You’ve aced the abstract. You’ve crunched the numbers. But how do you make a research poster stand out in a virtual format?
While the research is about advancing medical science, the presentation aspect is far more artful. An expert on scholarly presentations offered four tips to ensure your digital poster and presentation captivate an audience.
For medical students looking to gain insight on the research process and the work their peers are doing, the virtually-held 2025 AMA Research Challenge offers medical students, residents, fellows and international medical graduates the opportunity to showcase their scholarly pursuits in front of some of the brightest minds in medicine. For those considering participating in the largest national, multispecialty research event for medical students and residents—with a $10,000 grand prize presented by Laurel Road—the abstract submission deadline is July 16.
Let visuals speak for themselves
A hospitalist from New York, Charles Lopresto, DO, has extensive experience in research dating back to his days as a medical student.
In a module for the AMA Medical Student Research Series—"Designing and Delivering Impactful Virtual Research Posters”—Dr. Lopresto offers insight on creating a standout virtual research presentation. A members-only benefit, the AMA Medical Student Research series offers key lessons through six on-demand learning modules.
When focusing on the virtual format, Dr. Lopresto said that posters often will appear alongside hundreds of others in a virtual gallery, and most people will only see a thumbnail first. If your design is cluttered or text-heavy, viewers are more likely to pass it by. Instead, lean into clean visuals and bold data presentation that make your message easy to grasp at a glance.
“Your digital poster should focus less on text and more on attractive presentation of figures and data, he said.
“Keep figures and data to a reasonable number for a poster, usually no more than three to four.”
Dr. Lopresto advised presenters to use high-resolution charts, graphs, or illustrations to convey your results, and place your most important visual elements where they’re most likely to be seen—front and center.
Dive deeper:
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- 4 tips for medical students to get their start as researchers.
Stick to your key points
A virtual poster presentation isn’t the place for a deep dive into methodology. Generally, a presenter will make a two-minute recorded presentation. In that limited window, your aims should be to clearly explain your research question, your main findings and their impact.
“Focus on the main points and keep your presentation simple. Do not go into too many details regarding your methods or data.”
Dr. Lopresto advised presenters to let your voice-over fill in the most relevant details while your slide acts as a visual companion. Use simple transitions, avoid reading off your slide and practice until your delivery is smooth and natural.
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Design for flow, not just facts
A poster shouldn’t just be a data dump—it should tell a story. Organize your sections so they build on each other and walk your audience from background to conclusion. Avoid crowding your slide with too much content; white space and a clear visual hierarchy help make your message easier to absorb.
“Layout your poster in an organized, but natural way... reading from left to right and top to bottom,” Dr. Lopresto said.
Make sure your layout supports the viewer’s journey through your research story. Keep it simple, focused, and easy to navigate so that your audience can follow along as you speak.
Dive deeper:
- 5 reasons to showcase your work in the AMA Research Challenge
- How to get published in medical school and boost your CV
- To publish research in medical school, avoid these 4 mistakes
- Medical student research FAQ: Get started, showcase your work
Make your video professional
No one is expecting award winning cinematography in your video presentation, but you should consider your surroundings and attire, Dr. Lopresto said.
“Keep your camera at eye level or slightly above,” he said. “Lighting and background are key. Shoot outside facing the sun if you can. If you need to record inside, find a bright room with lots of natural light.”
Do not record in front of clutter or backlit windows and check your lens for dust or smudges before you start. When it comes to wardrobe, it’s best to stick to neutral colors and avoid distracting patterns.
From there, it’s about trying to make a connection with your viewer. And how do you do that?
“Make eye contact, smile and keep your audience engaged,” Dr. Lopresto said.
