Coast-to-Coast

Coast-to-Coast

Submission Instructions

We invite researchers, clinicians, investigators, advocates, and community partners to submit an abstract for consideration at Coast to Coast Conference, 2026: Mechanisms to Metrics (March 16-18, Houston, TX). This year’s meeting brings together interdisciplinary stakeholders to advance Mechanisms to Metrics through evidence, innovation, and real-world implementation.

Accepted abstracts may be selected for oral presentation, poster presentation, or panel/featured session (as applicable). Presenters are strongly encouraged to present in person to maximize discussion, networking, and collaboration. A limited number of virtual presentation slots may be available (please select the virtual presentation option).

Submission window: January 15 – February 15
Notification of decisions: February 22
Presentation dates: March 16-18

Abstract Requirements

  • Word limit: 500 words (excluding title, including authors)
  • Language: English
  • Structure: Unstructured allowed
  • Figures/tables: You are allowed up to 2 figures. These may be used in conference advertisements or displayed at the conference.
  • References: Not required

What to Include in Your Abstract

Please prepare your abstract with the following elements:

  1. Title
  • Clear, specific, and reflective of your work.
  1. Authors and Affiliations
  • List all authors with institutional/organizational affiliations. You will put this list at the beginning of the abstract box.
  • Identify the presenting author (name + email). There is a separate field on the right side of the form for entering the presenting author information.
  1. Background / Rationale (1–3 sentences)
  • Briefly state the problem or gap your work addresses and why it matters.
  1. Objectives / Research Question
  • Specify the primary aim(s) or question(s).
  1. Methods / Approach
  • Summarize study design, setting, population/sample, data sources, measures, and analytic approach.
  • For qualitative or community-based work, clearly describe the framework and methods.
  1. Results / Key Findings
  • Provide primary results (preferred).
  • If results are pending, include the words “preliminary findings“.
  1. Conclusions / Implications
  • State what your results mean and the relevance to practice, policy, investigation, prevention, or future research.
  1. Keywords (3–5)
  2. Topic Area / Track Selection
  • Choose the best fit from the conference tracks: Bereavement, Prevention, Autopsy and Medical History, Pathology, Death Scene Investigation, Data Mining (includes Epidemiology and Genetics), Translational Modeling. 
  1. Preferred Presentation Format
  • Select: Oral, Poster, or No preference. If you intend to request a virtual presentation, please select the Virtual Presentation option.
  • The program committee reserves the right to assign the final format.
  1. In-Person vs Virtual Presentation
  • Presenters are expected to present in person when possible.
  • If requesting a virtual presentation, briefly indicate so by selecting the Virtual Presentation option.
  1. Ethics / Compliance (if applicable)
  • Indicate IRB/ethics approval status or exemption for human subjects research, or note N/A.
  • Disclose any conflicts of interest.