The Trainee Competitions are a key features of the 2026 iBEST Symposium, designed to highlight cutting-edge research conducted by trainees in the fields of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Technology. This year, trainees have the opportunity to showcase their research and compete for awards in two distinct categories:
Both competitions are designed to motivate trainees, enhance scientific communication skills, and increase engagement in the research community. Trainees must compete in the poster competition to be eligible to compete in the Lightning Talks competition.
Registration Opens
August 24, 2026
Registration Closes
August 30, 2026
Event Date
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Event Location
Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, 209 Victoria St, Toronto, ON
Trainee Lighting Talks
What it is:
A live oral presentation where trainees present their research in a clear, engaging, and structured format.
Eligibility:
Open to iBEST trainees.
Presentation Categories and Awards:
- First Place – Best Presentation
- Second Place
- Third Place
Lightning Talks Format:
- The lightning talks will feature 7-8 participants in total. A review panel will pre-screen all submissions, and the selected trainees will be featured as the finalists and will present on the day of the Symposium.
- Finalists will be notified one week before the event.
- Presentations must by three minutes in length.
People’s Choice Voting
Rather than being scored by a judging panel during the Symposium, the Lightning Talk awards will be determined through a People’s Choice vote.
Attendees will be encouraged to consider:
- How clearly the presenter communicated their research.
- How engaging and memorable the presentation was.
- The significance or potential impact of the work.
- How effectively the presenter made their research understandable to a broad audience.
Each attendee will cast one vote for their preferred Lightning Talk presentation. The three trainees receiving the highest number of votes will receive 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, respectively.
Trainee Poster Competition
What it is:
A research poster presentation session where trainees visually communicate their work.
Eligibility:
Open to all trainees conducting research in biomedical sciences, engineering and technology. Preference will be given to iBEST Trainees.
Presentation Categories and Awards:
- First Place Poster Award ($200)
- Second Place Poster Award ($150)
- Third Place Poster Award ($100)
Submission and Selection Process:
A review panel will pre-screen all submissions before the day of the event to assist with efficient and fair judgment on the day of the Symposium
Judging Criteria (Total: 20 Points Per Presentation):
Trainees will be evaluated on the following criteria:
- Scientific Innovation and Impact — Strength of the research question, methodology, and conclusions. (Five points)
- Clarity and Organization — Logical flow of information, ease of understanding, structured layout, and effective use of figures, charts, and images. (Five points)
- Engagement and Communication — How well the trainee explains their research and engages with the judges. (Five points)
- Visuals and Delivery — The potential of the research to contribute to biomedical innovation and clinical applications. (Five points)
Scoring Process:
Judges score each finalist’s poster, and the top three highest-scoring posters receive awards.
Submission Deadline:
August 30, 2026, 11:59 p.m.
Trainees can register for one or both competitions but can only win one award (whichever they score highest in).
Registration and Submission Details
What you need to submit:
- RFull Name, Email, and Affiliation
- RTitle and Abstract (300 words max)
- RResearch Category (AI in healthcare)
- RKeywords (3-5 words)
- RFor Posters: Draft Submission (Required)
- RFor Lightning Talks: 1-2 Slide Presentation
Call for Judges – Volunteers Needed!
To ensure a fair and structured competition, we are seeking faculty, researchers, or industry professionals to serve as competition judges. If you are interested in volunteering as a judge, please reach out to ibest@torontomu.ca
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I participate in both competitions?
Yes! Participants may enter both competitions but are only eligible to receive one award. If they place in the top three in both competitions, they will receive the higher-ranking award, with the Lightning Talk used as the tiebreaker.
Can I update my submission after registering?
No, once you submit your application, you can no longer make changes.
When will I know if I am selected as a finalist for the Trainee Presentation?
Finalists will be announced one week before the Symposium.
What happens if there is a tie in scoring?
In case of a tie, the Lightning Talk score will be used as a tiebreaker.
Get Ready to Showcase your Research!
We look forward to seeing your innovative research at the 2026 iBEST Symposium! Register for the Trainee Competitions by August 30 and be part of this exciting event.
For any questions, please contact ibest@torontomu.ca.
View Past iBEST Symposia
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