Embedded Files
Message from the Acting President
Dear Members of KSEA,
As I reflect on this past quarter, what stands out to me is not just the number of programs we’ve delivered, but the shift in how our community is showing up—more engaged, more connected, and more intentional about supporting one another.
At KATALYST 2026, I saw this firsthand. What struck me was not the structure of the program, but the quality of the conversations—students asking sharper questions, mentors being more candid about their own paths, and connections forming that extended well beyond a single event. That level of engagement doesn’t happen by accident. It reflects the strength of a community that is actively investing in its future.
That same energy is visible across KSEA. From national competitions to local chapter initiatives, we are seeing stronger participation and more meaningful collaboration across disciplines and career stages. These are not isolated successes—they are signals that the organization is becoming more connected and more effective as a whole.
We are also operating in a moment of rapid change. Advances in AI, data-driven research, and interdisciplinary work are reshaping expectations across industries. In this environment, the value of KSEA is not just in bringing people together, but in creating a network where knowledge, opportunity, and support move faster across boundaries.
Our priority is clear: we are building a community where talent is developed continuously—not just at the entry level, but across every stage of a member’s career.
This only works because of the people in this organization—those who mentor, who lead, and who consistently invest their time and experience into others. That is what differentiates KSEA, and that is what will continue to drive our impact forward.
Thank you for your continued commitment.
Acting President & Vice President 1, KSEA
Stella RH Kim
March 2026
Announcements
Announcements
National Events
National Events
Katalyst 2026 was held in Los Angeles, CA, on February 27 - March 1, 2026. Katalyst (Korean American Mentorship and Leadership Immersion for Young Scientists and Technologists) is a national conference designed to support the leadership development, mentorship, and career exploration of undergraduate students pursuing STEM. Katalyst provides students with the opportunity to learn from mentors across academia, healthcare, and industry, with the goal of cultivating future Korean American leaders in STEM. The 2026 conference welcomed approximately 100 participants, mentors, VIPs, and organizers, bringing together students from across the country and strengthening the growing KSEA network.
Obituary
Obituary
REgional Conference and APS
REgional Conference and APS
South-Western Regional Conference 2026
The Korean American Scientists and Engineers Association – Southern California Chapter (KSEA‑SC) hosted the 33rd annual South‑Western Regional Conference (SWRC) on January 31, 2026, at the Titan Student Union, California State University, Fullerton (CSUF). The annual conference continued its tradition of fostering professional exchange, interdisciplinary collaboration, and community building among scientists, engineers, students, and industry leaders across Southern California.
Western Gulf Coast Regional Conference (WGCRC) 2025
The 2025 KSEA Western Gulf Coast Regional Conference (WGCRC) was successfully held on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Baylor College of Medicine. This year’s conference offered a vibrant platform for Korean American scientists, engineers, and students across the Texas region to gather, exchange cutting-edge research ideas, and strengthen professional networks. More than 100 participants registered for the event, reflecting the growing interest and engagement within the community. From the moment attendees entered the venue, the atmosphere was filled with anticipation and intellectual energy, underscoring the thriving scientific landscape in the Western Gulf Coast region.
The 2025 Korean Society of Criminology in America (KOSCA) Annual Meeting was convened in Washington, D.C., in conjunction with American Society of Criminology (ASC) from November 12–15, with a full day of collaborative sessions on November 13. As an Affiliated Professional Society (APS) of the Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association (KSEA), KOSCA showcased another effort to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration among Korean-American scholars. This year’s annual meeting program blended cutting-edge technology themes, comparative justice issues, and emerging crime trends, reflecting KOSCA’s expanding scope and partnerships.
KASSTA Space Science & Technology Workshop 2025
Building on the success of the inaugural workshop held at Caltech in December 2024, the Korean-American AeroSpace Science and Technology Association (KASSTA), the Korean Space Science Society (KSSS), and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) jointly organized the second international workshop on Space Science and Technology in Jeju, Korea, from October 26 to 29, 2025. Strategically scheduled immediately before the 2025 KSSS Fall Academic Conference and its 43rd Regular General Meeting, the workshop was designed to maximize participation from Korean researchers and expand global engagement in key areas of aerospace science and technology—one of Korea’s 12 National Strategic Technologies. A total of 112 scientists and engineers from Korea, the United States, Canada, Germany, and Japan attended—up from approximately 70 participants in 2024—reflecting growing international interest in strengthening research partnerships and technological development.
지난 10월 18일 토요일, **LA 옥스포드 호텔(Oxford Hotel)**에서 “2025 SoCal K-Conference” 가 성황리에 개최되었습니다. 130여 명의 참석자들로 행사장은 만석, Full House 를 이뤘고, 뜨거운 관심과 참여 속에 성공적으로 막을 내렸습니다.
Chapter News
Chapter News
Nevada Chapter Launches with Inaugural Meeting 2026
The Nevada Chapter of the Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association (KSEA) held its Inaugural Meeting and 2026 Nevada Interdisciplinary Research Symposium on March 7, 2026, at the Science & Engineering Building (SEB) Auditorium at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). The event marked a historic milestone for the Korean-American science and engineering community in Nevada, bringing together 31participants (25 KSEA members), including faculty members, researchers, students, and community leaders.
The 45th Austin Chapter Seminar
The 45th KSEA Austin Chapter Seminar was held on February 13th, featuring an insightful and engaging talk by Dr. Sunghee Yoon from Erudio Bio titled “Beyond ChatGPT”. The seminar provided attendees with a thorough look into the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence, from core concepts to recent breakthroughs, and explored why AI progress has accelerated so dramatically in recent years.
Interdisciplinary Research Teams Competition 2026
On February 27, 2026, the KSEA Gainesville FL chapter and UF KSEA successfully hosted the Interdisciplinary Research Teams Competition. The event highlighted the academic rigor and collaborative spirit of both graduate and undergraduate researchers, providing a platform for nine diverse teams to present their latest findings across various scientific and engineering disciplines.
The First North Carolina Chapter Industry Connections Symposium
On February 7, 2026, the KSEA North Carolina Chapter successfully launched its inaugural NC RTP Industry Connections Symposium, bringing together 14 mentors and approximately 70 students and postdoctoral scholars for a full day of industry insight, mentorship, and community building.
New Jersey Chapter Year Networking Party
The New Year gives us a heartfelt sense of renewal and encourages us to look higher and further ahead. The KSEA New Jersey Chapter deeply values the gathering of generations—sharing the history of Korean-American Scientists and Engineers, from 1971 to the present. This year, we were especially grateful to welcome NJCU exchange students and Rutgers University students, bridging two communities and expanding our collective perspective. It was a wonderful way to begin the New Year. The food was excellent, the conversations were meaningful, and our shared story points toward a bright and promising future.
New York Metropolitan Chapter “Young Scientists’ Night”
On Friday, October 24, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM, the Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association (KSEA) - New York Metropolitan Chapter (NY Metro Chapter) hosted the "Young Scientists' Night (YSN)" event in Manhattan, New York. The YSN has been the annual flagship event for the NY Metro Chapter since 2017, bringing together passionate and talented young scientists and engineers to network, share ideas, and exchange expertise. One of the purposes of this event was to attract new members, and it successfully recruited 49 new members and membership renewals. The event was a success, featuring a significant number of new members, as well as active participation from both graduate and undergraduate students this year. It also served as a great event to connect returning members with new members and encourage the re-engagement of previous members with KSEA.
KSEA NY Metro Chapter Math and Science Olympiad (KMSO)
The KSEA NY Metropolitan Chapter Math and Science Olympiad (KMSO) is dedicated to promoting and nurturing curious young minds in their pursuit of intellectual challenge, helping them discover the joy of science and math, and providing them with mentoring and a sense of community. What makes this Olympiad even more special is that the volunteers are undergraduate students, graduate students, professional engineers, scientists, or professors who can share their experiences and knowledge in their respective fields. Students and parents are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the Olympiad, such as speaking with volunteers and guest speakers who are more than willing to provide advice, tips, and words of encouragement.
Revives Lunar New Year Tradition
The KSEA NY Metro Chapter proudly hosted its 2026 Lunar New Year Celebration, reviving a cherished chapter tradition once known as “구정의 밤.” The event brought together 99 participants, including undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, regular members, and senior members, for an evening that blended cultural heritage, professional networking, and community building.
Orlando Chapter Student Pilot Seminar 2026
The 2026 2nd Student Pilot Seminar, jointly hosted by KSEA Orlando, was a resounding success. The event brought together over 120 attendees, including aspiring student pilots, experienced airline captains and first officers, and dedicated volunteers. The seminar provided a unique platform for students to gain critical insights into professional pilot career paths, from building flight time to navigating life as an airline pilot.
Southern Virginia Chapter Fall Tax Seminar
On December 4th, 2025, the Southern Virginia Chapter of KSEA hosted a Tax Seminar featuring guest speaker Mr. Shinwook Yi, CPA, at Virginia Tech’s Cheatham Hall, Room 134. The seminar was designed to help international students, visiting scholars, RAs/TAs, and prospective U.S. job seekers gain a practical and accessible understanding of the U.S. tax system. Mr. Yi opened the session by emphasizing that taxes are not merely annual paperwork but an essential part of financial planning for anyone living, studying, or working in the United States. He guided attendees through the fundamentals of U.S. taxation, including filing categories, residency status for tax purposes, deduction opportunities, and key strategies for maximizing tax returns. A central theme of the seminar was “understanding before filing.” Mr. Yi explained that many taxpayers lose potential benefits simply because they are unaware of credits and deductions available to them, particularly international students and researchers. By presenting real-world examples and common scenarios encountered by F-1 and J-1 visa holders, he clarified how participants could navigate tax regulations more confidently and avoid common mistakes.
Career Development Special Lecture
On January 21, 2026, the Southern Virginia Chapter of Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association (KSEA) hosted the Career Development Special Lecture: Insights from the CEO of DongSung Chemical Co., Ltd. at Virginia Tech, Cheatham Hall, Room 134. This event marked the chapter’s first guest lecture of 2026 Spring and was organized as part of its annual membership drive and career development programming.
GatherED! – Social Networking Event
On February 7, 2026, the Southern Virginia Chapter of the Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association (KSEA) hosted GatherED! – a social networking event at Virginia Tech, Wallace Hall, Room 234. The event was organized as an opportunity to introduce KSEA and strengthen connections among students through an informal, interest-driven networking format.
On November 13, 2025, the Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association (KSEA) Austin Chapter's Young Generation (YG) group hosted a vibrant and successful UT STEM Seminar at the University of Texas at Austin. The event, held in NHB 1.720, brought together a dynamic audience of researchers, undergraduate and graduate students, and postdoctoral scholars, creating a fantastic platform for members to share their work and spark new collaborations.
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