The Child Health Research Institute
University of Nebraska Medical Center
University of Nebraska Medical Center

Annual Scientific Conference

header for graphic for CHRI Scientific conference on Friday Dec. 13, 2026.

The Child Health Research Institute (CHRI) will hold its fifth annual Scientific Conference on Friday, Nov. 13, at UNO's Scott Conference Center. The Scientific Conference is CHRI’s flagship event that showcases the groundbreaking research being done by CHRI’s 600+ members. In addition, keynote speaker Maria Melendez-Gonzalez de Ferris, MD, assistant professor, University of North Carolina.  Dr. Melendez-Gonzalez de Ferris works as a specialist in pediatric complex care. Her research focuses on healthcare transitions for children with medical complexity as they transition from childhood to adulthood. Her internationally known work evaluates children’s readiness for increasing autonomy in their healthcare and then creates systems to address those gaps and assure health through adolescence and young adulthood. 

Doors will open at 7:30 a.m. for a light breakfast and networking. The Children's Nebraska Grand Rounds presentation that day will be incorporated into the Scientific Conference agenda and will start at 8 a.m., followed by the plenary session. Afternoon breakout sessions for CHRI’s areas of emphasis will round out the day.

More information on the Keynote Speaker
The internationally know work of Maria Melendez-Gonzalez de Ferris, MD, evaluates children’s readiness for increasing autonomy in their healthcare and then creates systems to address those gaps and assure health through adolescence and young adulthood. Dr. de Ferris is the co-chair of the junior mentoring program at the International Pediatric Nephrology Association, as well as the associate editor of the International Society of Nephrology–Kidney Health Education for Global Impact. She also founded and is the co-director of the International Pediatric Nephrology Fellows Conference. Dr. de Ferris founded and is the director of University of North Carolina Healthcare Transition Program, which teaches healthcare transition preparation to adult-focused care, self-management skills and disease knowledge among adolescents and young adults with chronic health conditions. She also founded and is the co-director of the International and Interdisciplinary Healthcare Transition Research Consortium. Dr. de Ferris has hundreds of publications with interdisciplinary collaborators from across the world and has received multiple honors and awards. She strives to create interventions that address gaps in health self-management and promote better adolescent and young adult outcomes. 

Register

Abstract Submissions

The CHRI Conference is the opportunity for members to share their best research from the year, regardless if it has been shared previously at other events. Abstract submission will be open until Friday, Sept 18. Outstanding scientific work will be recognized via opportunities to present during the conference . Investigators who submit must be registered or register for the CHRI Conference by the registration deadline (Earlybird registration deadline - Sept. 25; Final registration deadline - Nov. 5.)

Please note that case studies, QI projects and educational projects are not eligible for submission for this platform.

Full members of CHRI (see membership page for eligibility and/or apply) with qualifying entries will be considered for three $1,000 faculty development awards to use toward publication expenses. Up to three awards will be given. The award-winning entries will also be invited to present in the plenary session on November 13. 

Abstracts will be evaluated according to the following criteria below. Please make sure to address each criterion while limiting your entry to 400 words. Submitted abstracts will not be edited for typing, spelling or grammatical errors. 

  • Background: Is the background sufficient to frame the hypothesis or question under investigation?
  • Significance of the Problem: Is the significance of the problem under study conveyed convincingly?
  • Hypothesis, Problem OR Question: Is the hypothesis, problem or question well focused and clearly stated?
  • Experimental Design: Is the design described adequately? Is it an appropriate approach to the question under study?
  • Results/Data: Are specific results given and stated clearly?
  • Conclusions: Are stated conclusions supported by the data presented? Are conclusions appropriate in scope?

Abstract Submission Link