All abstracts are reviewed and scored by departmental faculty. The top four abstracts from each group are invited to present their research orally during the department's Celebration of Science Day each May, where the top two scoring abstracts in each group receive cash prizes.
A look at the 2026 Competition
Members of the Department of Medicine gathered on Friday, May 15 for the 2026 Research Day: A Celebration of Science.
The event began with a panel discussion on ways to effectively communicate about science and research to a non-academic audience. The conversation included perspectives from Krista Longtin, PhD, of the departments of OBGYN and communications; William Sullivan, PhD, of the departments of microbiology and immunology, biochemistry, and molecular biology and pharmacology; and Tracey Wilkinson, MD, of the departments of pediatrics and OBGYN.
Mayo Clinic rheumatologist and clinician-scientist Cornelia Weyand, MD, PhD, then delivered a keynote address on navigating career choices as well as a Medicine Grand Rounds presentation entitled, “The Impact of Immune System Aging on Vascular Inflammation.”
The remainder of the day consisted of presentations from early-stage investigators, including residents, fellows and post-docs, who had earned top scores in the day’s competition.
