HU to Host Annual Virginia Academy of Science Meeting

Hampton, VA - Hampton University will host the 86th Annual Virginia Academy of Science (VAS) meeting and the 67th Annual Virginia Junior Academy of Science (VJAS) meeting on May 20-23.

The conference will feature three keynote speakers including Hampton University President Dr. William R. Harvey, who will discuss the new Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute (HUPTI) at the opening general session, May 20. HUPTI is scheduled to open to patients in 2010. It will be the largest proton therapy institute in the world and one of seven proton treatment facilities in the nation.

Dr. Roger Crouch, astronaut, lead scientist and senior scientist for numerous NASA initiatives, will interact with VJAS students and sponsors during the day at HU and will also address an audience at the Virginia Air and Space Center (VASC) in Hampton on May 21. Crouch had the opportunity to travel into space on two different occasions. Currently, retired from NASA and MIT, he delivers inspirational and informative lectures to a broad range of audiences. Crouch will appear at the conference courtesy of the VASC and NASA.

On May 22, Dr. M. Patrick McCormick, HU professor and co-director of the Center for Atmospheric Sciences, will present the Negus Memorial Lecture to the VAS. McCormick, 2007 Virginia Scientist of the Year, will highlight many of his findings from global characterization of aerosols, clouds, ozone and other atmospheric species during his 44 years of research on the atmosphere using various satellite instruments.

Dr. Donald Whitney, associate professor of physics at HU and past president of VAS, is elated about the chance for HU to host the VAS/VJAS annual meeting.

"I am excited about the opportunity for HU to showcase our research, facilities and the professionalism of the faculty in the sciences," stated Whitney. "It is an honor to be able to host the conference for a second time."

VAS was established in 1923 to provide an environment for people and organizations interested in the sciences to discuss and present papers on scientific subjects. The VJAS, founded in 1941, caters to junior and senior high school students, presenting students with over $75,000 in grants, scholarships and awards annually. HU campus residence halls will be filled with students attending the meeting.

For more information about the conference including registration materials go to http://www.vacadsci.org.

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