Cracking the Conference Code: Mastering Conference Etiquette

When:  Feb 9, 2026 from 03:00 PM to 04:00 PM (ET)

Registration is required for this free webinar

Hosted by the SOT Graduate Student Leadership Committee—Professional Development Subcommittee 

Professional conferences offer invaluable opportunities for graduate students to expand their networks, share reearch, and explore career paths. However, navigating these events effectively requires preparation, confidence, and strategy. This webinar is designed to equip trainees with practical guidance for making the most of their conference experience - from planning to following up after the event. 

Our speakers will discuss key considerations before the conference, including defining goals, managing abstracts and presentations, and identifying networking opportunities. We will then move to conference-day strategies - how to approach poster sessions, interact with potential collaborators or employers, ask thoughtful questions, and maintain professional etiquette in both formal and informal settings. Finally, we will highlight post-conference actions that strengthen newly formed connections and translate conference momentum into long-term professional growth and collaborations. 

 Whether attending your first conference or looking to refine your approach, this session will provide actionable insights that help you show up prepared, confident, and ready to make a lasting impression. 

Speakers:

Shaun D. McCullough, PhD

Team Lead & Senior Principal Respiratory Scientist
Predictive Toxicology & Exploratory Biology
RTI International

Marie C. Fortin, PhD, DABT, ERT, ATS

Head of Toxicology

Edgewise Therapeutics

Sumira Phatak, PhD
IRACDA Fellow
College of Pharmacy
University of New Mexico