Welcome to the Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine,

If Virginia is to successfully address the significant challenges it faces, it must engage the insight and experience of its very best scientists, engineers, and physicians. The Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine is dedicated to making this expertise available to business and government throughout the Commonwealth.

The Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (VASEM) continues to be a valuable resource for independent expertise to help with science and technology policy matters facing the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Virginia Academy brings together some of the most distinguished members of Virginia’s science, engineering, and medical communities, men and women who have been recognized for solving the most complex real-world problems in their fields. Its membership consists of approximately 150 men and women including those individuals elected to the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine who live and/or work in the Commonwealth. The nonpartisan networks of these experts provide rigorous analytical and scientific support to inform policy decisions that are critical to the future of the State.

The Virginia Academy hosted its 2022 Annual Summit on October 25, 2022, at the National Academy of Sciences building in Washington, DC.  The topic, Securing the Future of Cyberspace, was co-hosted with the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative. We look forward to hosting the 2023 VASEM Annual Summit in Richmond in Fall 2023 in partnership with the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation; Smart Communities VA - Program.

The Virginia Academy plans to assist the Joint Commission on Science and Technology by helping it set a forward-looking agenda that promotes technology and science leadership and investment. A report was delivered to JCOTS in early October with the hope that it will create significant interest on the part of JCOTS to commission a study on one or more of the areas identified.  On January 11, 2023, Delegate Cliff Hayes introduced HJ 535 Study; Joint Commission on Technology and Science to the 2023 Virginia General Assembly.  House Joint Resolution 535, if approved, would be "directing the Joint Commission on Technology and Science to study the extreme differences in life expectancy in Virginia and potential technological approaches to monitoring and resolving these  differences... The Commission shall accept any scientific and technical assistance provided by the nonpartisan, volunteer Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine."

The 2022 Commonwealth of Virginia Engineering and Science Graduate Policy Fellowship was another great success. We increased our cohort from 10 in 2021 to 15 in 2022. In addition to the university funding, we received funding from three non-university sponsors; Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, MITRE Corporation, and Huntington Ingalls Industries, which was used to support COVES Fellows from historically excluded communities. 

The Virginia Academy stands ready to do more to secure a healthier, safer, and more prosperous future. That’s why I encourage you to join forces with us to create a better Virginia for its businesses and citizens.

James Aylor