The UAB O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center hosted its annual Research Retreat on Friday, October 10, 2025 at Regions Field. Thank you for attending this important event showcasing the work of our members and trainees.
Event Registration
Registration opens July, 2025.
Key Dates
August 11 at 8 a.m. – Abstract submission deadline
October 1 at 5 p.m. – Registration deadline
October 6 at 1 p.m. – Electronic submission of slides for invited speakers
Scientific Abstracts
The abstract submission portal opens July, 2025.
Posters
Everyone submitting an abstract will have the opportunity to present their poster. The goal is to feature trainee and staff research, but all are welcome to submit and present. All non-faculty abstracts will be judged live at the retreat by multiple judges. Presenters are responsible for printing their own posters. Please arrive before 8 a.m. to check in and receive your location assignment. We are planning two sessions so that everyone has the chance to see posters.
The Research Retreat is held at Regions Field on the second floor of the Executive Suites, in the Diamonds Direct Ballroom and Pearl River Club Lounge. Access the Retreat via the Executive Entrance on the north side of the field. Parking is limited, and we encourage walking. There are reserved spots for handicapped attendees in the VIP lot on the south side of the ballpark. All others should park on the street or in any of the nearby decks.
These will be made available before the date of the retreat.
FAQ’s
How do I register?
Registration opens July, 2025.
Do I need a Blazer ID to register?
No.
Will there be an abstract book?
The abstract book will be available before the date of the retreat.
Is there parking?
Parking is limited. We encourage you to consider walking the short distance from UAB’s campus, carpooling, or ridesharing. There is paid street parking (via the ParkMobile app) and nearby paid decks. Handicapped parking will be available at the VIP lot on the South side of the ballpark.
Where do we go at Regions Field?
The Retreat can be accessed through the Executive Entrance on the north side of the ballpark. We will be in the Ballroom and Club Lounge on the second floor. There will be signs and ambassadors to guide you.
Any faculty, staff member, student, or trainee interested in learning more about the research going on at the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center may attend. Registration is not restricted to any rank or institution.
Where do I submit my abstract to be considered for a poster or talk?
The abstract submission portal opens July, 2025.
Who can submit abstracts? Are they for talks or posters?
Everyone who submits an abstract will be able present a poster and non-faculty will be in the competition for awards. Those who want to be considered for talks will indicate that when they submit their abstract.
Is there a cost to register or submit an abstract?
There is no cost to register, submit an abstract, or present a poster. This is a free event.
How are talks selected?
All abstracts submitted that indicate they are interested in a speaking slot will be reviewed by a minimum of three Retreat Committee members. The Committee will meet and discuss the submissions and select those that are meritorious and represent a broad array of O’Neal science. Talks will be limited to non-faculty. Talks are limited to those who have not previously been selected to be speakers in previous years.
Do I have to stay for the entire retreat?
The Research Retreat ends at 5 p.m., and we hope everyone can stay until then. Attendees may come and go from the retreat as needed.
What should I wear to this event?
Standard work attire is expected. All campus codes of conduct and regulations will be in place.
Will meals be provided?
A small continental breakfast will be available in the morning. A full boxed lunch will be available for all attendees. A vegetarian option will be available. Coffee and water will be available throughout the day. There will be beer and hors d’oeuvres at the reception.
What COVID regulations are in place?
We will follow all UAB guidelines, as applicable, at the time of the event.
Will every poster be considered for judging?
Yes, every poster will be judged live during the poster session(s).
What is the word limit on abstracts?
The abstract should contain a brief description of the research to be presented and is limited to 1,700 characters.
What are the awards available to win?
The final award categories will be determined before the retreat. Last year, there were two undergraduate, five graduate, two postdoc/fellow and two staff awards, along with one Soong and one Chaudhuri award. The number of submitted abstracts will be used to determine the number of awards and categories.
Can my lab submit more than one abstract?
There is no limit to the number of abstracts that can be submitted per lab. However, the first author on an abstract will be expected to present the poster, and therefore, there can be only one abstract per first author.
Who is on the Retreat Committee?
Gurkan Mollaoglu, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Microbiology and member of the Cancer Biology and Immunology Program
Courtney P. Williams, DrPH, Assistant Professor of General Internal Medicine & Population Science and member of the Cancer Control and Population Sciences Program
Nusrat Jahan, M.D., Assistant Professor of Hematology & Oncology and member of the Experimental Therapeutics Program
Zhangli Su, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Genetics and member of the Neuro-Oncology Program
Who are the poster judges?
Mentors and project PIs of those submitting posters will be asked to judge, along with other O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center members (faculty of UAB or affiliated institutions).
How many posters will be allowed to present?
All abstracts submitted will be presented as posters or selected for talks. Last year there were more than 170 posters! We plan to have 12 talks again this year, selected from the submitted abstracts.
Thank you to everyone who attended the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB‘s annual Research Retreat on Friday, October 18, 2024, at Regions Field. See photo highlights the from the event below.
