The Viginia Academy of Science held its 104th annual spring meeting at Christopher Newport University on May 28, 2026. Over 300 people attended the meeting and more than 150 posters were presented. The meeting also featured a recruitment fair with tables hosted by graduate programs, Jefferson Lab, and Rigaku Americas Corporation. Congratulations to the following award recipients and fellows.

Section Winners

Astronomy, Math and Physics
Best Talk - Darren Upton
Best Talk - Amaris McCarver
Best Talk - Edmund Garcia
Best Poster - Chloe Amberman and Moazzam Mann
Best Poster - Rose Detore

Botany
Best Talk - Rogan Coyne
Best Poster - Anna Sophia Cline

Chemistry
Best Poster - Abisoye Fafioye
2nd Place - Rhoda Asiamah
3rd Place - Sara Radwan

Data Science
Best Poster - Farzana Noorzahan

Environmental Science
Best Poster - Aiden Moyer
Best Talk - Abigail McKellips

Material Science
Best Poster - Brandi Redman
Best Talk - Doyle Weishar
Best Talk - Lianis Reyes-Rosa

Psychology
Best Poster - Markham Puhlick
Best Talk - Alex Tolstopyatov 

Structural Biology, Biochemistry & Biophysics
Best Poster - Lucille McGinnis
Best Talk - Grant Baker

2026 Scientists of the Year

Physical Science Award - Professor T. Daniel Crawford, Professor of Chemistry, Virginia Tech
Wildlife and Biodiversity Award - Dr. Steven M. Roble, Senior Zoologist for the Virginia Division of Natural Heritage
Environmental Science Award - Professor Patricia Anne Jackson, Randolph Macon College and environmental lobbyist
Life Science Award - Dr. Charles Gowan (note spelled wrong in the nomination letter), Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies, Randolph Macon College

2026 Virginia Academy of Science Fellows
Mike Price, Liberty University
Mike Wolyniak , Hampden-Sydney College