8th Annual ComSciCon Atlanta Meeting

February 21-23, 2025
Location: Atlanta
ComSciCon is a series of workshops designed to empower graduate students to better communicate science across multiple disciplines, and to the general public. The workshops emphasize training in different science communication medium, including writing, presentation and multimedia, through a combination of interactive discussions with professional communicators and hands-on practice sessions. Conference attendees also have the opportunity to network with current and future leaders in science communication. The conference is organized by graduate students for graduate students in the southeast area
ComSciCon-ATL 2025 will explore integrating art with science, diverse voices in science communication and reporting science in real time, among other topics. Application will open on Friday, November 1, 2024. All graduate students attending schools in US southeast area will be eligible to apply.
There will be no cost to attendees to participate in ComSciCon-ATL 2025.
All participants must apply!
FOLLOW US
Twitter: @ComSciConATL
Instagram: @comsciconatl
To request more information, please reach out to us at: atl@comscicon.org
Application
Application Form to ComSciCon Atlanta 2025
Application will open on November 1, 2024 and close on December 15, 2024. All graduate students from southeastern universities are welcome to apply!
Application Process
The application process will be a straightforward survey form. We will not be requiring fees upon registration in order to maintain our dedication and commitment to an accessible conference. Apart from the necessary information, we will be presenting applicants with 4 prompts:
1. Describe your previous experience in science communication.
2. How would you describe your research interests to the general public?
3. What are you hoping to gain from attending the ComSciCon Atlanta 2025 workshop?
4. What are ways communicating about science has impacted your community? What would you change about that communication for the future?
The organizing committee will select applicants based on their responses. ComSciCon is dedicated to an equal opportunity policy. We will not discriminate against the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, genetic information, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran’s status, or any factor that is a prohibited consideration under applicable law.
Once all applicants have confirmed, we will be sending them pre-workshop information with a finalized schedule and instructions on how to participate in the Create-a-Thon. We will also be asking participants to fill out a pre-workshop survey that will be compared to their post-workshop survey after they have attended the conference.
Invited Speakers







Organizers

Team bios
| Ahmed Elshaarrawi Ahmed Elshaarrawi is presently immersed in his doctoral studies within the Genome Science and Technology program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he previously earned the distinction of being a Fulbright alumnus. Beyond academia, Ahmed finds joy in delving into Car and DIY projects, and he’s equally passionate about embracing the great outdoors. His current research is centered around unraveling the intricacies of Wnt signaling in the realms of inflammation and cancer. Looking ahead, Ahmed aspires to carve out a professional niche in research and academia. Recognizing the pivotal role of community engagement in scientific communication, he envisions leveraging outreach initiatives to elucidate how his research resonates with individuals and communities. Ahmed views participation in ComSci as an invaluable opportunity to gain practical experience and foster meaningful connections within the scientific community. | |
| Siddhartha Regmi Siddhartha Regmi is a dedicated forestry science Ph.D. student at Department of Forestry and EClemson University with a strong background in forest resource management, particularly in coastal ecosystems. He has a master’s degree in Forest Resources from Clemson and a bachelor’s degree in Forestry from Tribhuvan University in Nepal. Siddhartha’s research focuses on forest disturbances, including the impacts of sea level rise and hurricanes on coastal forest ecosystems.Siddhartha’s career goal is to be an academician in a renowned university where he can apply his expertise to develop the next generation of forest and natural resource managers while continually advancing his knowledge through research.A passionate advocate for conservation and sustainability, he actively engages in leadership roles within Clemson and the broader environmental community. Siddhartha is passionate about hiking, interacting with people and learning new ideas and views from others. He is excited about comscicon as it is a completely new type of event rather than other academic conferences and it would be a great opportunity to learn, meet and network with new people. | |
| Bunu Khanal Bunu is a second-year Plant and Environmental Sciences Ph.D. student at Clemson University, SC. Her research focuses on biological controls in turfgrass disease management in Urban landscapes. With a strong background, Bunu completed her master’s degree in microbiology at St. Xavier’s College, Kathmandu, Nepal, where she gained valuable hands-on experience in laboratory analysis and molecular techniques. Driven by a passion for turfgrass pathology, she is dedicated to developing innovative strategies for managing turfgrass diseases and promoting sustainable practices that enhance the health and resilience of urban landscapes. Outside of academia, she enjoys hiking, traveling, reading novels and volunteering, reflecting her commitment to nature and community engagement. Being a first-time in ComSciCon, Bunu is excited to connect with fellow science enthusiasts and participate in discussions that can deepen her understanding of effective outreach. | |
| Brooke Talbot Brooke completed her PhD in Population Biology, Ecology, and Evolution at Emory University in October 2024. Her research explored how to identify epidemiological patterns in the spread and persistence of drug-resistant bacteria by tracking changes in bacterial DNA. Brooke’s specialty in bioinformatics and passion to break down professional silos has allowed her to visit and speak with congress about her science and advocate for science education and funding. She also enjoys organizing symposia for graduate students to share their work across disciplines, which she has done at Emory for three years. Last year was her first time attending ComSciCon and she’s excited to help bring students together this year to discuss how they craft communication in new and exciting ways into their scientific work. In her free time, Brooke enjoys training for half marathons, contributing to Wikipedia, and hanging with her cat Scully. | |
| Alyssa Montalbine Alyssa is currently completing her Masters of Arts in Bioethics at Emory University working as a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow. Her current research interests center on Artificial Intelligence’s impact on the legal system with the rise of deep fakes, how intellectual property rights influence inequities in global epidemics, and the narrative ethics of storytelling. She previously received her Masters in Biomedical Engineering from Georgia Tech working at the interface of analytical chemistry, immune system engineering, and organ-on-chip microfluidics. In her free time, Alyssa loves to volunteer, country swing dance, sing, read about her most current hyperfixation, and bake. Alyssa attended ComSciCon last year and is excited to be helping more science communicators find their voice and share their science with the world. | |
| Om Prakash Ghimire Om Prakash Ghimire is a PhD candidate in the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences at Clemson University, South Carolina. His research focuses on improving climate resilience in crops by optimizing root system architecture. Prior to joining Clemson University, he earned a Master’s degree in Plant Physiology from Indian Agricultural Research Institute in New Delhi, India, and gained industry experience working for two years at a startup in Bengaluru, India. Om Prakash is passionate about science communication, actively contributing to society magazines, podcasts, and public outreach initiatives. He is engaged in various scientific networks to promote public awareness of plant science, environmental conservation, and sustainable agriculture. He is particularly enthusiastic about expanding his network to enhance communication strategies for advancing environmental health and agricultural sustainability. As a member of the ComSciCon Atlanta 2025 organizing committee, he looks forward to organizing impactful science communication activities to create a memorable experience for attendees. You can follow his latest research updates and science communication efforts on X (formerly Twitter) at @baizalla. |
Conference Program


Sponsors

Create-a-thon
