We invite submissions for the Inaugural Stony Brook Women’s Health Research Conference, a multidisciplinary gathering that advances science, practice, and policy to improve the health and well-being of women across the lifespan. We welcome original research, innovations in care or education, art, budding research studies, and community-based initiatives that address disease and health conditions unique to, prevalent, or differently experienced among women.
Topics of Interest Include, but Are Not Limited To:
- Sex-related biological mechanisms and their role in disease development, progression, and treatment response
- Gender-related societal mechanisms impacting health behaviors, care access, and health equity
- Reproductive and gynecologic health, including menstruation, contraception, menopause, endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and pre-invasive conditions and malignancies
- Maternal health, including fertility, prenatal care, perinatal outcomes, postpartum recovery, and lactation
- Psychiatric and neurological health issues disproportionately affecting women, including depression, and anxiety, and Alzheimer's disease
- Impact of sex and gender on the presentation, diagnosis, and outcomes of chronic, infectious, autoimmune, metabolic, and neurodegenerative diseases
- Clinical, translational, social science, policy, and STEM research advances relevant to women’s health
- Healthcare delivery, patient engagement, community-based participatory research, innovations addressing women’s lived experiences
We Encourage Submissions From:
- Stony Brook faculty, staff, students or trainees
- Clinical and translational researchers
- Basic and biomedical scientists
- Public health and social scientists
- Health equity scholars and community-based organizations
- Early-career investigators, students, and trainees
Submissions may include completed studies, policy-driven projects, works-in-progress, or conceptual art with clear relevance to women's health.
Abstract and art submission guidelines
Important Dates
Call released: 9.1.2025
Abstract Submission Deadline: 12.15.2025
Notification of Acceptance: 2.15.2025
Presenter Registration Deadline: 3.1.2025
Submission types
Three types of submissions will be accepted: 1) Scientific Abstracts (oral presentations or posters), 2) Upcoming and New (budding research studies), and 3) art installations. See below details for each.
All submissions must be submitted via the submission portal by 12.15.2025.
Eligibility and Policies
Submitting authors and artists may submit up to two abstracts.
At least one author must register and be present at the conference.
We encourage submissions from early-career investigators, students, and community partners.
Works-in-progress will only be accepted as New and Upcoming or Poster
1) Scientific Abstract Submission Requirements
Title: Clear and concise, no more than 20 words
Authors & Affiliations: List all authors with institutional affiliations
Abstract Length: Maximum 2,000 characters including spaces (excluding title and authors)
Format: Use structured headings (see below).
Abstract Structure
Background: Rationale and context
Objective(s): Clear research aims or hypotheses
Methods: Design, setting, population/sample, analytic approach
Results: Key findings; indicate if results are preliminary
Conclusion: Summary of significance, implications for women’s health
*Alternate Formats Accepted
We welcome submissions that do not follow traditional empirical formats, including:
Some types of community-based or participatory research
Health equity or policy analyses
Innovation in education, clinical care, or advocacy
Scientific Committee Review Criteria
Each abstract will be peer-reviewed by two independent reviewers based on scientific merit, innovation and originality, relevance to Women’s health and conference themes, impact and implication, and clarity of abstract.
Top-ranked abstracts will be considered for oral presentation. All accepted abstracts will be included in the conference program and proceedings.
2) Call for Art Submission Requirements
Title: Clear, evocative, and no more than 15 words.
Artist & Affiliation: List the artist’s name and affiliation
Format: Submissions should include:
- A high-resolution image of the artwork (JPEG or PNG, minimum 300 dpi).
- An accompanying description (maximum 1,500 characters) explaining the inspiration, concept, or story behind the piece.
- Medium and dimensions of the artwork.
Artwork Themes
Submissions should reflect themes related to women’s health, healing, resilience, identity, community, or equity. Art may include, but is not limited to:
- Paintings, drawings, or mixed media
- Photography or digital art
- Small sculpture
Alternate Formats Accepted
We welcome submissions that explore nontraditional mediums or narrative-driven visual art, including:
- Graphic storytelling
- Patient or healthcare provider perspectives
- Collaborative or community-based art projects
Art Review Criteria
Each submission will be reviewed by two reviewers based on creativity and originality, relevance to women’s health and conference themes, emotional or narrative impact, clarity of the accompanying description
Selected artworks will be displayed in the conference’s poster session and featured in the online program.
3) Call for “Upcoming and New” Submission Requirements
We invite submissions for the “Upcoming and New” oral presentation session, for researchers, clinicians, educators, and innovators to present new and emerging project ideas in women’s health research. This session is designed to foster collaboration, spark dialogue, and connect researchers with potential partners to advance innovative initiatives.
Title: Concise and engaging, no more than 20 words.
Authors & affiliations: List all contributing individuals with institutional affiliations.
Abstract length: Maximum 2,000 characters including spaces (excluding title and authors).
Format: use structured heading below
Abstract Structure
- Background and rationale: Briefly describe the problem or gap the project aims to address.
- Proposed innovation or research: Outline the new idea, concept, or approach, emphasizing what makes it unique or high-impact.
- Next steps and needs: Describe early plans for implementation and specify the types of expertise or collaborators being sought (e.g., clinical partners, data analysts, community organizations).
- Potential Impact: Highlight anticipated outcomes or contributions to women’s health.
Review Criteria
Submissions will be reviewed by the conference’s Scientific Committee based on originality and creativity of the project idea, relevance to women’s health and conference themes, feasibility and potential for impact, clarity of collaboration needs.