Call for Abstracts

Abstract Template Download

The Scientific Planning Committee is pleased to invite attendees to contribute abstracts for the fifth Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations National Conference set for Feb. 18-20, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas.  

The overarching theme of the conference is “Building Health for all: Uniting Scientific Cancer Research & Community Action.”

We invite abstracts across these broad themes:

1. World Health & Cancer in Latinos: How Extreme Weather, Pollution, and Environmental Exposures Shape Cancer Risks in Latino Communities  
2. Chronic Disease & Cancer Across the Latino Lifespan: The Links between Chronic Conditions and Cancer at Every Stage of Life
3. Next-Gen Diagnostics, Clinical Access, and Research in Latinos: Cutting-Edge Advances in Biomarkers, the Microbiome and Precision Medicine
4. Breaking the Latino Barriers in Clinical Trials: Strategies to Increase Latino Participation in Cancer Prevention, Care, and Research  
5. Hot Topics in Latino Cancer Science: Ultra-Processed Foods, Microplastics, Vaccines, Artificial Intelligence, Other Timely Issues, and Innovative Methods of Cancer Control
6. Latino Genetics, Ancestry, and Cancer Risk: How Family History and Ancestry Influence Cancer Development and Outcomes  
7. Social, Cultural, and Behavioral Drivers of Cancer Outcomes among Latinos 
8. Connecting community, advocacy and research to reduce cancer risk in Latinos.  

Poster Session

All abstracts will be reviewed and scored by the Scientific Planning Committee and considered for poster presentation. Posters will be available for viewing during the Abstract Session, February 19, 2026, where all conference attendees will be able to share their research and network with other participants. 

Rapid Fire Session

To encourage participation from early-career investigators and provide an opportunity and platform to present their work, the 2026 conference program will feature an Early Investigator Session, scheduled for the afternoon of Feb. 18, 2026. This rapid-fire session will highlight a limited number of highly rated abstracts, as selected by the Scientific Planning Committee, represented as oral presentations only (no poster). Each presenter will give a 5-minute oral presentation followed by a general Q&A with the audience. 

Abstract Submission Instructions 

Attendees are required to submit an abstract no later than 11:59 PM CST on Dec. 10, 2026. All abstracts must use the Abstract Template and be submitted via email to latinocancer@uthscsa.edu. Please follow the instructions below. Abstracts in any other format will not be accepted.

Rules and Regulations for Abstract Submission 

• An author may not submit more than three abstracts in any order of authorship.
• If your abstract is accepted for presentation, the presenting author must register for the conference by the early bird registration deadline, Dec. 18, 2025.
• Abstracts submitted and accepted for the 2026 Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and all Populations Conference may not be presented at any other meeting or published prior to Feb. 18, 2026.
• Work in progress may be submitted. 

Abstract Submission Checklist

• Abstract template and layout
  • All submissions must use the abstract template (click here for template).
  • It is recommended that the content of the abstract be divided into appropriate sections (i.e., background, methods, results, conclusion etc.).
  • Abstract should be no longer than 250 words, including subheadings.
  • Abstracts must use 12-point, Times New Roman font.
• Indicate the proposed abstract theme.
• Include a descriptive abstract title.
• Include all authors who contributed to the abstract.
  • Underline the name of the presenter(s).
  • Indicate if the presenter(s) are early-career investigators*
  • Indicate with an asterisk (*) the name of the corresponding author.
  • Provide the name and email address for the presenter(s) and the corresponding author.
• Include all authors’ affiliations.
  • Author affiliations should include institution name, city, state, and country.
• Abbreviations are allowed if they are described in full at the first mention.
• Do not use charts or images.
• Do not include references. 

^{*An early-career investigator is an investigator who has completed their terminal research degree or end of post-graduate clinical training, whichever date is later, within the past 10 years and has not previously competed successfully as a Program Director / Principal Investigator for a substantial NIH independent research award.} 

Notification of Abstract Status 

A confirmation email including an abstract ID number will be sent upon receipt of submission. Decision notifications will be sent by Jan. 15, 2026. All notices and instructions will be sent by email to the corresponding author. 

Poster Submission Instructions 

If your abstract is accepted for the poster session, you will be responsible for developing a poster using the following guidelines: 

• X Banners
  • Posters must be 24 X 63 to fit on vertical x-banners. Vertical x-banners will be provided.
• Template
  • Please use the PowerPoint poster template to prepare your poster. Posters in any other format will not be displayed due to the limited availability of x-banners. The template is the exact size that your poster needs to be.
  • Click Here for Template
• Content
  • You may change the layout of sections, fonts, colors, and add your institution’s logo, but your poster must conform to the 24 x 63 size.
  • The top of the poster should feature the title of the project/program, the principal investigator, and any other contributors.
  • The content of the poster should be divided into appropriate sections (i.e., background/introduction, methods, results, conclusions, significance/impact, etc.).
  • Include illustrations if possible – figures, tables, color photographs, charts, etc.
  • Avoid use of fancy fonts. Simple serif fonts (i.e., Times New Roman) are easier to read than sans (without) serif fonts (i.e., Geneva).
  • All posters must be identified with the primary program affiliation of the presenter and noted which grant and core usage the research was supported by.
• Label and Grommets
  • The material should be well labeled and legible from 2 yards away.
  • Posters must have grommets that are ½ an inch in from the edges on all four corners of the poster. Please see the pictures below.

Front View of X-Banner

Side View of X-Banner

Back View of X-Banner

Registration  

 If your abstract is accepted for the poster session, all presenters are required to register for the conference. The early bird registration rate will be offered past the early bird deadline, if your abstract is chosen. 

To register for the conference, Click here. 

To reserve your hotel, click here. 

Printing Your Poster

If your abstract is accepted for the poster session, you may print your poster at your institution or at the UT Print Shop. If you are printing your poster at your institution, please ensure that your poster is the correct size (24 X 63) and that your poster has grommets that are ½ an inch in from edges on all four corners of the poster. If you would like to have your poster printed through the UT Print Shop, please see below for additional instructions.

Ordering Your Poster through the UT Print Shop

The cost to print your poster through UT Print Shop is $75.00. 

If your abstract is accepted for the poster session, a payment authorization form will be emailed to you. The payment authorization form will need to be completed and emailed to LatinoCancer@uthscsa.edu along with your completed poster. 

Once we receive your completed poster and payment authorization form, we will submit your print request and collect the $75.00 payment. Please submit the printing and payment authorization form and your poster for printing by Jan. 29, 2026, 5:00 PM CST to ensure that it is ready in time for the poster session. If you do not submit it by January 29, UT Print cannot print your poster. 

Delivery & Picking Up Your Poster

If you are not part of UT Health San Antonio, we will bring your poster to the conference venue and have it ready for pick-up during the poster session.

If you part of UT Health San Antonio, you are responsible for picking up your poster.

Rapid Fire Session 

If your abstract is accepted for the rapid-fire session, you will be responsible for developing a short PowerPoint presentation using the following guidelines:

• Content and Format
  • Highlight the major contribution of your work in five (5) slides.
  • The content of your presentation should be divided into appropriate sections (i.e., what is the problem, why is it important, how did you address it, and what are the major results and conclusions).
  • Make sure your PowerPoint presentation is in 16:9 format. You can click on the “Design” tab in PowerPoint, then click on Slide Size”. You should choose “Widescreen (16:9)” from the drop-down menu.
• You MUST send your 5-slide PPT to LatinoCancer@uthscsa.edu by 11:59 PM CST on Feb. 9, 2026 (no extension). 

Abstract Timeline