From hydrogen power and hypersonics to gene editing: CU faculty to share breakthroughs at AAAS conference
Can we harvest hydrogen from Earth to power our houses and cars? Can we use RNA to design better cancer treatments? How can Americans combat misinformation online in the lead-up to the 2024 elections?
These are just a few questions ñ researchers seek to answer at the annual meeting in Denver from Feb. 15-17.
Founded in 1848, AAAS is the world’s largest multi-disciplinary science society. ñ is a sponsor of this year’s event and will celebrate scientific achievements from across campus during the three-day conference.
This year’s meeting, which has the theme of “Toward Science Without Walls,” will explore a wide range of global challenges, from infectious diseases to climate change and artificial intelligence, through a series of discussions and workshops. Attendees will also learn about how researchers and others can address these existential challenges through new medicine and clean energy.
Throughout the week, attendees will participate in panels and sessions featuring top scientists from around the world—including ñ.
“The breadth of disciplines and depth of expertise represented at this conference make AAAS an ideal setting to showcase the vibrant research community at ñ,” said Massimo Ruzzene, vice chancellor for research and innovation and dean of the institutes at ñ. “From space and climate to biosciences and quantum, the conference will help underscore how ñ research is addressing society’s most pressing challenges.”
At this year's conference, an international of Indigenous and western researchers, including ñ archaeologist William Taylor, will receive this year’s prestigious .The award, which comes with a $25,000 prize, is given every year to an outstanding paper published in the journal “Science.”The team is recognized for its 2023 study, “Early Dispersal of Domestic Horses in the Great Plains and Northern Rockies.”
Learn more about talks from ñ researchers.
Hisham Ali
Assistant Professor,Aerospace Mechanics Research Center
"Intersection of Air and Space: Hypersonics and Plasmas for Earth and Beyond"
Thomas Cech
Distinguished Professor, Department of Biochemistry; Nobel Prize laureate
"RNA: A Catalyst for Public Engagement With Science"
Edward Chuong
Assistant Professor, Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology and BioFrontiers Institute
"Philanthropy Launchpad: Elevating a Research Career With Foundation Support"
Albert Kim
Associate Professor, Institute of Cognitive Science
"The Promises and Pitfalls of Large Language Models for Science and Society"
Associate Professor, Law School
"AI, Its Human Rights Impacts, and the Law"
Anja Lange
Director, Herbst Program for Engineering, Ethics and Society
"The AD-X2 Controversy: Documentary Film Screening and Discussion on Integrity in Science"
David Malaspina
Assistant Professor,Laboratory of Atmospheric and Space Physics
"Cross-Border Diffusion: International Collaboration in Space Plasma Physics"
James Martin
Professor, Department ofComputer Science and Institute of Cognitive Science
"Large Language Models Learn Everything and The Kitchen Sink and Maybe Too Much"
Beth Osnes
Professor,Department of Theatre & Dance and Department of Environmental Studies
"Engaging Environmental Studies Students to Communicate Equitably and Sustainably"
Associate Scientist, Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences
"Trending Topics Press Lunch with Experts—Water Management"
Professor, College of Arts and Sciences
"The Role of Scientific Evidence in the Global Battle of Narratives"
Professor, Department ofSociology, CU Denver
"The Cultural Logic of Vaccine Refusal"
Alexis Templeton
Professor,Department of Geological Sciences
" Hunt for Natural Hydrogen Heats Up"
Leaf Van Boven
Professor, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience
"What Science Has Learned ñ Motivating Environmental Action"