Nikhitha Gangavarapu presents during the student 10-minute presentation competition at Entomology 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo courtesy of Nikhitha Gangavarapu)

By Kushal Naharki, Nikhitha Gangavarapu, and Gourav Beniwal

Editor’s Note: This post is part of a series contributed by the ESA Student Affairs Committee. See other posts by and for entomology students here at Entomology Today.

Entomology 2026 will take place November 8–11 in Columbus, Ohio. As the bug world continues to expand and evolve, so does the number of students entering entomology. With growing interest in entomological research and an increasing number of students eager to present their work, important changes have been implemented for student presentations at Entomology 2026, including a first-come, first-priority system for oral presentation slots.

A Shift to First-Come, First-Priority

One of the most significant updates for 2026 is the introduction of a capacity limit for the Student 10-Minute Presentation Competition. The conference can accommodate up to 616 oral competition presentations. As a result, submissions for oral competition slots will be considered on a first-come, first-priority basis. The timestamp will be recorded after the submitter clicks the “Submit” button. Submissions for the Student 10-Minute Oral Presentation Competition are expected to exceed the available slots, so participation may not be assured for all students who select this option. Once all available slots are filled, additional students who selected this option will be reassigned to their second-choice format. Submissions for the Student Poster Display Competition are not limited, thus allowing all students who choose this option to participate.

Choosing the Right Submission Strategy

Students submitting abstracts must select from several presentation formats, each offering different opportunities. Students are required to select both a first-choice and a second-choice presentation format, and the two choices must be different. This requirement ensures flexibility in scheduling and placement.

Student 10-minute presentation competition. This format features short oral presentations judged within sessions of 10 to 12 participants. This format is ideal for students who want to practice delivering a focused, polished scientific talk within a set time frame. Stepping up to a podium to present research can feel intimidating, but tips to succeed include telling a clear story, using engaging visuals, connecting with the audience, and practicing in advance. Winners receive meaningful recognition: First place earns free ESA membership for the upcoming year, a $75 gift card, and a certificate, while second place receives free ESA membership and a certificate. For tips on excelling in oral presentations, see the 2024 Entomology Today article “Mastering the Mic: A Guide to Scientific Presentation Success” by Jacqueline Maille, Ph.D.

Student poster display competition. A poster presentation involves sharing research visually in a printed poster of a specified size. It is an effective way to summarize key research points and highlight important findings in a clear and organized format. Poster presentations are valuable because they allow one-on-one interaction between the presenter and the audience, help build confidence, and provide opportunities to compete with other posters within their categories. For a full guide, see the 2024 Entomology Today article “Poster Power: How to Create an Engaging and Effective Research Poster” by Sabita Ranabhat, Ph.D.

Non-competition. Students can instead present oral or poster presentations at Entomology 2026 without participating in competitions. The non-competition format is ideal for students who prefer not to compete, offering a more relaxed setting to share their work, gain presentation experience, and receive feedback without formal scoring. These formats are particularly well-suited for students sharing preliminary data, interdisciplinary work, or research that falls outside typical competition session themes. Sharing field- and lab-based research with other researchers and experts creates opportunities to exchange ideas, receive feedback, and practice critical thinking.

Speaking at a symposium. A symposium is a themed session composed of multiple talks that address a shared research question, taxonomic group, method, or applied issue. Being invited to speak in a symposium is a distinctive opportunity; it places your work within a curated scientific conversation and exposes it to an audience that has specifically chosen to attend that themed session. It also allows you to receive targeted feedback from experts and peers who share a deep interest in the topic.

Important Rules to Keep in Mind During Submission

Submit early. Be sure to submit your abstract early to get your preferred format. Given the new first-come, first-serve system for oral presentations, submitting early could make a real difference in securing your preferred format. Presenting authors will be notified by email on August 12 with details of their session assignment, including the scheduled date and time of their presentation.

Add complete information. Please ensure your competition preferences, titles, and co-authors are complete and accurate, as there will be no opportunity to make changes after the submission deadline. The correction window for updating the title and abstract is open until May 31. Following acceptance, abstract revisions can still be made between mid-August and mid-October.

Make the right choice. First and second choices must differ when submitting. Students who submit the same preference for first and second choice may be excluded from the competition. Students should select the “Student Presentation” submission category to compete. Submissions to the regular 10-minute presentation and poster display categories will not be considered for the student competition.

Know about presentation limitations. Students may submit one oral and one poster presentation, but only one of these can be accepted into the competition sections. This also includes your invited talk or poster in the symposiums. It is important to keep both presentation time and poster dimensions in mind, since speaking time and poster display space are limited for each student. If you are invited as a panelist for a workshop, that does not count toward your one oral presentation. However, please be mindful that your oral presentation and panelist discussion for the workshop do not have a time conflict to attend to both.

The abstract submission deadline is May 31. Students should submit on time, review frequently asked questions, and consult the competition rubrics to prepare effectively.

Kushal Naharki is a Ph.D. candidate at West Virginia University studying aerial detection of invasive species and using natural enemy insects for their management with drones. He is the 2026 chair of the ESA Student Affairs Committee. Email: [email protected] or [email protected]. Nikhitha Gangavarapu is a Ph.D. student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her research focuses on characterizing plant-virus-vector interactions, specifically wheat curl mite-transmitted viruses in wheat, using omics approaches and confocal microscopy. She currently serves as the North Central Branch Representative on the ESA Student Affairs Committee. Email: [email protected]. Gourav Beniwal is an M.S. student at Oklahoma State University. His research is focused on evaluating stink bug thresholds for soybean and cotton in Oklahoma. He currently serves as the Southwestern Branch representative to the ESA Student Affairs Committee. Email: [email protected].