NSF EPSCoR National Conference Recap

NSF EPSCoR’s 28^th National Conference in Omaha, Nebraska took place October 13-16, 2024. The conference theme, Connect & Collaborate to Keep Science Flowing, rang true as 500 attendees across 28 EPSCoR jurisdictions came together to show research while learning and connecting with each other.

Posters developed and presented by undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and early career researchers working on NSF EPSCoR projects were showcased at the conference. South Dakota had a strong representation with serving as speakers and panelists at the conference.

The conference provided a wonderful range of speakers and fantastic representation from the National Science Foundation. NSF Director, Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan, highlighted NSF EPSCoR’s longstanding commitment to developing inclusive research communities nationwide with driving economic growth. Dr. Sandra Richardson, who is the NSF Section Head for the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) in the Office of Integrative Activities (OIA) provided the conference wrap-up themed “e pluribus unum.”

Pictures of speakers (above) are from the national conference website.

Kinchel Doerner, Director of SD EPSCoR stated, “The EPSCoR national meeting was a great exchange of ideas with how to make our state stronger in developing a robust research infrastructure.  The national office staff with NSF was highly engaged with providing an inspiring address from the NSF Director, Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan.”

This was a magnificent conference with engaging speakers and fantastic hosts from Nebraska EPSCoR that put this conference together… WOW. Thank you to the National Science Foundation and EPSCoR jurisdictions for your contributions.