From hydrogen power and hypersonics to gene editing: CU faculty to share breakthroughs at AAAS conference

Can we harvest hydrogen from Earth to power our houses and cars? Can we use RNA to design better cancer treatments? How can Americans combat misinformation online in the lead-up to the 2024 elections?

These are just a few questions CU Boulder researchers seek to answer at the annual meeting in Denver from Feb. 15-17.

Founded in 1848, AAAS is the world’s largest multi-disciplinary science society. CU Boulder is a sponsor of this year’s event and will celebrate scientific achievements from across campus during the three-day conference.

This year’s meeting, which has the theme of “Toward Science Without Walls,” will explore a wide range of global challenges, from infectious diseases to climate change and artificial intelligence, through a series of discussions and workshops. Attendees will also learn about how researchers and others can address these existential challenges through new medicine and clean energy.

Throughout the week, attendees will participate in panels and sessions featuring top scientists from around the world—including CU Boulder.

“The breadth of disciplines and depth of expertise represented at this conference make AAAS an ideal setting to showcase the vibrant research community at CU Boulder,” said Massimo Ruzzene, vice chancellor for research and innovation and dean of the institutes at CU Boulder. “From space and climate to biosciences and quantum, the conference will help underscore how CU Boulder research is addressing society’s most pressing challenges.”

At this year's conference, an international of Indigenous and western researchers, including CU Boulder archaeologist William Taylor, will receive this year’s prestigious . The award, which comes with a $25,000 prize, is given every year to an outstanding paper published in the journal “Science.”&�Բ��;The team is recognized for its 2023 study, “Early Dispersal of Domestic Horses in the Great Plains and Northern Rockies.”&�Բ��;

Learn more about talks from CU Boulder researchers.