Appalachian Science Communicators Announce New Leadership for 2025-2027 Term

Appalachian Science Communicators (AppSciComm), a professional community for science writers and public information officers across the region, has announced new leadership, naming Laura Snyder as its new president for a two-year term.

Snyder, who is senior director of research communications at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, steps into the role after having served as an organizing member-at-large since 2023. 

“AppSciComm is such a thoughtful, generous community of science communicators,” she said. “I’m excited to keep that spirit going and to help strengthen connections among science writers, public information officers and others advancing science communication in the Appalachian region.”

In her role at Carnegie Mellon, Snyder leads efforts to elevate the impact of the university’s research through integrated storytelling, strategic messaging and cross-campus collaboration. Prior to CMU, she spent two decades at the RW Jones Agency, where she advised colleges and universities nationwide on research communications, media strategy and issues management. She is passionate about making complex ideas accessible and building communications systems that help institutions thrive. 

She succeeds Anastasia Gorelova, who successfully led AppSciComm from January 2024 to September 30, 2025. During her tenure, Gorelova transformed AppSciComm into a more sustainable and structured organization by launching a paid membership model, formalizing the leadership structure with defined roles and terms, and significantly expanding programming. Under her leadership, AppSciComm coordinated regional social events and strengthened its virtual presence through regular coffee chats, career-focused workshops and special events.

The leadership team includes Allison Hydzik (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) as treasurer, with other officer roles to be filled in the coming months. Serving as members-at-large on the organizing committee are Mark Roth, an independent science communicator; Christina Dierkes from the Ohio State University; Margeaux Emery from the University of Tennessee; Ken Chiacchia from the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center; Leigh Hataway from the University of Georgia; and Jessica Vélez from Genetics Society of America. Together, this team represents science communicators from Pennsylvania to Tennessee, bringing perspectives from academic, government and independent sectors throughout Appalachia.

AppSciComm welcomes volunteers interested in joining the organizing committee or contributing to programming. Contact us at appscicomm@gmail.com.