Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine

VASEM Executive Director, Nathaniel "Nat" Draper, M.Ed., had the opportunity to attend the Energy Tech 2025 conference on March 6th at the Science Museum of Virginia. This exciting event brought together industry leaders, innovators, and experts to explore the evolving landscape of energy technology. The conference featured insightful discussions on AI’s impact on energy, advancements in fusion technology, the importance of understanding thermal cycling, and groundbreaking startups poised to shape Virginia’s energy future. VASEM extends a big thank you to Simple Thread, Dominion Energy and the Dominion Energy Innovation Center for sponsoring such a fantastic event. A special shoutout to Justin Etheredge, Founder & CEO of Simple Thread, for leading an engaging discussion on AI’s transformative role in science, engineering, and technology. Learn more about the event here: https://lnkd.in/gxfJEDid #EnergyInnovation #AIinEnergy #VASEM #EnergyTech2025

Last night, Nathaniel "Nat" Draper, M.Ed., Executive Director of VASEM, attended the first AI Ready RVA event at the Dewey Gottwald Center at the Science Museum of Virginia. The event brought together a diverse group of local corporations, industry leaders, educators, and tech enthusiasts who are integrating AI into their daily processes. It was a fantastic opportunity to network and exchange ideas about the future of AI in our region. AI Ready RVA fosters a dynamic community where technology, academia, and business intersect—driving innovation and collaboration in artificial intelligence. We look forward to future discussions and partnerships that support Virginia’s leadership in AI and technology! #AIReadyRVA #ArtificialIntelligence #Networking #Innovation #VASEM

Last week, VASEM's President Jim Aylor and Executive Director Nathaniel "Nat" Draper, M.Ed. attended the grand opening of the new Virginia Tech Innovation Campus Alexandria, VA! The event featured an inspiring keynote from Dr. Regina Dugan, President and CEO of Wellcome Leap and a proud two-time Virginia Tech alumna, alongside government officials, university leaders, and other distinguished guests. As VASEM continues to foster conversations on emerging technologies, we are excited to host our Annual Summit, this year focused on Artificial Intelligence in Science, Engineering, and Medicine, on September 23-24. Looking forward to bringing together experts to discuss the opportunities and challenges AI presents across these critical fields. Thank you, Virginia Tech for creating a dynamic space for innovation, collaboration, and technological advancement! #Innovation #VirginiaTech #AI #STEM

On Friday, Feb. 28th VASEM Executive Director, Nathaniel "Nat" Draper, M.Ed. joined the Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) for a?"AI & Digital Transformation" Community of Interest hosted event, "AI State of the Union: Revolutionizing Technology and Business"?featuring a keynote address from industry expert Bill Whyman, Founder and Principal of Tech Dynamics. Bill described the AI revolution and shared actionable insights into practical use cases, ROI metrics and strategies to keep you ahead in this rapidly evolving landscape. ? Key Topics: ? - AI as the Growth Driver: The next platform powering innovation - Adoption Trends: The current and future AI landscape - The ROI Debate: Demystifying AI’s economic impact - Expert Insights: Predictions and answer to today’s most pressing questions

Join Greater Richmond Partnership and Dr. Frank Gupton, a distinguished member of the Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (VASEM) and CEO of the Medicines for All Institute (M4ALL) at Virginia Commonwealth University as the featured guest in the Alliance for Building Better Medicine’s upcoming webinar on February 18. Dr. Gupton’s groundbreaking work in pharmaceutical manufacturing is revolutionizing the industry by improving access to lifesaving medicines, reducing production costs, and minimizing waste. With over three decades of experience in chemical process development and commercialization, he continues to lead innovations that enhance global health. #VASEM #BetterMedicine #virginialeaders #PharmaceuticalInnovation #STEMLeadership

This morning, the Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine (VASEM) hosted a breakfast at the Virginia General Assembly Building, bringing together state lawmakers and university leaders to discuss how VASEM's members and programs can support efforts for moving Virginia forward. Events like this are critical for strengthening relationships between policymakers and the science, engineering and medical communities, ensuring that Virginia’s elected officials and their advisors know that they have access to the expertise they need to make informed decisions. By engaging directly with legislators and their staff members, VASEM continues to bridge the gap between research and policy, positioning itself as a trusted resource for science-driven solutions. A huge thank you to all who attended and contributed to these important conversations! Together, we are advancing Virginia’s leadership in science, technology, and policy. #VASEM #SciencePolicy #HigherEd #Innovation #PublicEngagement

VASEM's President, Jim Aylor and Executive Director, Nathaniel "Nat" Draper, M.Ed. recently had the opportunity to meet with key legislators during a hosted legislative reception. They were able to connect with members of the House and Senate, theses connections are essential for advancing VASEM’s mission and strengthening our influence in science, engineering, and medicine in Virginia. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to Laura Novey, Senior Vice President and the team at McGuireWoods Consulting -- Their expertise in advocacy and legislative affairs is invaluable to our efforts. Thank you, Laura, for your dedication and partnership during these important conversations! #VASEM #Leadership #LegislativeAdvocacy #PublicPolicy #VirginiaScience #STEM

Thank you, Texas Academy of Medicine, Engineering, Science & Technology (TAMEST), for inviting VASEM’s Executive Director, Nathaniel "Nat" Draper, M.Ed., to attend the TAMEST 2025 Annual Conference: Transformational Breakthroughs. Held February 4–6, 2025 in Irving, Texas, the conference explored disruptive breakthroughs in science and technology poised to reshape our world. Discussions covered advancements in materials science and nanotechnology, space exploration, regenerative and synthetic biology, energy transition, and more. Nat had the privilege of meeting Senator Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison TAMEST Honorary Chair, former U.S. Senator, and former U.S. Ambassador to NATO. Notably, Senator Hutchison invited U.S. Senator Mark Warner to Texas in 2013 to learn about TAMEST—a connection that ultimately helped establish VASEM! We also want to recognize Terrence Henry for his outstanding leadership as Executive Director of TAMEST. Thank you to the entire team at TAMEST for an incredible event!

VASEM is thrilled to welcome the sixth cohort of COVES Policy Fellows—our largest cohort yet, with 21 outstanding fellows! These STEM-H graduate students from Virginia universities will spend 12 weeks embedded in legislative offices, executive agencies, and nonprofits across the Commonwealth, gaining hands-on experience at the intersection of science and policy. The 2025 COVES Fellowship kicks off on May 27, 2025, providing fellows with opportunities to apply their expertise to real-world policymaking. Their work will culminate in a convocation event on August 29, 2025, where they’ll showcase their contributions to science policy in Virginia. A big congratulations to this year's fellows! This program is made possible through the generous support of participating universities, MITRE, Huntington Ingalls Industries International Shipbuilding Inc, and VIPC | Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation. #VASEM #COVESFellowship #SciencePolicy #STEM #PublicService #FutureLeaders