The College of Engineering’s Graduate Student Advisory Board (GeSAB) is hosting the 7th annual Graduate Student Symposium on Friday, February 20, 2026 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. in the Willa Cather Dining Complex (Red Cloud Suite & Pioneers Rooms), during Engineer's Week (E-Week) 2026.
Engineering graduate students will present session talks, compete in a 3-in-5 pitch competition, and conduct a research poster fair. All formats emphasize clear communication and accessibility to a interested academic audience. This is an excellent opportunity for students to practice simplifying technical content, building confidence, and receiving constructive feedback—no matter the engineering field or level of study.
View event schedule below. Registration for the event will open in January 2026. Registrants for the symposium will receive a meal ticket at check-in for the Willa Cather Dining Hall.
Abstract submissions to participate in the 2026 Graduate Student Symposium will be active in Fall 2025. Submissions are due Friday, December 12 at 11:59 pm.
Executive Team
Zina Ebrahim
Ph.D., Construction Engineering & Management
Abdelrahman Awawdeh
Ph.D., Construction Engineering & Management
Matthew Boeding
Ph.D., Computer Engineering
Members
Euclides Brandao Maluf
Ph.D., Engineering Education Research
Abrham Osinuga
Ph.D., Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
Kal Sahu
Ph.D., Computer Science
Benjamin Zwiener
M.S., Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics
Abstract Submissions will be available in Fall 2025
Deadline: Friday, December 12, 2025 at 11:59 PM
We’re accepting abstracts for:
- Session Talks (15-minute research presentations)
- 3-in-5 Pitch Competition (3 slides, 5 minutes, $500 prize)
- Poster Session (visually showcase your work, $500 prize)
Presentations can include research ideas, proposals, reviews, or results—work at any stage is welcome!
Contact
Questions? Please contact Dr. Kayla Person (Director of Engineering Graduate Programs) at kperson4@unl.edu, or Cameron Adams (Administrative Associate) at cadams@unl.edu
Session Talks
These 15-minute presentation (10 minutes speaking + 5 minutes Q&A) provide an opportunity to present research at any stage of development—from early ideas and literature reviews to formal proposals and completed results. This format is ideal for students who want to practice public speaking, receive feedback, or share progress in a more detailed way.
Examples of session topics include:
Overview of a research idea or question
Review of a relevant topic or literature
Thesis or dissertation proposal
Preliminary or final research findings
3-in-5 Pitch Competition
This fast-paced competition challenges students to clearly explain the significance of their research idea or project in just five minutes. It's a great opportunity to hone your "elevator pitch" and improve your ability to engage diverse audiences. Students will have 3 slides and 5 minutes to wow a panel of judges from across engineering disciplines. Participation is limited.
Ideal for:
Early-stage researchers developing a concept
Students preparing for job interviews or funding proposals
Anyone wanting to practice communicating the “why” of their research
Grand Prize: $500
2026 Pitch RubricResearch Poster Session
The poster session allows participants to present their work in a visual format. Students can showcase original research, course-based projects, or posters that have previously been presented at regional or national conferences. All participants are encouraged to also present their posters at UNL Research Days in April. Judges will be drawn from across all engineering disciplines. All formats emphasize clear communication and accessibility to a diverse academic audience.
Great for:
Visual communicators
Sharing data, figures, and conceptual frameworks
Networking and one-on-one discussions
Grand Prize: $500
2026 Poster RubricTime | Room | |
|---|---|---|
Sessions | 9:00am - 11:00am | Red Cloud B / Pioneers A & B |
Break | 11:00am - 11:15am | |
Welcome | 11:15am - 11:30am | Red Cloud A |
Keynote #1 | 11:30 - 12:30pm | Red Cloud A |
Lunch | 12:30pm - 1:30pm | Willa Cather Dining Hall |
Keynote #2 | 1:30pm - 2:30pm | Red Cloud A |
Break | 2:30pm - 2:45pm | |
3-in-5 Pitch Competition | 2:45pm - 4:00pm | Pioneers A & B |
Poster Session | 3:30pm - 5:00pm | Red Cloud A & B |