veterinary School students pursuing MS, MPH, DPT, MD, PhD, DMD, and DVM degrees. To qualify, participants were required to present research that was exclusively their own and conducted during their graduate enrollment at Tufts University. The competition was divided into three categories: GSBS Junior, GSBS Senior, and Clinical. The GSBS Junior category is for GSBS PhD students in years 1-3, MD/PhD students in GSBS years 1-2, and GSBS MS students. The GSBS Senior category is for GSBS PhD students in years 4 and above, MD/PhD students in GSBS years 3 and above, and GSBS CTS PhD students. The Clinical category is for all MD, DMD, DVM, and graduate students, as well as MD/PhD students in TUSM years 1-2.

Poster session at the 2023 Charlton Poster Competition

Entrants were asked to submit their 300-word abstracts and entry forms by the deadline of Sunday, October 1. These abstracts were evaluated based on rigorous criteria, which included the justification of research objectives, the clarity of research methods, readiness of results for presentation, and the level of engagement in the research. Subsequently, the chosen participants presented their research via posters to a panel of judges.

Students and faculty looking at research posters at the 2023 Charlton Poster Competition

The judging criteria for the Charlton Poster Competition were comprehensive, taking into account research design and data analysis, the significance of the work, the degree of involvement in the project, and the quality of poster presentation. The competition was fierce, with 8 GSBS Juniors, 21 GSBS Seniors, and 8 Clinical presenters vying for the top honors. A total of 21 awards were conferred across the categories, reflecting the meticulous grading that ensured precision in determining the winners.

2023 Charlton Award Winners