Scientist Network for Advancing Policy

This year, we also saw real momentum for non‑animal, human‑relevant science. SAO’s Gabby Vidaurre, PhD gave a standout Postdoc Talk on Research Modernization NOW, and AI‑driven breakthroughs—from lung‑ultrasound to exposome analytics—took center stage.

#scipol #sciencepolicy #NAMs #AI

A graphic featuring logos and images from the AAAS 2026 annual meeting and its theme, 'Science @ Scale.' The text reads: "SAO in action. Highlights from the 2026 AAAS annual meeting." On the right, silhouettes of a photo of SAO Director Emily Trunnell, PhD and Research Associate Gabby Vidaurre, PhD.

✨ #AAASmtg Highlights! ✨

The 2026 @aaas.org Science @ Scale theme brought big ideas from across the research landscape. From climate & public health to biomedical innovation, it was inspiring to step outside our orbit—and even convert a few particle physicists into #organonchip fans.

🔗 below 👇

SAO in Action: Highlights from the 2026 AAAS Annual Meeting In the science policy space, AAAS is the annual meeting—the who's who of where U.S.

Read the full recap, featuring:
🎓 @snapcoalition.bsky.social
🕵️‍♀️ @elisabethbik.bsky.social
👩‍💻 @anima-anandkumar.bsky.social, @caltech.edu
🧪 and researchers from @jhucaat.bsky.social, @asuhealthsolutions.bsky.social, @tue.nl, & @asumedicine.bsky.social

⬇️
www.linkedin.com/pulse/sao-ac...

#AAAS2026

“NIH” put out a memo about how they are making a “concerted effort” to support Early Stage Investigators (ESI). In the data presented, there is a decrease in funding rates from 26.1% in ‘24 to 18.9% in ‘25. Median age of ESIs stayed flat at 40.

grants.nih.gov/news-events/...

Please take a moment to read this incredible OpEd by @jpflores.rbind.io in @hechingerreport.org. Here JP highlights why we need more science in more places.

My undergrad research experience at @boisestate.bsky.social was pivotal for getting where I am today, and more people need access to it!

OPINION: Pathways for future scientists are becoming scarce, threatening a strong and innovative workforce When I was 17, I didn’t know a single scientist. I did not grow up around labs, research universities or people who talked about things like “STEM pathways.” The only reason I am a scientist today is because mentors leading support programs invested in me early, before I knew how to find science on my own. Today, those are the very programs being dismantled. Doors that opened for me and my colleagues are now being quietly shut for others. Federal officials recently confirmed that research funding related to diversity, equity and inclusion at the National Institutes of Health will not be renewed, signaling a broader retreat from efforts designed to widen the pathway to participation in science.

OPINION: Pathways for future scientists are becoming scarce, threatening a strong and innovative workforce

When I was 17, I didn’t know a single scientist. I did not grow up around labs, research universities or people who talked about things like “STEM pathways.” The only reason I am a scientist…

Check out my latest piece in @hechingerreport.org !

First of many as an OpEd Project Public Voices Fellow

So happy to welcome @snapcoalition.bsky.social member @meggarcia5.bsky.social to Bluesky!

You can find Megan and many other SNAPpers and their #SciPol orgs here:

go.bsky.app/HjpXQp5

What a remarkable and inspirational group of scientists!

Notre Dame's SPI members Connor Schmidt, @disha-patel3.bsky.social, Mallory Sands, @eselland.bsky.social, and Ijeoma Asilebo at the 2026 #AAASmtg!

I always find the fellow night owls! So many interesting conversations @AAASmtg and friendships cemented. Talking #SciComm and #SciPolicy. #AAASmtg

@snapcoalition.bsky.social memeber @brycewedig.bsky.social described his modeling process for dark matter subhalos in an expertly phrased story that any person could understand!

Truly incredible example of #scicomm skills.

Remarkable work responding to judge questions, as well.

#AAASmtg #AAAS2026

@snapcoalition.bsky.social is the most wonderful and inspirational group of graduate students and we are so beyond grateful to be a part of the SNAP community! #AAASmtg

@snapcoalition.bsky.social

So happy to welcome @snapcoalition.bsky.social member @erin-cullinane.bsky.social to Bluesky!

You can find Erin and many other SNAPpers and their #SciPol orgs here

go.bsky.app/HjpXQp5

One of my goals for @AAASmtg was to meet Mirzayan #SciPol fellows/alum. Talked late into the wee hours with Priyanka.

@snapcoalition.bsky.social member Alex Byrne presenting his #chemistry work on "Analyzing sensitivity of molecular cloud chemistry to gas phase kinetics" at #AAASmtg

#AAAS2026

Excellent presentation by @snapcoalition.bsky.social member @bdavisbio.bsky.social discussing how "Delayed lagging strand synthesis drives asymmetric histone incorporation" at #AAASmtg

#AAAS2026

I’m working the booth tomorrow morning from 9-11 am. Come by and say hi! 👋

#AAASmtg #EarlyCareerResearchers

Thanks for sharing all of this! @snapcoalition.bsky.social is so excited for our upcoming initiatives!

🫰snaps🫰for @snapcoalition.bsky.social, the first group of grad students to join us on the plenary stage in almost 180 years!

Homepage 2026 AAAS Annual Meeting

Lots going on at the @aaas.org annual meeting in Phoenix today!
I was interviewed by Jessica Hubbard on the Sci-Mic stage, met several people in the Expo Hall, and had a pre-panel discussion with my fellow panelists for our upcoming session: starting in an hour.
#AAASmtg
meetings.aaas.org

Can’t be at the AAAS Annual Meeting this year? Tune live to the plenary with @snapcoalition.bsky.social!

www.youtube.com/live/0m_RvWn...

✨ Film: A Century After Nanook and the Scaling of Inuit Resilience and Knowledge
✨ AAAS Cross-disciplinary Mentorship & Speed Networking Session
✨ Panel discussion Indigenizing Conservation Science and Restoration: Collaborative Perspectives from Brazil
✨ Plenary ft. @snapcoalition.bsky.social

Excited for today's plenary woth @jpflores.rbind.io @mjarnett.bsky.social @isakoditomassi.bsky.social @erinmorrow.bsky.social and Alex Rich!

#AAASmtg

Great first day at the @aaas.org annual meeting yesterday! Exciting to see @erinmorrow.bsky.social, Dana Center Initiative trainee from UCLA/CDU, as part of this plenary lecture. #neurosociety #AAASmtg

Do you like swag and care about #EarlyCareerResearchers in #scipol and #scicomm? Of course you do.

Drop by Booth 605 at #AAASmtg today to speak with SNAPpers about what we do and how you can help!

And come see our plenary panel today @ 1 p.m.!

#AAAS2026

Thanks to @sarahrovito.bsky.social you can subscribe to a feed of Bluesky posts from the meeting: bsky.app/profile/did:...

SNAPper Shreya Venkatesh shared info at the ESEP Townhall at #AAAS2026 about the exciting things SNAP is doing here!

Come join us!

#AAASmtg #ECRs #SciPol