Luai Kawar
Introduction
Winning “Best Presentation” at an international conference is a rewarding achievement, but it’s not just about the recognition—it’s a reflection of your ability to communicate impactful research effectively. At the 27th European Association for Vision and Eye Research (EVER) Congress in Valencia, I had the privilege of presenting my work on orbital abscesses, which earned me the award for Best Presentation in the Immunology/Microbiology section. This experience taught me valuable lessons on how to craft and deliver an award-winning presentation.
In this article, I share practical advice for anyone aiming to achieve similar success, covering everything from preparation to networking and beyond. Not only does this add crucial points to your ophthalmology portfolio application, but it also demonstrates your ability to effectively communicate findings that directly impact patient care and ophthalmic practice—a highly valued skill in both clinical and academic contexts.
Choose the Right Topic
The foundation of an award-winning presentation lies in selecting a topic that is both clinically relevant and engaging to your audience. In ophthalmology, this means focusing on issues that address current challenges in patient management or advance the understanding of ocular diseases. My research on orbital abscesses, for example, tackled a common yet significant cause of morbidity in children. By analysing microbiological trends and resistance patterns, I provided practical recommendations for antibiotic prescribing, which clinicians could immediately apply in practice.
To stand out, ensure your research brings something new to the table. My findings included a relative increase in specific micro-organisms compared to prior literature, which offered fresh insights into the evolving microbiology of orbital abscesses. Additionally, actionable conclusions are key. Providing clear, evidence-based guidelines for empirical therapy, ensured my presentation had real-world applicability, making it more impactful to the ophthalmology community.
Structure Your Presentation
A well-structured presentation is crucial to keeping your audience engaged. Begin with an introduction that sets the stage for your research. I started my talk by describing a rare case of Fusobacterium necrophorum that led to Lemierre’s syndrome, which immediately highlighted the clinical significance of the study. Once the audience’s attention is captured, clearly outline your methods and results, ensuring you provide enough detail for the audience to understand your approach without overwhelming them with minutiae. Visual aids such as graphs and charts can effectively convey trends and key findings.
Conclude your presentation with a discussion that ties your results to their implications for ophthalmic practice. By ending with actionable takeaways, you leave a lasting impression on your audience.
Design Visually Engaging Slides
The design of your slides can significantly enhance your presentation’s impact. Ophthalmology presentations often involve complex data, but slides should be kept clean and minimalistic to avoid overwhelming your audience. Limit text to key points and use large, clear fonts to ensure readability. Incorporate high-quality images and clinical examples, such as fundus photographs or imaging results, to visually support your findings and make the presentation more engaging.
When displaying data, use simple graphs or charts to highlight trends clearly. For my presentation, I used a bar chart to illustrate the distribution of microbial isolates in orbital abscesses, making it easy for the audience to understand the relative frequency of different pathogens. By maintaining a balance between clarity and detail, you can ensure your slides enhance your message rather than distract from it.
Practise Until You’re Polished
Rehearsing is key to delivering a confident and professional presentation. Practise multiple times to ensure your talk fits within the allotted time, leaving space for audience questions. Simulate the conference environment by presenting to colleagues or mentors, who can provide constructive feedback on both your content and delivery.
In ophthalmology, where presentations often involve technical terms and complex findings, practising how to explain these concepts clearly is essential. Anticipate questions related to your methods, results, or clinical implications and prepare thoughtful responses.
Deliver with Confidence
On the day of your presentation, focus on connecting with your audience. Start with a strong opening that captures their interest and sets the tone for the talk. Speaking clearly and at a steady pace is essential. Use purposeful gestures, maintain eye contact, and project confidence to keep the audience engaged.
Engage During the Q&A
The Q&A session is an opportunity to showcase your expertise and further engage with the audience. Listen carefully to each question and ensure you fully understand it before responding. If you don’t know the answer, acknowledge it honestly and suggest a follow-up. Maintaining composure, even when faced with challenging or unexpected questions, demonstrates professionalism and confidence.
Network and Learn
International conferences like EVER are not just about presenting—they are an invaluable opportunity for networking and learning. During the congress, I connected with consultants, researchers, and fellow trainees, exchanging ideas that broadened my perspective on different ophthalmic subspecialties. Engaging with others may also open the doors for potential collaborations!
The congress sessions offered insights into cutting-edge advancements, from AI-driven retinal imaging to gene therapies for inherited retinal diseases. Attending these lectures provided inspiration for future research projects and deepened my understanding of emerging trends in ophthalmology.
Reflect and Improve
After your presentation, take time to reflect on the experience. Seek feedback from mentors or peers who attended your talk to identify areas for improvement. Evaluate both your content and delivery—what worked well, and what could be refined? Use this feedback to enhance your skills for future opportunities, ensuring each presentation is better than the last.
Conclusion
Winning the Best Presentation at the EVER Congress in Valencia was a milestone that reinforced the importance of preparation, clarity, and connection. By choosing a relevant ophthalmology topic, designing engaging visuals, practising extensively, and leveraging the networking and learning opportunities at the conference, you can set yourself up for success.
Remember, the goal isn’t just to win an award—it’s to share your work meaningfully, inspire others, and contribute to the advancement of ophthalmology.