A regional chapter, rebuilt

The chapter

Upstate New York holds a dense concentration of research universities, medical centers, and technical industry — but its Korean-American STEM community is distributed across hundreds of miles. Cornell, RIT, Rochester, Binghamton, Buffalo, RPI, and Syracuse each host a handful of researchers who otherwise have little reason to cross paths.

In April 2025 the chapter held a symposium at the Rochester Institute of Technology — the first KSEA event in this region in over twenty years. What followed was a full program year: a fall symposium at Cornell, a spring symposium at the University of Rochester Medical Center, a seminar series running from polymer physics to immigration law, and an annual town hall in Syracuse.

That activity showed up in the membership. Paid membership went from 35 in August 2025 to 62 by the end of the year — an increase of 27 — against a total roster of 72 across 10 institutions and employers.

What we do

• Convene. Fall and spring symposia with invited talks, trainee research presentations, student posters, and career panels.
• Run a seminar series. Regular talks by chapter members on their own research — plus practical sessions on the things researchers actually need, like visa and green card processes.
• Mentor. Connect students and early-career researchers to faculty and industry professionals, locally and through KSEA's national programs.
• Govern openly. An annual town hall where members review the year, set direction, and elect the incoming committee.