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How to Join the KAS Listserv
KAS has set up a listserv so our members can talk to each other, to share science-related news & announcements, offers, requests, questions and answers. We are excited about fostering more conversations within our scientific community!
Opt In to the listserv:
Log In at the KAS website ( https://kyscience.org/)
In the Member Menu, go to Communication / Message Boards
Click to Opt In to the KAS Member Listserv (and choose the Daily Digest option if you prefer)
To post to the listserv, send a message to kyscience@memberleap.com
Share your news with KAS members
If you have something to share in the monthly KAS newsletter, get in touch with our Newsletter editor, Mark dela Cerna. |
2021 KAS Virtual Annual Meeting
We are very excited to see everyone during our upcoming virtual annual meeting! Registration will remain open until November 3rd with a $5 registration fee for students and teachers and $10 registration fee for professionals.
A preview of the online program can be found here. Watch the page as the program is finalized over the next few days. Meanwhile, we are very excited to present our keynote speakers this year:
Friday Keynote: Dr. Burton Webb, "COVID, Vaccinations, and the End of the Pandemic"
November 5, 4:30 pm ET
Saturday Keynote: Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, "The Disordered Cosmos: A Journey into Dark Matter, Spacetime, and Dreams Deferred"
November 6, 12 noon ET
For presenters, submission of the presentation file is due on November 3rd. For details about the presentations and student competitions, click here.
COVID Update Around KY
More than 60% of Kentuckians have now received at least once vaccine shot-- 50% of the state fully vaccinated! We do however need to remain vigilant and continue observing safe practices including social distancing and mask-wearing when in crowds. We got this, Team Kentucky!
As most of the Commonwealth remains in the Red Zone, make sure to follow the recommendations found here to avoid further spread of the virus in our communities. We are currently hovering at a 10% positivity rate. Meanwhile, there is now some evidence that a Pfizer booster/third shot can help increase immune response. CDC recommends that those with compromised immune systems receive the third shot at least 28 days after the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
KAS Spotlight: Indra Sahu
We continue our spotlight with a local structural biologist who specializes in EPR and membrane proteins, Dr. Sahu!
 Dr. Indra Sahu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at Campbellsville University. He moved to KY in 2019 to start the position, while also maintaining an adjunct position at Miami University in Ohio. He is an expert in Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and the structural biology of membrane proteins.
Learn more about Dr. Sahu and her work in the full spotlight that you can find here. This feature is part of an on-going series that aims to highlight Kentuckian scientists, any field at any level. If you want to be featured or nominate someone to be featured, send us a note! You can also visit the wordpress page dedicated to this series: KYScientist.
BenchTalkLive October
Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research or EPSCoR enhances research competitiveness of targeted jurisdictions (such as Kentucky) by strengthening STEM capacity and capability. Kentucky receives EPSCoR funding from NSF, NASA, DOE and NIH, and we anticipate in increase in funding for next year.
What exactly is EPSCoR?
How do I get my hands on EPSCoR funding?
What can I do with EPSCoR funding?
Watch out for an announcement and a date this month for a BTL session where we will answer EPSCoR-related questions!
Deadline Extended for SEO Award
KAS is still accepting nominations for the annual Excellence in Science Education and Outreach Award. This award is open to KAS members or groups of members, and honors unique activities, educational programs, or approaches that have increased the involvement, engagement, and sustainability of science in the Commonwealth. 
2017 SEO Winner Dr. Kate Bulinski from Bellarmine University
The nominee must have made a major effort to reach the public with positive messages about science and/or have been involved in regular public outreach for 3 or more years. The nominee may have performed the activities as part of their job or a funded grant but outreach must not be the sole focus of their employment.
Nominations must be made by a KAS member other than the nominee. The nominator must provide the Awards Committee with both a letter explaining why the nominee should win the award and three letters of recommendation. For more information about the award, click here. Nomination materials should be sent to KAS Vice-President Julie Reizner.
KAS Research Grants due Nov 15
The 2022 Cycle for the KAS Research Grants is currently open and will accept submissions from members until November 15th.
There are KAS awards and grants in several categories:
- Marcia Athey and Botany Funds
- Special Research Program
- Undergraduate Research Program
- Athey Science Education & Outreach Grant
For further details about these individual awards/grants, visit the KAS Grants webpage. We encourage those interested to apply!
KAS Members: Watch for your Ballot and Vote for Officers
We'll be sending ALL our members your KAS ballot this week- please vote!
Members will be voting for
- KAS Vice President
- KAS Secretary
- KAS At-Large Representative
Biological Division Members will be voting for KAS Biological Division Representative which will be on a separate ballot. BIO Division members should watch out for a second ballot.
Watch your email for your official ballot and VOTE! New officers will be announced at the KAS Business meeting on Saturday November 6 at 1pm ET.
KSC Eat, Drink, Do Science Returns!
The Kentucky Science Center brings back "Eat, Drink, and Do Science," an adult-only event featuring food, drinks, and all your favorite Maker-themed activity stations, plus all the fun of your Kentucky Science Center. Learn more and get tickets by clicking here. Have fun!!
Virtual Grant Writing Workshop
The Kentucky INBRE is offering an intensive workshop on the development of NIH R15-Research Enhancement Award proposals. R15-REA grants are specifically designed to support research projects (three years- $300,000) in the biomedical and behavioral sciences conducted by faculty and students in colleges/universities and health professional schools that have not received more than $6 million in NIH research grants in four of the last seven fiscal years. Thus, faculty at nearly all colleges/universities in Kentucky are eligible.
Click here to register. Registration is open until October 11th. For a detailed agenda, visit the workshop page.
Science Job Postings around KY
If you're looking for a job or if you're hiring, pop over to our jobs page. Please send any job announcements to executivedirector@kyscience.org and include contact information and closing date. We have a couple of job postings this month:
- ​Geology Adjunct Instructor, JCTC
- Organic Chemistry Adjunct, Spalding University
- Executive Director/Co-Executive Director, Kentuckians for the Commonwealth
- Master's Student Position in Cell Biology, Murray State University
- Research Technician in Cell Biology, Murray State University
- Environmental Educators, Louisville Nature Center
- Part Time Instructors and Staff, Tech Corps
There are also several openings for:
- Commonwealth of Kentucky, Personnel
- Kentucky Science Center
- US Geological Survey
Click here for more details. |
