Dear KAGES members and sponsors,

It is a privilege to introduce myself as the 2025–2026 President of KAGES. Our association exists to advance geospatial and environmental sciences by connecting scholars, students, and professionals across Korea and the United States—and everything we do is aimed at making that bridge stronger.

This year, we will:

• spotlight member research through the KAGES Research Colloquium Series;
• support publication and scholarly exchange via the International Journal of Geospatial and Environmental Research (IJGER);
• recognize excellence through our awards programs, including travel and paper awards;
• expand mentoring so students and early-career researchers gain practical guidance and networks;
• offer ethics and professional-development workshops to strengthen academic integrity and leadership;
• grow partnerships with universities, industry, and public agencies to broaden impact; and
• keep our community informed and connected through regular newsletters, website updates, and member spotlights.

These initiatives only succeed with your participation. I invite each of you to share your work, nominate colleagues and students for recognition, volunteer to host a session or workshop, and help us welcome new members. If you have ideas or needs we should address, please reach out—your input shapes our priorities.

I look forward to meeting many of you in person at the AAG Annual Meeting in San Francisco in 2026. Let’s use this year to deepen collaboration, open doors for the next generation, and elevate the visibility and relevance of KAGES across the broader scientific community.

With appreciation,

Ho-Seop Cha, PhD
President, Korea-America Association for Geospatial and Environmental Sciences (KAGES)