PHLA hosted its first annual poster session for graduate students to present their research on findings at the intersection of law and public health. The poster session, held at the CDC-sponsored conference The Public's Health and the Law in the 21st Century.

The poster presenters were students in programs in law, medicine, public health, ethics, criminal justice, and health policy selected through a competitive abstract review conducted by PHLA. The students represented twelve major universities including Boston University, University of Houston, Emory University, Columbia University, University of Kentucky, University of California Los Angeles, and New York University. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention supported the project and waived conference registration fees for the student authors. And, GlaxoSmithKline generously contributed $2,500 for travel scholarships to participating students.

The quality of the students' posters was very impressive, and the judges had many outstanding posters to review. The award for best poster went to Anna C. Dragsbaek, a student earning her law degree and her Master of Public Health degree from the University of Houston in Houston, Texas.

Planning is underway for the 2006 Poster Session. A variety of options are being considered for expanding and improving on this year's poster session. Individuals interested in volunteer to assist with the planning of the 2006 poster session should contact Board Member Jean O'Connor at joconnor@phla.info.