Abstracts

Abstract submissions are OPEN!

Deadline: November 4, 2026

Share your research, projects, and conservation efforts at the 2027 Southeast Regional Sea Turtle Meeting in Wilmington, NC. Abstract submissions are open for consideration as an oral presentation or a professional poster. This is an opportunity to showcase your work, exchange ideas, and connect with sea turtle professionals from across the region. Whether you’re presenting new research, highlighting a conservation project, or sharing innovative approaches, your contribution helps advance collaboration and knowledge within the sea turtle community. Submit your abstract today and be part of the conversation shaping the future of sea turtle research and conservation!

Click here for the 2027 Abstract Submission Guidelines.

Changes or cancellations to oral/poster presentation abstracts, authors, or titles may be made exclusively by completing this form. This is the only way to guarantee that changes or cancellations will be listed correctly in the SERSTM program.

The Program Committee will select from abstracts submitted in the following session topics outlined below. Questions regarding your abstract should be addressed to the scientific program chair prior to submitting your abstract. Space for oral presentations is limited. All abstracts will be critically reviewed by the Program Committee, and high-quality abstracts will receive priority for oral presentation. Poster presentations are encouraged, and authors must be present at their posters during designated times to answer questions and discuss their work.

Note: Regardless of where the lead author resides, all abstracts must pertain to sea turtles that reside in the waters or utilize the beaches of states within the southeastern U.S. (Virginia to Texas and Southeast U.S. territories).

Changes in Ecosystems

Connected by Turtles: Movement Ecology

Sea Turtle  Policy

Education & Outreach

Genetics & Biomarkers

Sea Turtle Physiology

Sea Turtle Science: Atlantic Coast Sea Turtles
Natural History of SEUS Sea Turtle Biology

Trophic   Ecology

Health, Disease, & Rehabilitation

Click here for the full descriptions of the 2027 Program Session Topics.

How To Submit

  1. Register here for the Southeast Regional Sea Turtle Meeting.
  2. Find the abstract submission link in your confirmation email.
  3. Please review the Abstract Submission Guidelines before the next steps:
    1. Confirm your registration for SERSTM and the presenting author. Click “Next”.
    2. Select the TYPE OF PRESENTATION you are requesting (prefer oral, prefer poster, no preference). 
    3. Enter your TITLE and ABSTRACT in the boxes provided. Please use sentence case and not upper case when formatting. 
    4. Topics are our Sessions. Choose the TOPIC/SESSION you want your abstract submitted under. Click “Next”. 
    5. Add AUTHORS and AFFILIATIONS in the order you want them to appear in the program and online proceedings. You will need your co-authors’ email addresses, as they are also notified. Please ensure you have the permission of all co-authors before including them in your authorship list. Click “Next”.
    6. Designate whether or not your abstract qualifies for the BOYD LYON AWARD (must be a student presenting his/her own work). Recently graduated presenters (within 8 months of graduation) who are presenting work done as students are also eligible. Choose “Yes” or “No”.
    7. Click “Done”. You’re finished!

Please Note: Government employees or others unable to register due to employer administrative or payment limitations, please contact registrar@serstn.org, and we will work with you on a solution.

NOTICE OF ACCEPTANCE

The Program Committee will make final decisions on abstract acceptance.  All authors will be notified via email of the acceptance of their oral or poster presentation. If you need an acceptance letter sent to someone other than yourself, please specify this in your abstract submission.

CANCELLATIONS

If for some reason you need to cancel your presentation, please contact program@serstn.org as soon as possible. Those who fail to present their papers or posters without canceling in advance of the meeting will not be allowed to present in subsequent meetings.

If you are unable to attend in person, SERSTM is willing to consider limited submissions for virtual oral presentations on a case-by-case basis. Please submit an explanation of your need to present virtually to program@serstn.org. Approval of virtual presentations will be at the discretion of the Program Committee and the SERSTN Board of Directors. Virtual oral presentations will be live-cast in the appropriate session at the meeting and will not be available for online viewing.

Poster Presentations

If your abstract has been selected for a poster presentation, congratulations! Before getting started on your design, please take a moment to review the poster requirements and guidelines. Following these guidelines will help ensure your poster is easy to view, consistent with the meeting format, and ready to showcase your work.

Please note: Poster dimensions must not exceed 42″ x 42″ (107cm x 107cm).

Click here to view the 2027 Poster Requirements & Guidelines

For more questions about abstracts or presentations, please reach out to program@serstn.org.