Kentucky State University
November 1-2, 2024
2024 Annual Meeting Program

 

Welcome to the 110th
Kentucky Academy of Science Annual Meeting
and
the 92nd Anniversary meeting of the Kentucky Junior Academy of Science

Dr. Koffi C. Akakpo, Kentucky State University President

We are thrilled to host the annual meeting of the Kentucky Academy of Sciences (KAS) at Kentucky State University (KSU). KSU is dedicated to promoting and supporting the advancements of the STEM field and we continually strive to foster an inclusive and vibrant STEM community.

Recently, KSU celebrated a monumental achievement in the institution’s history, having been awarded a substantial $7,000,000 from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for the project titled, Driving AgTech Research and Education in Kentucky (DARE-KY) through Inclusive Network Building, Impactful Research, and Workforce Development for Soilless Food Systems.

This award, which marks the largest competitive stand-alone federal award in KSU’s history, is set to transform the landscape of agriculture technology and STEM education in Kentucky as well as establish a research incubator for the Commonwealth.

As a historically black college or university (HBCU), we recognize our significant potential for increasing and broadening underrepresented minority participation in the nation’s STEM workforce through focused recruitment, retention and mentoring programs, research, and successfully graduating students in STEM disciplines. Hence why we launched the College of Business, Engineering and Technology this past Spring 2024.

The newly established college houses the School of Engineering and Technology which offers programs designed to prepare individuals with the skills to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development, and operational evaluation of systems, equipment and facilities. These applications are intended for the production, processing, storage, handling, distribution, and use of food, feed, fiber, including areas such as aquaculture, forestry, and the management of human and natural resources. KSU has built multiple innovative programs both in undergraduate and graduate programs as well as both on campus and online. We are delighted to now offer programs such as a B.S. in Biological and Agricultural Engineering, M.S. in Computer Science, and more.

We understand, however, that the path to STEM education begins much earlier than college and diligently collaborate with partner organizations such as CHI Saint Joseph Health, the More in Common Alliance, and Morehouse School of Medicine to launch youth programs like the More in Common STEM and Health Careers Summer Academy this past summer. KSU and its partners were pleased to host this incredible program that encouraged high school and middle school students to explore STEM and health careers. Additionally, KSU hosts an annual, three-week residential camp, the Summer Apprenticeship Program (SAP). This camp prepares rising junior and senior high school students for college, STEM research, and STEM career pathways by partnering students with mentors within their fields of interest.

These highlights are just a few of the ways KSU is bridging gaps in STEM research and education for students and scientists from all walks of life to foster innovative ideas and influences in the STEM field for the prosperity of the Commonwealth and the world.

Again, welcome and I hope you enjoy your stay at Kentucky State University!

Friday Schedule Grid (download pdf )

FRIDAY Nov 1
8:00 Check-in, Coffee, Breakfast - Student Center 3rd fl
8:00 Practice Room Open- Hathaway 126
9:00 – 11:00 Oral Presentations
Agriculture I Oral Presentations - Hathaway 123
Cellular & Molecular Biology I Oral Presentations- Bradford122A
Chemistry (combined) Oral Presentations - Hathaway 130
Engineering Oral Presentations- Hathaway 120
Environmental Sciences I Oral Presentations- Bradford 101

9:15 – 10:45– AM Aquaculture tour- Meet vans outside Student Center
10am - 4:00pm Exhibitors - Student Center 3rd  & 4th Fl.
10:30 – 11:30 Q&A chats with AM oral presenters + Section Meetings
Hathaway 212 and Bradford Lobby
11:00 – 12:00 Posters (odd numbers) –Student Center 4th Fl Ballroom
Agriculture Posters Group A
Cellular & Molecular Biology Posters
Chemistry: Analytical & Physical Posters
Chemistry: Organic / Inorganic Posters
Computer & Informational Sciences Posters
Engineering Posters
Environmental Sciences Posters
Microbiology Posters

11:45-1:00 Box Lunch Pickup
(If you ordered a lunch and are attending a workshop your lunch will be in your Workshop room)
All other preordered box lunches - Student Center 3rd Fl. 
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch Break/ Exhibitors / Workshops
12:00-1:00 Junior Academy Lunch - 2nd fl. Student Center, President's Dining Room
12:00-1:00 Kentucky EPSCoR Funding Programs and Funding Opportunities
Bradford 122A
12:00-1:00 Diverse Identities in STEM History - Bradford 101
12:00-1:00 Is Graduate School Right for Me? - Hathaway 130

1:00 – 2:00 Posters (even numbers) – Student Center 4th Fl Ballroom
Agriculture Posters Group A
Cellular & Molecular Biology Posters
Chemistry: Analytical & Physical Posters
Chemistry: Organic / Inorganic Posters
Computer & Informational Sciences Posters
Engineering Posters
Environmental Sciences Posters
Microbiology* Posters

2:00 – 3:30 PM Aquaculture Tour- Meet vans outside Student Center
2:00 – 3:30 Oral Presentations
Special Session (2-4pm): Kentucky Aerospace Research - Hathaway 130
Agriculture II Oral Presentations- Hathaway 123
Cellular & Molecular Biology II Oral Presentations- Bradford122A
Computer & Informational Sciences Oral Presentations - Hathaway 122
Environmental Sciences II Oral Presentations- Bradford 101
Mathematics** Oral Presentations -  Hathaway 120
3:00 – 4:00 (times vary by session) Q&A chats with PM oral presenters + Section Meetings

4:15 – 5:45pm Plenary- Spotlight on STEM Career Paths (Kurt Thaxton, and Women in Science Panel)
        Welcome from KSU Provost Dr. Michael Dailey - Bradford 122
5:45 – 8:00pm STEM Networking reception  - Cooperative Extension Building Room 238
7:00 Science Policy meetup - Cooperative Extension building

Saturday Schedule Grid (download pdf)


SATURDAY Nov 2
8:00 Check-in, Coffee, Breakfast- Student Center 3rd fl
KCTCS Faculty Breakfast - Student Center 313
Earth Sciences Breakfast - Student Center 310
8:00 Practice Room Open - Hathaway 126
9:00 – 11:00 Oral Presentations
Agriculture III Oral Presentations - Hathaway 130
Special Session: Applied Bioinformatics I - Hathaway 223
Ecology/Zoology/Botany I Oral Presentations- Bradford 122A
Geography Oral Presentations - Hathaway 122
Health Sciences Oral Presentations - Bradford 101
Physics/Astronomy I Oral Presentations (9-11:15) - Hathaway 123
Physiology/ Biochemistry Oral Presentations- Hathaway 120
Science Education Oral Presentations - Hathaway 114
9:30 – 12:00 Scientists’ Tour of the Ky State Capitol - Meet outside Student Center to carpool
10am - 4:00pm Exhibitors - Student Center 3rd  & 4th Fl
10:30 – 11:30 Q&A chats with AM oral presenters + Section Meetings
Hathaway 212 and Bradford Lobby

11:00 –12:00 Posters (odd numbers) – Student Center 4th Fl. Ballroom
Agriculture Posters Group B
Anthropology / Sociology Posters
Ecology Posters
Geography Posters
Geology Posters 
Health Sciences Posters
Physics/Astronomy Posters
Physiology/ Biochemistry
Psychology* Posters
Science Education Posters
Zoology Posters

11:45-1:00 Box Lunch Pickup (by pre-order) - Student Center 3rd Fl.
12:00 – 1:30 Lunch Break / Exhibitors  - Student Center 3rd & 4th Fl.
12:15 - 1:15 Business Meeting Luncheon- Cooperative Extension 238

1:30 – 2:30 Posters (even numbers) –Student Center 4th Fl. Ballroom
Agriculture Posters Group B
Anthropology / Sociology Posters
Ecology Posters
Geography Posters
Geology Posters 
Health Sciences Posters
Physics/Astronomy Posters
Physiology/ Biochemistry
Psychology* Posters
Science Education Posters
Zoology Posters

2:30 – 4:00 Oral Presentations
Agriculture IV Oral Presentations - Hathaway 130
Anthropology/ Sociology Oral Presentations - Hathaway 122
Applied Bioinformatics II Oral Presentations - Hathaway 223
Ecology/Zoology/Botany II Oral Presentations - Bradford 122A
Geology Oral Presentations - Hathaway 120
Physics/Astronomy II Oral Presentations - Hathaway 123
4:00 – 4:30 Q&A chats with PM oral presenters + Section Meetings
 
*No Oral Presentations in this Section
** No Posters in this Section

Thank you to our Sponsors and Partners

 

Thank you NASA-KY for sponsoring Junior Academy Registration

Thank you to our partners at KSU

KSU College of Agriculture, Health Sciences, and Natural Resources, KSU Land Grant Programs, KSU Aquaculture Center, KSU Career Center, KSU Admissions Office, KSU Dual-Credit Program, KSU Cooperative Extension, KSU Catering

 

---

 

---

 

Visit Our Event Exhibitors

University of Kentucky - Kentucky Geological Survey
The Kentucky Geological Survey is a state supported research center and public resource within the University of Kentucky. Our mission is to support sustainable prosperity of the Commonwealth, the vitality of its flagship university, and the welfare of its people. We do this by conducting research and providing unbiased information about geologic resources, environmental issues, and natural hazards affecting Kentucky.      
https://www.uky.edu/KGS/


Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University Department of Earth, Environmental, & Atmospheric Sciences                                                                                                      
https://www.wku.edu/eeas/


Kentucky Association for Environmental Education


University of Louisville-Integrated Programs in Biomedical Sciences
The Integrated Programs in Biomedical Sciences (IPIBS) is a gateway for graduate students interested in biomedical research as a career choice. The University of Louisville offers a supportive academic environment in a friendly, vibrant city and a financial assistance package consisting of an annual stipend of $33,000, health insurance and full tuition coverage. Once a student passes their Qualifying Exam and advances to Doctoral Candidacy, the stipend amount increases to $35,000. Graduate students enter the IPIBS program through one of the five basic biomedical discipline-based PhD programs at the School of Medicine. IPIBS awards fellowships for students in the first two years in the program, after which support is maintained through the Departments.                                                                                                     
https://louisville.edu/medicine/ipibs

University of Kentucky, College of Medicine, Office of Biomedical Education
The Office of Biomedical Education is the entry point for PhD students of the six basic science departments in the College of Medicine. The Office also supports Master's in Medical Sciences students as well as offering a robust calendar of professional development opportunities and connecting students to various types of support.
https://medicine.uky.edu/sites/graduate

Agricultural and Medical Biotechnology program at the University of Kentucky
The Agricultural and Medical Biotechnology program is a life sciences degree for students who wish to pursue opportunities in biotechnology, human health, animal health, agricultural productivity, and environmental sustainability.     
https://abt.ca.uky.edu/

Peace Corps
Peace Corps Volunteers put their purpose, passion, and skills to work in partnership with host communities in nearly 60 countries. Volunteers live and work side-by-side with community members to partner on locally prioritized projects in the areas of education, health, environment, agriculture, community economic development, and youth development.                                                                                                     
peacecorps.gov

KY INBRE
The KY INBRE is a collaborative network of biomedical researchers in state-supported and independent institutions of higher education within Kentucky and is funded through a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS).                                                                                
https://www.kyinbre.org


Kentucky Personnel Cabinet

Kentucky State University College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources

 

Thank you to our Thorobred Local Arrangements Team at Kentucky University!
Noel Novelo, Andy Ong, Jeffrey Warner, Sonia Sanders



Thank you to KAS Officers
President Noel Novelo
President - Elect LiLi Zyzak
Vice President Jessica Moon
Past President Julie Reizner

Thank you to our Program Coordinator and Kentucky Junior Academy Director
Melony Stambaugh

Thank you to Our 2024 Section Leaders & Session Chairs

Aerospace Research in Kentucky
Jacob Owen, NASA-KY

Agricultural Sciences             
Theoneste Nzaramyimana, Chair, Kentucky State University       
Norm Strobel, Secretary, KCTCS
                   
Anthropology and Sociology    
Daniel Joseph, Chair, Eastern Kentucky University      
Timothy Hare, Secretary, Morehead State University
    
Applied Bioinformatics                     
Jerzy Jaromczyk, University of Kentucky

Cellular and Molecular Biology    
Mahavir Singh, Chair, University of Louisville
Farrukh Aqil, Secretary,  University of Louisville

Chemistry: Analytical/ Physical 
Matthew Nee, Chair, Western Kentucky University
Laura Walther, Secretary,  Asbury University

Chemistry: Organic / Inorganic    
Laura Rowe, Chair, Eastern Kentucky University

Computer and Information Sciences      
Neil Moore, Chair, University of Kentucky                    
Nathan Johnson, Secretary, Bellarmine University

Ecology                      
Jessica Moon, Chair, Murray State University
Marvin Ruffner, Secretary,  Asbury University

Engineering             
Minchul Shin, Chair,  Northern Kentucky University

Environmental Science                    
John Starnes, Chair, KCTCS
                                      
Geography                
Buddhi Gyawali, Secretary,  Kentucky State University

Geology  
Dan Phelps, Chair, Kentucky Paleontological Society
Walter Borowski, Secretary,  Eastern Kentucky University

Health Sciences    
Frederick Bebe, Chair, Kentucky State University
Jennifer Clark, Secretary,  Morehead State University

Mathematics           
Jena Hinds, Chair, University of Kentucky
Joshua Qualls, Secretary,  Morehead State University

Microbiology           
Vacant  

Physics and Astronomy                    
Marilyn Akins, Chair,  KCTCS
John Waite, Secretary, Morehead State University

Physiology and Biochemistry        
Cecilia Ramilo, Chair, KCTCS
Sharon Wilson, Secretary,  KCTCS

Psychology    
Matthew Shake, Chair, Western Kentucky University         
Kinsey Bryant-Lees,  Secretary, Northern Kentucky University

Science Education    
Wilson Gonzalez-Espada, Chair, Morehead State University                          
Matt Downen, Secretary,  Centre College

Zoology / Botany    
David  Eisenhour, Chair, Morehead State University
Jeremy Gibson, Secretary  Kentucky Wesleyan University

 
Thank you Melissa Dougherty for Cover Design & Printed Program Layout

2024 KAS Annual Meeting Online Program

New This Year:
Q&A Chats after Oral Presentations
We encourage you to talk with colleagues & presenters after each block of talks in your Section. We’ll have snacks set out in Hathaway 212 and in the Bradford lobby, after morning and afternoon sessions, so that you can chat informally. Find out more about your colleagues’ research, and tell people more about your own research. This is your chance to follow up on something you learned, and ask about something that sparked your interest! Graduate students will be your hosts for these chats and will make announcements in the sessions.

New This Year: Participatory Postering
When you walk into a poster session, do you not know where to start?  Let us help!  When you enter the ballroom, we’re asking you to draw a couple numbers and visit those posters. Talk to presenters and ask them about their research.  What are you curious to know more about? Ask a friendly question, or offer an idea. Science is a community process and advances with feedback & input from fellow scientists!



 Junior Academy

We welcome the Kentucky Junior Academy of Science -- middle and high school students have opportunities over these two days to interact with undergraduates, graduates, and faculty members.  I encourage you to use this opportunity to guide the next generation of scientists towards their future scientific ventures.  Please help support these budding scientists and welcome them to KAS and KSU!
 
Melony Stambaugh
Director, Kentucky Junior Academy of Science
Program Coordinator, Kentucky Academy of Science



KAS Code of Conduct
The Kentucky Academy of Science Annual Meeting is an interdisciplinary professional environment that cultivates scientific discovery and understanding.
Thank you for contributing to our advancement of science by behaving professionally, respectfully and collegially at all times. If you witness inappropriate behavior please notify a KAS staff person or officer.

KAS has adopted a Code of Ethics, which applies to all attendees, speakers, exhibitors, staff, and volunteers at any KAS-sponsored meeting, event, and workshop.
 

---

Special Accommodations
We are doing our best to plan and host an Inclusive Scientific Meeting. KAS is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and accessibility. If you have a suggestion or concern please share it with a KAS staff person or officer.

Gender Neutral restrooms are available in the Academic Services Building.
Mothers' Room is available in Hathaway 116.
A Practice Room is available for presenters in Hathaway 126.

Parents and other Guests - If you are not registered for the KAS meeting, we welcome you to make yourself comfortable in the food court/ bookstore area on the 2nd floor of the Student Center. You are also welcome to attend the Plenary Session on Friday at 4:15 pm which is open to the community.


Land Acknowledgment
We are gathering on land previously inhabited by the Shawnee, Osage and Cherokee people. For more information about the indigenous peoples of North America go to https://native-land.ca/
As a public historically Black, 1890 land-grant university committed to inclusive excellence, KSU proudly addresses the needs of diverse communities, including indigenous communities. This commitment is rooted in our history—from our modest beginnings as a normal school training African American teachers to our expansion as a land-grant institution with a mission under the Morrill Act to educate students barred from traditional educational opportunities. We acknowledge that indigenous peoples, including the Shawnee, Osage, and Cherokee, stewarded for generations the land upon which KSU sits. As a land-grant institution, we honor and respect the enduring relationship between these communities and the land. KSU remains steadfast in its commitment to responsibly stewarding the land and actively supporting narratives that honor indigenous and minority voices throughout our region’s past and present.


Campus Map & Floor Plans

KSU campus map (parking is highlighted in green)
Hathaway Hall floor plan
Student Center floor plan
 

Parking

Signs will direct you from the main entrance to KSU's campus.
Aerial photo of parking areas
Parking map shows parking areas in green
Friday: Please park in the Exum lot, at the entrance to campus, or the lot below Academic Services Building. Signs will direct you from the main entrance to KSU's campus.
Saturday: Please park in the Exum lot, at the entrance to campus, or either lot above or below the Academic Services Building.
From the farther Exum lot it's approximately a 10 minute walk to the Student Center. If you would like assistance, Golf Cart shuttles will be available throughout the day.

Connecting to KSU Wireless
SSID: KAS / Password: Welcome2KSU!  
Go into your device settings, then to Wi-Fi, and select the KAS network, and then enter the password to connect.



Food
Coffee & light breakfast will be available both days.
If you ordered a box lunch, it will be available to pick up Friday or Saturday from 11:45 -1pm on the 1st floor of the Student Union. Box lunches will be delivered to Friday workshops
The Student Center 2nd floor Food Court  (+coffee shop) is open Friday for lunch, but not Saturday.
The Cafeteria is on the 2nd floor of the Student Center.
The Reception Friday evening event features substantial hors d'oeuvres.
The Saturday Business Meeting includes Lunch.
 

---

Photo contest
Share your creativity in the Annual Meeting photo contest!
With a phone in every pocket, we’re all photographers now! Please help us share the excitement and  action during the 2024 KAS Annual Meeting and let your creativity shine by sharing your conference photos to social media.
You’ll win $50 if your photo is judged as the meeting’s best! You can join the contest by posting photos on Facebook,  X-Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag  #KASMeeting2024 . Post them by 8 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3.
 
You’ll find KAS on X-Twitter with the handle @Kyscientists. On Instagram, we’re  kentuckyscience. Find us on Facebook under: Kentucky Academy of Science.
 

Friday, November 1, 2024  9:15am - 10:45am

AM Tour - KSU Aquaculture

Meet outside Student Center

You'll see fish, shrimp, crayfish and talk with researchers in KSU's Aquaculture program. This facility is very close to the main campus but parking is limited- we'll provide vans. The tour is 90 minutes.

Friday, November 1, 2024  12:00pm - 1:00pm

Workshop - Kentucky EPSCoR Funding Programs and Funding Opportunities

Bradford 122A

Organizer: Cathleen Webb

If you RSVP'd for this workshop and ordered a box lunch, we'll deliver your lunch into the room for you!

This workshop is targeted for faculty and student researchers in Kentucky interested in EPSCoR opportunities.  EPSCoR (Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) is a program that allocates extra research funding from various federal research agencies to chronically underfunded states like Kentucky.  The overarching mission of EPSCoR mission to enhance research competitiveness by strengthening science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) capacity and capability through investments in people, research, and infrastructure.
EPSCoR programs in Kentucky, where researchers can seek this kind of allocated federal funding, include the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the U.S. Departments of Energy (DoE), Agriculture (USDA) and Defense (DoD). The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has a parallel program in Kentucky funding researchers, the Kentucky Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network (KBRIN).
In 2024, Kentucky received a NSF EPSCoR Track 1 ($24M), the NSF E-RISE ($7M), and the NIH KBRIN ($20M). Seed funding opportunities from the Track 1 and KBRIN awards will be highlighted.
How Kentucky responded to and continues to meet the unique challenges posed by the re-envisioning of NSF EPSCoR will also be discussed.  An update for Vision 2030, Kentucky's Science & Technology Plan, completed in 2023, a core requirement for NSF EPSCoR, will be provided.  
http://kynsfepscor.uky.edu/ky-epscor/

Friday, November 1, 2024  12:00pm - 1:00pm

Workshop - Diverse Identities in STEM History

Bradford 101

Organizer: Matt Downen

If you RSVP'd for this workshop and ordered a box lunch, we'll deliver your lunch into the room for you!

Better diversity leads to better science and more inclusive and equitable learning environments. This proposed workshop is directly related to one of KAS's values, "inclusion of women and diverse underrepresented minority groups in science." This active, discussion-based workshop explores a timeline of historical events and figures in STEM to better understand visibility, privilege, and intersectionality and provide a model for how STEM teachers can incorporate diverse identities into their classrooms. Participants are put into groups and given a set of 40 cards. Each card has a description of a historical figure or event (representing diverse identities and experiences) without any dates listed. Participants are instructed to organize the cards chronologically, using their own knowledge of history and points of reference in their own lives. Once all the groups have their cards arranged or 30 minutes have passed, the correct timeline is provided followed by a debriefing and discussion period. A time of reflection about what assumptions, what emotions, and what actions you might take next follow. An actionable takeaway is a starting point to make diverse identities, themes, and content visible in curriculum. The resources used in this workshop have been adapted and modified from a lesson plan by GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network), an American organization founded by teachers. The length of the workshop is one hour.

Friday, November 1, 2024  12:00pm - 1:00pm

Workshop: Is Graduate School Right for Me?

Hathaway 130

Organizer: Hollie Swanson

Organizer: Nathan Vanderford

If you RSVP'd for this workshop and ordered a box lunch, we'll deliver your lunch into the room for you!

Undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing careers in biomedical sciences have many questions about preparing for these careers and how graduate school may fit into their plans.  Should I consider pursing a Master's or Doctoral level degree? What career options would a Doctoral degree prepare me for?  What is a typical graduate student experience in a PhD Biomedical Sciences program like?  Would I like it?  How can I prepare a highly competitive application for graduate school?  This session is designed to address these questions and help undergraduate students plan for their next career steps.  The first speaker will introduce the many different types of careers in academics, industry and government that are currently available and projected to be in high demand in the future.  The  second two speakers will discuss their graduate school experience from the perspective of an early career and a more advanced graduate student.  Our final speaker will outline the graduate school application process and steps that prospective graduate student applicants can take to ensure their success.  The session will conclude with a question-and-answer segment to allow audience members to engage with the speakers, exchange ideas about their experiences and questions, and address how they may handle some of their concerns.

Friday, November 1, 2024  2:00pm - 4:00pm

Special Session: Aerospace Research in Kentucky

Hathaway 130

Organizer: Jacob Owen

This is a special session hosted by the Kentucky Space Grant Consortium and NASA Kentucky EPSCoR Programs (NASA KY). 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) is a diverse group of 29 affiliate members, including 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, faculty and pre-college outreach. The national Space Grant network includes over 1,000 affiliates from universities, colleges, industry, museums, science centers, state and local agencies. The National Space Grant College & Fellowship Program was initiated by Congress in 1987 in response to the need to help maintain America's pre-eminence in aerospace science and technology.

The NASA Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) 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.

Friday, November 1, 2024  2:15pm - 3:45am

PM Tour - KSU Aquaculture

Meet outside Student Center

You'll see fish, shrimp, crayfish and talk with researchers in KSU's Aquaculture program. This facility is very close to the main campus but parking is limited- we'll provide vans. The tour is 90 minutes.

Friday, November 1, 2024  4:15pm - 5:45pm

Plenary - Spotlight on STEM Career Paths

Bradford 122

Panel Moderator: LiLi Zyzak

Kurt Thaxton
More than your two scents worth:  using your nose and olfactometry to make sense of mass spectral data

Kurt Thaxton is an International Product Manager for GERSTEL, a German manufacturer of thermal desorption, pyrolysis, and other means of sample preparation and sample introduction for GC- and LC-MS.  For over twenty years, Kurt has been a user of thermal desorption and pyrolysis as a research scientist at International Paper and later as a Product Specialist for Varian Inc.  Later Kurt became involved in both the commercial and technical aspects of these techniques at Markes International and now GERSTEL.
Kurt also serves actively in different capacities at SAE, ASTM, and ISO.  Kurt has an M.S. in Analytical Chemistry form The Ohio State University where he focused on using mass spectrometry to solve analytical problems; MS remains a central interest and focus of Kurt's work today.




Women in Science Panel
Moderated by Dr. LiLi Zyzak, KAS President-Elect

Jessica Carlotti, MS is a Chemist at the National Forensic Chemistry Center with the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA). She conducts and evaluates analytical methods and procedures to enforce and protect food and drug products consumed by the public. Specifically, she uses ion chromatography and HPLC-UV to determine tampering and/or economic adulteration of products. 

Jessica Bone is a second-year PhD student in Dr. Kenneth Graham's chemistry lab at the University of Kentucky. Work thus far has involved using electrochemistry to investigate the stability of semiconducting polymers on modified gold electrodes. The goal is to understand degradation reactions at the polymer/electrode interface and how they affect the stability of organic electrochemical transistors. 




Krista Riggins, MS is the Lab Manager for the EKU Chemistry Department. She coordinates and assists in General, Organic, and Non-major Chemistry labs. She also oversees all purchases for the department of Chemistry along with being part of the budget committee. 

Lucy Jones, BS is a Laboratory Technician II at  Gravity Diagnostics. She oversees daily maintenance on LC-MS, and prepares urine samples for alcohol and/or barbiturate confirmation.
 

Friday, November 1, 2024  5:45pm - 8:00pm

STEM Networking Reception

Cooperative Extension 238

Continue the conversations about careers in STEM with fellow scientists over food & beverage.
The Cooperative Extension building is a short stroll down the hill from Bradford Hall.
 

Saturday, November 2, 2024  9:30am - 12:00pm

Scientists' Tour of the State Capitol

Meet outside Student Center

Science Policy Specialist: Madison Flory

See the rooms where it happens!  KAS Science Policy Specialist Madison Flory will share tips and tools that you can use to help give the science community a strong voice at the State Capitol and everywhere else policy decisions are made. Madison will also review top issues under consideration in Frankfort and offer a brief preview of the Kentucky General Assembly's 2025 legislative session. Participants will carpool the short distance to the Capitol.