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Thank You to our Sponsors & Partners!

 

Who participated?
Our final registration total was 725, and we had 411 abstracts submitted.Here's where all of you came from:

Alice Lloyd College                      0
Asbury University                        12
Bellarmine University                  10
Berea College                              27
Brescia University                       1
Campbellsville University            7
Centre College                            3
Eastern Kentucky University       26
Georgetown College                   15
Kentucky Community and Technical College System           31
Kentucky State University           86
Kentucky Wesleyan College       11
Lindsey Wilson University           0
Morehead State University          38
Murray State University               44
Northern Kentucky University      53
Spalding University                     3
Transylvania University               2
University of the Cumberlands    0
University of Kentucky                 47
University of Louisville                 98
University of Pikeville                  18
Western Kentucky University      78

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We welcomed two new board members, starting terms January 1

Ben Brammell, Vice President, Asbury University
Joseph Marquardt, Western Kentucky University

And we bade farewell to two board members who are rolling off. We will miss you!! 

THANK YOU Noel Novelo from Kentucky State University, who served a four year rotation through the KAS Presidency. 

THANK YOU Melissa Mefford from Morehead State University, who is wrapping up as our Grants Chair
 

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Lost & Found
Did you lose an umbrella at the Annual Meeting? Contact us

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The 2026 KAS meeting will be at Murray State University

We've curated a variety of opportunities for our members to learn new skills, advance your careers, and have more impact in the world. Check our our Professional Development Resources at the KAS website. Many of them are free or cheap. If you know of resources you would like to share with fellow scientists, send them our way! 

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Education and Engagement Team invites your participation!

Our Education & Engagement team makes connections with K-12 Teachers, Kentucky field stations, supports the Junior Academy, and connects with other partners around the state.

E&E meets on January 2 at 10 am ET. All are welcome! Email our Executive Director Amanda Fuller to get added to the list.

This free training is open to KAS members at any point in your career, whether you're a student, graduate, or professional. This series offers background in how policy is made at the State level, and offers practical training and experience in researching and communicating scientific information to policymakers and to the public.
Participants will come away with knowledge about the legislative system in Kentucky, and science-related issues moving through the legislature. Participants will also develop skills in building relationships with legislators and translating relevant scientific research for use in public policy. At the end of the series, Participants will get to practice their skills in a visit with legislators at the state capitol. Participants who complete all sessions will receive a “Kentucky Science Policy” certificate and be well-equipped to participate in science policy advising. 

Fridays at 12 noon ET 
January 23, 30
February 6,13, 20
Capitol visit Friday February 27 
Register here for individual sessions or the whole series

Find the full schedule with session details at our website

The KAS Science Policy Committee is publishing a series of short informative briefs on various STEM topics of relevance to legislators. Our first two briefs address PFAS and Nuclear Energy. Do you have an area of expertise that you'd like to develop into a KY STEM Brief? Get in touch with Austin McMasters, our Science Policy Specialist, about future topics

Find the KY STEM Briefs here

Training opportunity: National Science Policy Network

NSPN is offering the Ultimate Science Policy Career Bundle, available through December 31.

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Tell NSF what you think about Workforce Development

The National Science Foundation is seeking community input on its recently published Roadmap for Workforce Development: Building Pathways and Innovations for the Critical and Emerging Technology Workforce, which “aims to offer an actionable agenda to invigorate and empower the ambition of all Americans to join the workforce in critical and emerging technology sectors.” Members of the public can submit feedback via web form, email or postal mail through January 15, 2026

Society for Science's applications for the STEM Research Grant are now open! Middle and high school teachers are encouraged to apply for up to $5,000 to purchase specialized equipment or $1,000 in pre-selected equipment to support many students in STEM research.
 
The deadline to apply is end of day December 5, 2025. For questions, please visit our FAQ or contact SFS at grants@societyforscience.org.

Check out our Special Session at the KAS Annual Meeting on Federal Funding opportunities through EPSCoR and NIH. Annual Meeting Details

Applications are now open for the 10-week virtual spring program! The program offers professional development and a hands-on learning opportunity for researchers, innovators, and healthcare professionals who are interested in learning how to bring their ideas to life. This is an NSF Regional I-Corps program and helps prepare participants for commercialization planning, grant applications, startup formation, and more.

Spring program runs Jan. 16 through March 20.  
Learn more at LaunchBlue.org/UAccel

Offers free trainings, and funding opportunities- check out their monthly news

News, training and funding opportunities from Established Program for Stimulating Competitive Research (EPSCoR) and Institutional Development Award (IDeA)

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Do you know where Kentucky's arches are?

Kentucky Geological Survey does and winter is a great time to see them when the leaves are off the trees! Find them and learn all about them on KGS' StoryMap:
https://kgs.uky.edu/arches