ISG Student Paper Contest 2026 – First Edition
N. El Hajj (Convener) & Y.L. Hsu (Convener), D. Zhang (Hong Kong), W. Lam (Hong Kong), Y.H. Chiu (Taiwan), L. Li (Singapore), N. ElHajj (Canada), A. Panahi (Canada)
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AbstractISSUE: Early career researchers (ECRs), including students, are future leaders in the research community and should be supported to help shape research culture and practice (1). Scientific societies and journals can contribute through practical strategies, notably by increasing the visibility of ECR-led efforts and creating opportunities for ECRs to share their research-improvement activities with others (1). In this spirit, the ISG Student Chapter, in collaboration with the Gerontechnology Journal, launched the ISG Student Paper Contest to support students in developing publishable manuscripts from master’s or doctoral thesis research and to increase the visibility of their work within the field (2). The contest aims to strengthen scientific writing, provide formative feedback as part of training, and offer early exposure for student-led research in gerontechnology. CONTENT: Following a two-round selection process, six students have been selected as finalists. 1. Zhang (Hong Kong) will present a standardized deep-learning framework for automated multi-site muscle segmentation in ultrasound to support accessible sarcopenia assessment. 2. Lam (Hong Kong) will present MUNICAS, a multimodal non-invasive instrumental swallowing assessment using simultaneous point-of-care ultrasound and swallowing accelerometry, including exploratory factor analysis of multimodal features. 3. Chiu (Taiwan) will present an intelligent gas-sensing fecal collection bag integrating real-time ammonia sensing with a biodegradable bag to reduce caregiver burden and environmental impact. 4. Li (Singapore) will present a systematic review on how social support through social media influences older adults’ acceptance of AI technologies. 5. El Hajj (Canada) will present a realist review identifying context–mechanism–outcome configurations that explain when and why digital technologies are usable for home-based neurorehabilitation. 6. Panahi (Canada) will present an assessment of commercially available and AGE-WELL-affiliated sensors mapped to interRAI Home Care items to inform the development of a Digital Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment system. CONCLUSION: This first edition will spotlight student-led research from multiple regions of the world and provide finalists with a constructive forum for learning through feedback and discussion. By pairing recognition with visibility, the contest helps amplify emerging voices and supports participants as the next generation of leaders in gerontechnology. The jury’s final decision will consider both the submitted papers and the quality of each finalist’s oral presentation during the symposium.Keywords: student paper contest, gerontechnology
N. El Hajj (Convener) & Y.L. Hsu (Convener), D. Zhang (Hong Kong), W. Lam (Hong Kong), Y.H. Chiu (Taiwan), L. Li (Singapore), N. ElHajj (Canada), A. Panahi (Canada) (2026). ISG Student Paper Contest 2026 – First Edition. Gerontechnology, 25(s),1-1
https://doi.org/10.4017/gt.2026.25.2.1581.3