Florida Brain Injury Research Symposium
May 14, 2026 | UF Research & Academic Center at Lake Nona (Orlando, FL)
Hosted by the University of Florida Brain Injury, Rehabilitation, and Neuroresilience (BRAIN) Center
Held in conjunction with Brain Injury Florida’s Annual Educational Conference (May 14–15, 2026)
Overview
The Florida Brain Injury Research Symposium is the inaugural statewide research-focused meeting hosted by the University of Florida Brain Injury, Rehabilitation, and Neuroresilience (BRAIN) Center. The symposium is designed to bring together researchers, clinicians, rehabilitation specialists, emergency and trauma providers, trainees, and community partners from across Florida and beyond to share advances in brain injury science, clinical care, and systems of recovery.
The program features invited speakers representing multiple academic institutions and health systems, including the University of Florida, University of South Florida, University of Central Florida, and national partners. Educational content spans the full continuum of brain injury care, from emergency department evaluation and acute management, to rehabilitation and recovery, to translational research and multi-institutional clinical trials. Dedicated panel discussions will address statewide collaboration in clinical trials and best practices for effective discharge and care coordination following emergency department treatment.
The symposium also includes a competitive poster session, highlighting original research, clinical innovations, and quality improvement initiatives. Selected abstracts will be featured in digital poster presentations, with poster awards announced during the evening Poster Reception, providing opportunities for networking and collaboration across disciplines and institutions.
📄 View the tentative agenda here.
Sponsorship & exhibitor information: Coming soon
Organizations interested in supporting the symposium through sponsorship opportunities are encouraged to contact Jessica Kirwan, jessica.kirwan @ neurology.ufl.edu
Call for Abstracts
The Florida Brain Injury Research Symposium Poster Session provides an opportunity for investigators, clinicians, trainees, and community partners to present work that advances brain injury research, clinical practice, rehabilitation, and systems of care. The poster session is designed to foster discussion, mentorship, and collaboration among attendees from across the state.
Topics of Interest
Abstracts are welcomed across the continuum of brain injury research and care, including but not limited to:
- Emergency medicine, trauma, and neurocritical care
- Rehabilitation, recovery, and long-term outcomes
- Translational science and multi-institutional clinical trials
- Biomarkers, neuroimaging, and diagnostics
- Pediatric brain injury and sports-related concussion
- Neuropsychiatric and cognitive sequelae
- Community reintegration, quality of life, and caregiver support
- Health equity, rural access, and disparities in care
- Systems of care, discharge planning, and care coordination
- Veteran and service member brain injury
Types of Abstracts Accepted
- Original Research (basic, translational, clinical, outcomes-based)
- Clinical or Program Innovations
- Quality Improvement Projects
- Community-Based Participatory Projects
- Data-supported Case Series
Abstract Format & Requirements
- Maximum 2,000 characters under the following headings:
Purpose, Method, Results, Conclusions
(Headings do not count toward the word limit.)
- Submissions must include:
- Full name(s) and institutional affiliation(s) of all authors
- Corresponding author email address
- Poster title
- Abstract text
- Indication of whether the abstract has been presented at another meeting
Abstracts must include final data. Submissions stating “data are to be collected” or “results are expected” will not be accepted.
Digital Poster Presentations & Awards
- The top-scoring abstracts will be selected for Digital Poster Presentations (Top 5 posters, 5 minutes each).
- Poster Awards (1st, 2nd, and 3rd place) will be announced during the symposium, followed by a Poster Session & Reception on Thursday evening.
Abstract Submission Deadline: April 1, 2026
Abstract Submission Link
Submit abstracts here.
Contact
For questions regarding the symposium or abstract submissions, please contact:
Jessica Kirwan
University of Florida BRAIN Center
Email: jessica.kirwan @ neurology.ufl.edu