The annual Medical Student Research Conference is an opportunity for the Carver College of Medicine community to enjoy learning about research projects conducted by medical students in the college. Medical students from all four years of study are eligible to present their research.

The 2026 Medical Student Research Conference will be held in the Medical Education and Research Facility (MERF) on September 16-17, 2026. Juried events begin on Wednesday with concurrent oral presentations starting at 8 am and running through 10 am.  Posters of medical students' research will be on display both Wednesday and Thursday in the MERF Atrium, with half these students presenting their work from noon-1 pm each day.  Presentations in both oral and poster sessions will be judged by two CCOM reviewers; all presenters are eligible for cash awards sponsored by various departments and University of Iowa Foundation donors.

2026 Medical Student Research Conference Program

2026 Medical Student Research Conference Abstracts

An Awards Ceremony and Dinner will be held on Friday, September 18th for student presenters and their mentors.  Presentation award recipients will be announced during this event.

2026 Keynote Speaker for Awards Ceremony: 

Martha Carvour, MD, PhD 

Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases
Assistant Professor of Epidemiology, College of Public Health
Vice Chair for Quality and Safety, Department of Internal Medicine
Associate Director, Iowa Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP)