Hundreds of scientists from across the region will be at UNLV June 16-19 for the 94th annual American Association for the Advancement of Science-Pacific Division (AAAS) conference.

The annual meeting brings together scientists, students and professionals to present and discuss the latest research on a broad range of topics organized loosely this year around desert science. Attendees will also discuss developments in cancer research, STEM education, biomedicine and forensic sciences. This is the first time the AAAS Pacific Division has met for a conference at UNLV.

The program includes workshops, oral and poster presentations, and several public lectures. A series of field trips will showcase the region's engineering and natural history highlights, with stops at Hoover Dam, Tule Springs Fossil Beds, and Zion National Park. The meeting is open to the public, but registration is required for most events.

"Scientific research is extremely strong at UNLV," said UNLV geoscience professor Steven Rowland, who is also chair of the host committee. "Our science faculty and graduate students are making significant contributions in all branches of science and mathematics. This meeting is a wonderful opportunity to share research results and to display our strengths in the sciences."

The following sessions are free and open to the public:

June 16 - 6:30 p.m., Student Union Theatre?

Panel discussion: Scientific Publishing: Where Are We, and Where Are We Going?

June 17?- 12:15 p.m., Student Union Room 208A

Las Vegas: Sustainable?
Robert E. Lang, director of Brookings Mountain West and professor of sociology at UNLV

June 18 - 12:15 p.m., Student Union Room 208A

New frontiers of Cancer Research
Rafael Malagoli Rocha, department of pathology, Hospital AC Camargo, Sao Paulo, Brazil

June 19 - 12:15 p.m., Student Union Theatre

The Incredible Contributions of Nikola Tesla
Michael Pravica, associate professor of physics, UNLV

About AAAS

AAAS is the largest private scientific organization in the world and publishes the prestigious weekly journal Science. The Pacific Division of AAAS includes Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Alaska, and Hawaii. Learn more about the AAAS Pacific Division conference