Local Scientists: Kentucky Advocates for Science
Organized by Kelsey Jenks, University of Louisville

This session will highlight graduate student researchers at the University of Louisville, provide a brief overview of the research being conducted, and each student's perspective on how that research contributes to Kentucky's economic and social growth.

Nuclear Energy in Kentucky

The Nuclear Energy in Kentucky session will feature speakers with knowledge and experience in the field of nuclear energy. While Kentucky does not currently possess any commercial nuclear power plants, there have been inquiries into small modular reactors by the state government in recent years. The session will inform those interested in the ways Kentuckians would be impacted by diversifying their energy sources to include nuclear energy. Featured speakers include:

1. Dr. Rodney Andrews, Director of Center for Applied Energy Research, Professor of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the University of Kentucky. 
2. Lane Boldman, Executive Director: Kentucky Conservation Committee
3. Dr. Charles Lu, Professor of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at the University of Kentucky, Associate Editor of SAE International Journal of Materials and Manufacturing and SAE International Journal of Aerospace

 Kentucky EPSCoR Funding Programs and Funding Opportunities

 Organized by Cate Webb, Chair of Kentucky Statewide EPSCoR committee. 

This session will provide an update on Federal Funding issues with a special focus on Kentucky EPSCoR  and NIH IDeA opportunities. In the current climate, strategic persistence is required when seeking federal funds.  This session will offer insights and assistance to help all faculty move forward in this critical time.
http://kynsfepscor.uky.edu/ky-epscor/
https://www.kyinbre.org/home

Kentucky Aerospace Research
Organized by Jacob Owen, NASA Kentucky Space Grant and EPSCoR Programs

The Kentucky Space Grant Consortium and NASA Kentucky EPSCoR Programs (NASA KY) will host a special session at the Kentucky Academy of Science 2025 meeting. Current research from NASA-related projects at higher education institutions across the state will be presented. Topics will include space and aerospace research projects that are active statewide in Kentucky’s engineering and science departments. Presenters will include faculty, graduate and undergraduate students who are directly involved in supporting NASA missions and technology.
NASA KY supports research in aerospace, aeronautics, space science and related disciplines such as energy, physics, geosciences, biomedical, human health and performance, and computer science.
Kentucky Space Grant Consortium (KYSGC) includes 18 Kentucky universities, colleges and community colleges, 5 industry partners, 4 science centers and 2 STEM educational organizations, partnered with NASA to support Kentucky college students, higher education faculty, and pre-college programs. The national Space Grant network includes over 1,000 affiliates from universities, colleges, industry, museums, science centers, state and local agencies.
NASA EPSCoR (Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) supports partnerships with higher education, government and industry designed to make lasting improvements in a state’s research infrastructure and R&D competitiveness. Kentucky’s NASA EPSCoR Program supports NASA-related research projects and partnerships in the state for any Kentucky institution of higher learning and their industry partners.

The NASA KY program serves the Commonwealth of Kentucky and is administered by the University of Kentucky Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.

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