Annual Beckman Symposium

The Beckman Symposium is an annual event where Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation program awardees present their newest research findings as poster or oral presentations. Attendees are given opportunities to network, learn about a broad range of research topics from their peers, and discuss career tips with invited experts from academia, industry, and medicine.

The agenda features content that showcases our Program Awardees along with a research poster hall and networking opportunities.

To all attendees: The Beckman Symposium was developed to promote sharing of scientific knowledge and to foster collaboration. The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for Symposium guests. All participants are expected to abide by the Code of Conduct when spending time with other Foundation awardees, colleagues in your field, distinguished scientists from across the United States, and other guests of the Foundation (both online and in-person). The guidelines are intended to ensure that all participants have a pleasant and productive event, free from disruptions.

We hope you enjoy the 2025 Beckman Symposium!

The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all participants, guests, and Foundation staff at our offices and sponsored events, both in-person and virtual. All participants, including but not limited to, attendees, speakers, volunteers, exhibitors, Foundation staff, service providers, and others are expected to abide by the Code of Conduct. As a participant at the Foundation’s event(s), you will be spending time with other Foundation awardees, colleagues in your field, distinguished scientists from across the United States, and other guests of the Foundation. The guidelines are intended to ensure that all participants have a pleasant and productive event, free from disruptions.

• By registering and attending an Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation sponsored event, you acknowledge receipt of, and agreement to comply with, this Code of Conduct. View the combined Code of Conduct and Liability Waiver here.

The Foundation will contact poster presenters via email with a request for information. Prior to each symposium event, poster presenters will be assigned a number and a poster program with abstracts and titles will be made available. Please check back periodically for updates.

What guidelines should I follow for preparing my Research Poster?

Prepare a 4’x4’ square (48 inches x 48 inches) research poster, printed in advance of the event either on paper or fabric. All posters should include the presenter’s name, research title, institution and the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation logo in vertical orientation or horizontal orientation.

How do Poster Presentations work?

The poster presenter will set up their poster upon arrival at Symposium. Push pins will be available in the poster hall, along with the printed list of number assignments which indicate the easel location for each poster. Presenters should be present in the hall, near their poster, during their assigned date and time to make their presentations. At the conclusion of the poster session, all presenters must remove their posters. Any posters remaining will undergo disposal; the Foundation does not hold nor ship posters.

We look forward to your poster presentation at the 2025 Beckman Symposium!

As part of our upcoming Symposium, we ask that awardees prepare a 2-3 minute elevator pitch that clearly explains your work in a way that non-scientists can understand. There will not be a formal session to present these pitches, but rather, it is a wonderful opportunity for you to practice communicating your research to a broader audience, which is essential for both professional growth and stakeholder engagement.

Here are some key things to consider as you prepare:

1. No Jargon or Acronyms: Remember, we’ll have a diverse group of attendees and stakeholders in attendance who may not have a scientific background, and we represent a diverse group with varying levels of
   expertise. For this reason, it’s critical that your pitch is free from specialized terminology. Aim for a level that a 7th or 8th grader could easily grasp.
2. Keep It Accessible: Focus on what your work is, why it matters, and the applications. If possible, share why you got interested in this area and what excites you about it. This will help personalize your message and engage your audience.
3. Why It’s Important: Your pitch should answer the "so what?"—why does your research matter in the grand scheme of things, and what potential impact could it have for the community, business, or society?

The deadline to submit slideshow presentations for either symposium event location is July 21, 2025. Slideshow presentation PPT and PDF files should be emailed to [email protected].

Following are slideshow presentation preparation instructions for all speakers/sessions. Scroll to locate your session and read the guidance on preparing for your presentation. If you would like to include the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation logo in your presentation, the vertical orientation can be accessed here and the horizontal orientation here.

Keynote Presentation Speaker (Invited Speaker):

• Be prepared to give a 45-minute technical presentation on your research or Foundation-specified topic and, if applicable, share about how your Beckman Foundation grant award influenced your research and/or career and advice for those just starting on their journey.
• Slides are optional but encouraged.
• If using slides, your PowerPoint presentation and a PDF copy must be emailed to [email protected] no later than July 21 (firm).
  • No Prezi or other presentation formats will be permitted.
  • No edits can be made after the presentation is submitted.
  • Presentations will be provided to the venue’s AV team, no personal laptops.

Plenary Sessions Speakers (Bio/Chem Talks from Selected BYIs, AOB Postdocs, and BSPs):

• Be prepared to give a 10-minute (max.) presentation of your research; with up to 3 minutes of Q+A to follow.
• Structure your talk for a general audience and avoid jargon and use of acronyms without explanation.
• Your PowerPoint presentation and a PDF copy must be emailed to [email protected] no later than July 21 (firm).
  • All work on the slides must be original to the awardee and cannot be generated by a professional. Images must be properly attributed.
  • No Prezi or other presentation formats will be permitted.
  • No edits can be made after the presentation is submitted. Presentations will be provided to the venue’s AV team, no personal laptops.
  • Presentation order, date, and session location will be announced ahead of the event.

Beckman Briefings Speakers:

• Be prepared to give a 3-minute presentation including your name, institution, explanation of your research and findings, and its significance.
• This speech will be delivered to an audience of your fellow postdocs and should be geared to be easily understood by everyone, regardless of their specific science background. Avoid using jargon or acronyms.
• Prepare your PowerPoint presentation with a maximum of three slides, not including a title slide. The PowerPoint and a PDF copy of the presentation must be emailed to [email protected] by July 21 (firm).
  • All work on the slides must be original to the awardee and cannot be generated by a professional. Images must be properly attributed.
  • No Prezi or other presentation formats will be permitted.
  • No edits can be made after the presentation is submitted.
  • Presentations will be provided to the venue’s AV team, no personal laptops.
  • The order of presentations will be alphabetical, based on last name.

Career Trajectory Panelists (Invited Speakers from Academia, Industry, and Medicine):

• Be prepared to give a 15-minute presentation referencing your own academic and professional journeys followed by a joint 30-minute Q+A panel discussion.
• Slides are optional but encouraged.
• Presentation points may include details about your academic matriculation, academic/professional background, and any connection to the Foundation, as well as helpful tips and insight you discovered along the way.
• The Career Trajectory Panel will be offered to our Beckman Scholars (undergraduate researchers).
• If using slides, your PowerPoint presentation and a PDF copy must be emailed to [email protected] no later than July 21 (firm).
  • No Prezi or other presentation formats will be permitted.
  • No edits can be made after the presentation is submitted.
  • Presentations will be provided to the venue’s AV team, no personal laptops.

Panel Discussions (Invited Speakers):

• Be prepared to give a 15-minute presentation followed by a joint 30-minute Q+A panel discussion.
• Slides are optional but encouraged.
• Presentation points may include details about your academic/professional background, and helpful tips and insight you discovered along the way.
• If using slides, your PowerPoint presentation and a PDF copy must be emailed to [email protected] no later than July 21 (firm).
  • No Prezi or other presentation formats will be permitted.
  • No edits can be made after the presentation is submitted.
  • Presentations will be provided to the venue’s AV team, no personal laptops.

The 2025 Beckman Symposium Agenda and Program will be available one week before the event.

General Notes:

• Plan your packing list with business casual attire in mind.
• Upon arrival, head over to the Registration Booth to check-in for the event and collect your nametag. A Hospitality Suite is available at the hotel if your arrival precedes the availability of your room.
• If applicable, set up your research poster upon arrival, after checking in at the Registration Booth.

We look forward to seeing you at the 2025 Beckman Symposium!

Q: When does the 2025 Beckman Symposium officially start? Is there a virtual component?

A: The Irvine symposium program begins the afternoon of July 31 and runs through the late afternoon of August 2. This year’s events are in-person and do not include virtual components.

Q: How can I get started early with registration and other details?

A: Please wait to receive the registration invite and instructions via email. Early registration and travel booking is not available and each group will be assigned to a specific registration window.

Q: How do I know if I'm part of Group 1 or Group 2 for registration and posters?

A: The Symposium Coordinator(s) will send an instructional email that identifies the group you are part of; please wait for this email. If you have been selected as an awardee during calendar year 2025, reporting info from your institution may be due in mid- to late-May based on our deadlines, which would place you into Group 2. There is no dis/advantage to being in either group; all invited guests will be able to register.

Q: Who can I contact to have an instruction email re-sent?

A: Email the Symposium Coordinator(s) at [email protected] to make this request.

Q: Can I see an agenda or event program?

A: Yes! We'll combine both into a single document and make it available in the Event Agenda and Speaker Program accordion tab above, about one week ahead of each symposium event.

Q: If I have trouble navigating the space, can I get help?

A: Yes! Please come to the Registration area for help. This is the same area where you'll initially check-in for the event. A member of our staff can assist you in finding the meeting space(s). There will also be hotel map signage displayed on-site during each event.

Q: I'm giving a presentation; will there be someone to help with my slides or questions?

A: Yes! A member of our staff will be with you in the meeting space ahead of your presentation session. This is when an AV test will be done to make sure your slides are working as intended. Also, a moderator will introduce your presentation and assist with any Q+A.

Q: Can I preview a list of posters before entering the poster hall?

A: Yes! The Poster Program will be available in the Poster Presentations accordion tab (above) about one week prior to each symposium event.

Q: What can I expect as a participant in this event?

A: Expect a combination of oral and poster presentations, topic- and program-specific breakout sessions, and some networking opportunities – along with games, food, and other fun.