Undergraduate and Graduate Student Research Forum

The 12th Annual National Conference on Health Disparities will take place June 19-22, 2019, with the theme of “Reducing Health Disparities Through Sustaining and Strengthening Healthy Communities.” The mission of the conference is to focus on policies, research interventions, and programs that address prevention, social determinants and personal responsibility in reducing health disparities and promoting health equity.

The NCHD Student Research Forum will take place during the conference on June 19, 2019. The theme of the Student Research Forum is “Training the Next Generation of Leaders.” The Conference invites student submissions for a poster session. The session will be included in the Student Research Forum, which will also include oral presentations by students a keynote address, and roundtable discussions.

Preferred abstracts will relate to the full range of health disparities and environmental health in the basic sciences, clinical sciences, population/behavioral/social sciences and environmental sciences. Students are strongly encouraged to focus on one or more of the following areas: cancer,cardiovascular disease, diabetes, environmental health, human trafficking/human enslavement and infectious diseases. Additionally, research focusing on gun violence as a public health issue in the United States, police/community relations, climate change/catastrophic weather events and the opioid epidemic will be especially welcomed.

Basic Sciences

Preferred abstract submissions will report on research related to biological factors that contribute to health disparities.

Clinical Sciences

Preferred abstract submissions will reflect abroad range of clinical science research on health disparities and environmental health.

Population Sciences/Behavioral Sciences/Social Sciences

Preferred abstract submissions will address the reduction of health disparities through the scientific study of the epidemiologic, translational, behavioral, social, political and economic contexts of disparities.

Environmental Sciences

Preferred abstract submissions will address environmental exposures and triggers, e.g., air pollution and respiratory health, proximity to hazardous waste and other conditions that affect health and communities.


The Call for Abstracts is open to all undergraduate, graduate and professional students. Students from minority serving institutions such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUPs) are strongly encouraged to apply.

No more than 100 abstracts will be selected for poster presentation. Tiered travel awards to support hotel and conference registration fees will be available on a limited basis.

National training webinars will take place prior to the conference. Information regarding the webinars is forthcoming.

Outstanding abstracts will be chosen for oral presentation and each oral presenter will receive a cash award. Cash prizes will also be awarded to the top-ranked student poster presentations.

Please review the abstract submission guidelines prior to beginning the submission process.

Submit your Abstract Here

Abstracts must have a maximum of 300 words.

Key dates related to the abstract submission process:

  • The deadline for abstract submissions is 11:59PM Pacific Standard Time on Friday, February 15, 2019.
  • Abstracts will be evaluated by a Review Committee in February 2019.
  • Notification of abstract acceptance and selection for travel award will be sent via email by Friday, March 15, 2019.

Contact Us

For any abstract-related questions and/or comments, email Student Research Forum Chair Dr. Marvella Ford at .

For technical issues related to abstract submission, email Ms. Monique Hill at .