ISU GPSS

Congratulations to all the award winners of the 14th Annual GPSS Research Conference 2026! 🎉✨

A big shoutout to our outstanding winners across three categories:
Creative Exhibition
Oral Presentation
Poster Presentation

Your hard work, innovation, and dedication to research truly inspire our graduate community. Thank you for sharing your incredible work and helping shape the future of research, technology, and innovation!

Celebrating excellence across research, teaching, and leadership 🌟

Join us as we honor the recipients of the GPSS Research Excellence Award, Teaching Excellence Award, and Leadership Excellence Award 2026 at Iowa State University. Recognizing the outstanding graduate and professional students who inspire, innovate, and lead.

📅 February 24, 2026
⏰ 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 South Ballroom, Memorial Union

Dinner • Ceremony • Awards Presentation

14th Annual GPSS Research Conference 2026
✨ Shaping the Future: Graduate Leadership in Research, Technology, and Innovation

Join us for a full day of inspiring keynotes, research presentations, educational sessions, networking opportunities, and professional headshots at the Memorial Union!

-Keynote Speakers
-Educational Sessions
-Grad Resource Tables
-Headshots
-Bonus Social Hour & Award Ceremony

🎁Lucky Draw Announcement!
We will hold the Lucky Draw session after 3:00 PM at the end of the conference.
The prize includes 20 gift cards from the ISU Bookstore, each valued at $100!

February 20, 2026
Great Hall, Memorial Union
8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Don’t miss this exciting day of research, leadership, and celebration!

Graduate Resource Table

14th Annual GPSS Research Conference 2026
Shaping the Future: Graduate Leadership in Research, Technology, and Innovation

Great Hall, Memorial Union | Iowa State University
10:00–12:00 PM | February 20, 2026

The Graduate Resource Table connects students with essential campus services that support academic success, professional development, and overall well-being, it includes:
• Professional Development – Graduate College
• Preparing Future Faculty Program
• Center for Communication Excellence (CCE)
• Student Health & Wellness (SHOP)
• Ombuds Office

Spotlight: Environmental Health & Safety

Representatives will share lab safety resources, signage, fact sheets, and be available to answer lab-related safety questions.

CCE Pop-Up Consulting, receive one-on-one feedback on:
• CVs
• Research papers
• Abstracts
All graduate and professional students are welcome to attend and explore these valuable resources.

Educational Sessions

14th Annual GPSS Research Conference 2026
Shaping the Future: Graduate Leadership in Research, Technology, and Innovation

Sun Room, Memorial Union | Iowa State University
9:45–10:45 AM | February 20, 2026

Designing for Neurodiversity with Multimedia Learning

Jamie Niman, Instructional Designer II
This session explores inclusive course and presentation design grounded in the Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning (CTML). Participants will learn practical strategies to reduce cognitive load, guide learner attention, and enhance accessibility and engagement across presentations, Canvas pages, and multimedia instructional content, ensuring learning experiences that support diverse and neurodivergent learners.

How to Deliver an Effective Research Talk

Maryam Saneie Moghadam, Center for Communication Excellence
This session focuses on developing effective research talks and poster presentations using proven strategies for organization, visual design, audience engagement, and pacing. Participants will gain tools to present their research clearly and confidently, manage presentation nerves, and deliver impactful, well-structured talks.

More information: gpss.iastate.edu
Questions: [email protected]

We are excited to invite you to the 14th Annual GPSS Research Conference, bringing together graduate and professional students, faculty, and industry leaders for a full day of research, innovation, and leadership.

February 20, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Great Hall, Memorial Union
Theme: Shaping the Future: Graduate Leadership in Research, Technology, and Innovation

This year’s conference highlights how graduate leadership drives impactful research, technological advancement, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Keynote Speakers

Dr. Jason Keith - Senior Vice President and Provost, Iowa State University

Dr. Farnaz Abdollahi - Data Scientist, Intel Corporation | Chair, IEEE Women in Engineering (Chicago Section)

Benjamin Schmitt - Chief Information Security Officer, Mary Greeley Medical Center

Learn more about the conference, speakers, and schedule:

https://www.gpss.iastate.edu/program

Register here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdwWM-nh8jRnSTn00pSE89OeGnvcd6FihMx1bu9eM3x1azF3g/viewform?usp=header

We look forward to welcoming you to a day of research exchange, leadership discussions, and community building at Iowa State University.

GPSS Senator Spotlight ✨

Join us for the 14th Annual GPSS Research Conference at Iowa State University!

🗓️ Friday, Feb 20, 2026

⏰ 8:00 AM–3:00 PM

📍 Great Hall, Memorial Union

🎳 GPSS Fall Social 2025!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for an evening of Cybowl, billiards, laughter, and community! It was great seeing students come together, unwind, and connect outside the classroom.