**Section Chair and Vice Chair terms begin June 1, 2025.
Chair: Chris Sedlacek
Vice Chair: TBA
Section Email: agriculture@indianaacademyofscience.org
The mission of the Anthropology Section of the Indiana Academy of Science is to actively promote the completion and dissemination of professional anthropological research by anthropologists working in or based in the State of Indiana. Anthropology in America is a four-field discipline, combining sociocultural anthropology, linguistics, archaeology, and biological anthropology to form a multifaceted science that describes and explains the human condition through time.
Chair: Amandine Eriksen
Vice Chair: Lilly Bucher
Section Email: anthropology@indianaacademyofscience.org
The Biochemistry & Physiology Section of the Indiana Academy of Science advocates for advancing the study of life processes at the molecular and physiological levels. We are dedicated to promoting scientific understanding, fostering a strong community of researchers, supporting education at all levels, and encouraging the exchange of expertise among members and the wider scientific community. Our mission includes raising awareness of the vital role that biochemistry and physiology play in addressing pressing societal challenges and improving human and environmental health.
Chair: TBA
Vice Chair: Hisako Masuda
Section Email: biochemistryphysiology@indianaacademyofscience.org
The objectives of the Botany Section of the Indiana Academy of Science are to promote research and the dissemination of information about plants, fungi, and related organisms; to encourage communication and cooperation among Indiana and regional botanists, mycologists, and plant pathologists; to encourage investigations and discussions to further our knowledge of these organisms and their systems and interactions; and to advance our understanding of their role in the life sciences.
Chair: Darrin Rubino
Vice Chair: Phillip Villani
Section Email: botany@indianaacademyofscience.org
The mission of the Cell Biology Section of the Indiana Academy of Science is to mentor the next generation of Indiana scientists by promoting research in cell biology. Cells, from simple unicellular organisms to complex multicellular ones, are the basic structural and functional units of life. By studying how cells grow, divide, communicate, and differentiate, we uncover the fundamental mechanisms of all life. Because cell biology is inherently multidisciplinary, we encourage innovative collaborations that integrate biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, physiology, and other fields, as well as bioinformatics and biophysics, to address complex cell biological questions. We also strive to foster curiosity and excellence in young scientists through mentorship and career development opportunities. Through these efforts, we aim to create an inclusive and collaborative scientific community in Indiana that supports both groundbreaking research and develops future leaders in the field of cell biology.
Chair: Takuya Akiyama
Vice Chair: Kris Schwab
Section Email: cellbiology@indianaacademyofscience.org
The mission of the Chemistry Section of the Indiana Academy of Science is to promote research and education in all fields of chemistry, with particular emphasis being placed on providing a venue for both the formal and informal exchange of ideas and research results among chemists and chemistry students in Indiana.
Chair: Kamila Deavers
Vice Chair: Meden Isaac-Lam
Section Email: chemistry@indianaacademyofscience.org
The mission of the Computer Science Section of the Indiana Academy of Science is a) promote research and education in all fields of computer science, including topics such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Trustworthy AI, Large Language Models, etc. ; b) facilitate and encourage collaborative research in these areas, with providing a venue for exchanging ideas and research among computer scientists and students in Indiana.
Chair: Debanjali Banerjee
Vice Chair: TBA
Section Email: computerscience@indianaacademyofscience.org
The mission of the Conservation, Sustainability and Land Management Section of the Indiana Academy of Science is to a) facilitate collaborative conservation research, as well as supporting the extinction risk assessment of Indiana species, including contributions to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Endangered, Threatened and Rare Species list; b) connect sustainability leaders and advocates across Indiana institutions, to exchange successes and challenges, towards circularity and strengthening commitments to reducing global carbon emissions; c) promote partnerships between land stewards, the research community and government institutions, towards connectivity and climate change resilience, while working with other IAS sections in acknowledging, disseminating and incorporating the voices of Indiana’s indigenous communities as the original stewards of this land.
Chair: Jordan Marshall
Vice Chair: TBA
Section Email: conservation@indianaacademyofscience.org
The Earth Science Section of the Indiana Academy of Science seeks to expand the recognition of geosciences throughout Indiana, increase involvement of Earth Scientists in Academy activities, encourage service by Earth Scientists in public policy matters, enhance the learning of geology in public and private education, and advocate for the sustainable use of Earth Resources. Further, the Earth Science Section encourages interaction and collaboration among all Academy sections at the interface of science and society.
Chair: Ben Dattilo
Vice Chair: TBA
Section Email: earthscience@indianaacademyofscience.org
The mission of the Ecology Section of the Indiana Academy of Science is to promote studies of the biotic and abiotic ecological interactions of Indiana’s flora and fauna, provide a venue for the presentation of current research and the exchange of information and ideas, and to disseminate ecological information to public, private, and governing bodies. The IAS Ecology Section’s mission statement parallels that of the Ecological Society of America, but focuses on ecological science in Indiana. Our mission is to: – promote ecological science in Indiana by improving communication among Indiana ecologists; – raise the public’s level of awareness of the importance of ecological science to Indiana; – increase the resources available for the conduct of ecological science in Indiana; and – ensure the appropriate use of ecological science in environmental decision making in Indiana by enhancing communication between the ecological community and policy-makers.
Chair: TBA
Vice Chair: Matt Harmon
Section Email: ecology@indianaacademyofscience.org
The Engineering Section of the Indiana Academy of Science advances innovation that strengthens our region and beyond. Rooted in the Midwest’s proud tradition of industry and ingenuity, we pursue research across the full spectrum of engineering disciplines—Aeronautical, Agricultural, Biological, Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Environmental, Materials, and Mechanical. Our mission is to advance both theoretical and applied research that turns natural resources, energy, and technology into solutions for society’s most pressing challenges; to foster collaboration among universities, industry, and communities to accelerate discovery and real-world impact; and to empower a diverse community of investigators and students, preparing a skilled and creative workforce ready to lead the next generation of engineering breakthroughs.
Chair: Abi Nazari Giglou
Vice Chair: Yunting Yin
Section Email: engineering@indianaacademyofscience.org
The Environmental Science section of the Indiana Academy of Science seeks to promote research in diverse areas that support the biological, chemical, and physical integrity of the natural environment in Indiana. We seek to encourage communication between Indiana scientists and others conducting research in various disciplines that incorporate environmental quality, and we strive to promote excellence in education through science-based programs. Finally, we encourage the dissemination of research on environmental quality and public involvement with these issues.
Chair: Jia Xue
Vice Chair: TBA
Section Email: environmentalscience@indianaacademyofscience.org
The mission of the IAS Section on History of Science is to promote scholarly writing and research on the people, places, events, and organizations that have defined science, particularly in Indiana. The section seeks to explore and plan initiatives for incorporating History of Science content into conventional science education (K–12, undergraduate, and graduate levels), while promoting research among educators on the potential benefits of introducing History of Science as an adjunct to educational goals across science and mathematics. It also aims to promote and facilitate interaction among scientists in academia, industry, and other settings with professionals whose interests include history, cultural studies, and public policy. Finally, the section will explore the creation of resources for financial support and sustainability of these objectives within the Indiana Academy of Science and affiliated organizations.
Chair: Rex Bickers
Vice Chair: Jesse Hannan
Section Email: history@indianaacademyofscience.org
Chair: Armando Peña
Vice Chair: TBA
Section Email: healthsciences@indianaacademyofscience.org
The Mathematics Section of the Indiana Academy of Science is dedicated to advancing the understanding, communication, and application of mathematics in Indiana and beyond. We promote mathematical research and scholarship; foster collaboration among mathematicians, scientists, educators, and students; and support excellence in mathematics education at all levels. Through our activities, we seek to highlight the central role of mathematics in the sciences, encourage broad participation in mathematical inquiry, and strengthen the connections between mathematical innovation and real-world challenges.
Chair: Kevin Drury
Vice Chair: TBA
Section Email: mathematics@indianaacademyofscience.org
The mission of the Microbiology and Molecular section of the Indiana Academy of Sciences is to support the fundamental research of its members as well as to expand the knowledge and scope of the section’s researchers by encouraging feedback and discussions among one another when a particular aspect of research has not been fully examined. By encouraging student membership and meeting participation, we hope that the section will continue its excellence in biological research.
Chair: Elizabeth Delery
Vice Chair: Kyu Hong Cho
Section Email: microbiology@indianaacademyofscience.org
The mission of the Physics and Astronomy Section of the Indiana Academy of Science is to promote fundamental research and education in physics, astronomy, and astrophysics in Indiana, with a particular emphasis placed on fostering research performed by undergraduate and graduate students.
Chair: Horia Petrache
Vice Chair: Maarij Syed
Section Email: physicsastronomy@indianaacademyofscience.org
The mission of the Plant Systematics and Biodiversity Section of the Indiana Academy of Science is (1) to promote studies in plant taxonomy and systematics, (2) to foster knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of plant species, (3) to enhance an understanding of the ecology of plant species and plant communities, and (4) to champion conservation of plant biodiversity in the State and Midwest region.
Chair: Joanna Stebing
Vice Chair: Elizabeth Mabee
Section Email: plantsystematics@indianaacademyofscience.org
The objectives of the Science Education section are to disseminate information about new and/or innovative teaching methodologies and practices in science, to facilitate communication among science educators, and to improve the quality of science teaching and learning.
Chair: Rona Robinson-Hill
Vice Chair: Catherine Steding
Section Email: scienceeducation@indianaacademyofscience.org
The mission of the Zoology & Entomology section of the Indiana Academy of Science is to enhance knowledge related to both vertebrate and invertebrate animals, including insects and their arthropod relatives. Research interests of the membership are broad and include animal behavior and natural history, evolutionary and ecological studies of animals, and zoological and entomological systematics and taxonomy. Our section encourages both basic and advanced studies that may occur through field work, controlled experiments, and collections-based research to better understand Indiana’s animal diversity in a collaborative and supportive environment.
Chair: Glené Mynhardt
Vice Chair: Chris Wirth
Section Email: zoologyentomology@indianaacademyofscience.org
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