Highlights from the diversity student poster competition

Students: Submit abstracts by July 8 for the 2025 contest

June 17, 2025

Contestant Beomseok Chun and Judge Christine Sprunger during the 2024 Diversity Student Poster Competition at CANVAS 2024 in San Antonio, TX.

The Diversity Student Poster Contest is designed to spotlight research by undergraduate and graduate students who self-identify as members of groups historically underrepresented or marginalized in science. This article recaps last year's contest and encourages students to submit abstracts by July 8 for the 2025 contest.

The Diversity Student Poster Contest is designed to spotlight research by undergraduate and graduate students who self-identify as members of groups historically underrepresented or marginalized in science. The 2024 ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Diversity Student Poster Competition showcased remarkable talent and creativity from students across the country. With 65 posters and 48 expert judges, each entry received thoughtful review by at least three judges.

After the preliminary, virtual round, 15 posters were selected to move on to the final round at CANVAS 2024 last November in San Antonio, TX. There, the posters were again judged by a new group of judges with the top three winners announced at the DEI Summit’s poster-viewing session on Monday afternoon during the conference where attendees gathered to celebrate both scientific achievement and the power of representation. Each winner received a certificate, 2025 Society membership, and monetary awards.

2024 winners

Julia Barra-Netto Ferreira (left), first-place winner of the 2024 Diversity Student Poster ContestÂ and Tiffany Carter, 2024 chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. — Julia Barra-Netto Ferreira (left), first-place winner of the 2024 Diversity Student Poster Contest and Tiffany Carter, 2024 chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.

First place: Julia Barra Netto-Ferreira, University of Florida

Replacing Fallow Periods with Winter Crops Has Limited Benefits on Soil Fertility and Subsequent Corn Yields.

Second place: Midhat Tugoo, Kansas State University

Pearl Millet [Pennisetum Glaucum (L.) R. Br.] Tolerance and Weed Control with Various Preemergence Herbicides

Third place: Grace Pacheco, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Short-Term Cover Crop Species Effects on Soil Biological and Chemistry Properties at Different Agro-Ecoregions in Nebraska

More than just a competition, the event served as a platform for meaningful dialogue and connection.

“What I appreciate about the diversity competition is that—while it may sound cliché—it truly is diverse,” said first-place winner, Julia Barra Netto-Ferreira. “Unlike other sessions that focus on a single topic, this one brings many perspectives and research. It also gives us more opportunities to share our work and talk science, thanks to time set aside just for us.”

2025 Diversity Student Poster Contest

Submissions for the 2025 Diversity Student Poster Contest are now open! Students interested in participating must submit their abstract by July 8, 2025 by selecting the Diversity Poster Contest checkbox during the “Title” step of the abstract submission process. Finalists will be selected through a virtual preliminary review (no presentations) of submitted posters (due Oct. 19, 2025), followed by live judging during CANVAS 2025 in Salt Lake City.

"Unlike other sessions that focus on a single topic, this one brings many perspectives and research."

This contest continues to be a vibrant platform for scientists to share their work, connect with peers and mentors, and be recognized for their contributions to a more inclusive scientific community.

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