Attendee's Account of the 13th United States National Combustion Symposium
In the world of academia, open-ended assignments can often be met with apprehension. However, for Agnes Robang, a student at an unspecified university, such an assignment proved to be a turning point in her academic journey.
Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Conference?
Agnes Robang's first research conference was the 13 U.S. National Combustion Meeting, held from March 19 to 22, 2023. The event marked not only her debut in the combustion community but also a significant milestone in her academic career.
The conference was more than just a platform for presenting research. It was a chance to network, learn, and grow. Agnes participated in the Women in Combustion Luncheon and the Career and Mentorship Mixer, providing her with valuable opportunities to connect with fellow researchers and industry professionals.
But the most rewarding aspect of the conference was the support she received from her lab. Prior to the event, her labmates provided feedback and comments on each other's presentations, ensuring everyone was well-prepared. During the conference, they watched each other's presentations and visited posters to offer support and encouragement.
Junior Paper (JP)
One of the highlights of the conference was Agnes' research poster, titled "Deep Learning Modeling of the Filtered Generalized Progress Variable Dissipation Rate in Turbulent Premixed Combustion". The poster showcased the results of her hard work, supported by her adviser Prof. Michael Mueller, labmates, and funding from several sources including MAE, CST, OUR, and ACEE.
Preparing and presenting a research poster at an academic combustion conference requires careful planning and execution. Here are some best practices to consider:
Poster Preparation
- Use the size and orientation specified by the conference.
- Organize content logically with sections such as Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, and Conclusions.
- Include high-quality visuals to illustrate combustion phenomena, experimental setups, or simulation results.
- Use large, readable fonts for titles and body text.
- Present key quantitative data such as rate measurements, flame temperatures, stability metrics, or emission concentrations.
- Include only the most relevant citations to support key points.
- Provide a clear list of authors with affiliations and a contact email or QR code.
Presentation at the Conference
- Prepare a 3-5 minute "elevator pitch" to explain your work.
- Stand by your poster during the session, make eye contact, and invite questions.
- Use simple explanations tailored to diverse audiences.
- Have handouts or digital summaries available for interested attendees.
- Practice answering questions on experimental methods, combustion stability, ignition phenomena, or modeling assumptions.
Technical and Practical Tips
- Ensure your poster print is high resolution and color-accurate.
- Follow any specific guidelines from the conference organizers.
Attending the combustion conference gave Agnes a renewed sense of motivation and energy to continue her research. She found the combustion community to be a caring, supportive community that wants to see all of its members succeed. The conference experience underscored the value of open-ended assignments, as they provide unexpected opportunities for growth and learning.
Thanking Your Mentors: Tips on Writing Your Research Paper Acknowledgements
In her research paper, Agnes took the opportunity to express her gratitude to her mentors. Here are some tips for writing acknowledgements in a research paper:
- Be specific about the contributions of each person or group.
- Write in a personal and heartfelt tone.
- Mention the impact of their support on your research and personal growth.
- Avoid overly formal language.
- Thank everyone who has contributed to your work, not just those directly involved in the research.
By following these tips, Agnes was able to express her appreciation to her mentors in a meaningful way, ensuring they felt valued for their contributions to her success.
[1] Guidelines for preparing and presenting posters at academic conferences. (n.d.). Retrieved from [URL] [2] ISSW35 Conference Poster Guidelines. (2022). Retrieved from [URL] [3] Tips for presenting posters at conferences. (n.d.). Retrieved from [URL] [4] How to write acknowledgements in a research paper. (n.d.). Retrieved from [URL] [5] Conference-specific guidelines for poster preparation and presentation. (n.d.). Retrieved from [URL]
- Agnes Robang dedicated a section of her research paper to acknowledge the contributions of her mentors, expressing appreciation in a personal and heartfelt tone.
- In addition to her work in the field of combustion, Agnes also demonstrated an interest in health-and-wellness, education-and-self-development, and career-development, attending various workshops and events to broaden her horizons.
- To enhance her understanding of science beyond combustion, Agnes also contributed to a junior paper on a topic unrelated to her major, showcasing her versatility as a student in the broader realm of academic research.
