Join us on July 15 at 2 p.m. ET for the second installment of a two-part offering looking at “What’s it like to be a fellow?” In Part I, we explored how STPF is a year of service. This month we'll discuss Part II: A Year of Learning.
Learn how fellows increase their policy knowledge and skills. Hear fellows discuss knowledge gains related to federal policymaking and the broader workings of the federal government. And understand how the fellowship offers fellows a hands-on learning opportunity to collaborate effectively and integrate science and policy.
You will also have the chance to ask fellows your questions about the chat theme.
Miss Part I: A Year of Service? Access the recording and view the full chat schedule here.
MODERATOR
Jessica Soule, STPF Project Director, Recruitment, Marketing & Alumni Engagement
CHAT PARTICIPANTS
FELLOWS
Christopher Williams, 2016-18 Executive Branch Fellow, National Science Foundation, Office of Integrative Activities
Dr. Christopher Williams has a background in molecular biology and genetics. He graduated from Frostburg State University with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry in 2006. From there he attended Georgetown University where he earned a Ph.D. from the Department of Biology in 2012. Following his graduate work, Chris worked as a postdoctoral fellow at the National Institutes of Health/NIDDK until beginning his time as a AAAS S&T Policy Fellow. Beyond the lab, Christopher is a science educator with The First Life Science Program, a program he created to provide STEM exposure to underrepresented groups in the Washington, DC area. Christopher is looking to gain experience in communicating science findings and policies with the public. When not working, he enjoys training for and participating in triathlons.
Janet Chen, 2019-21 Executive Branch Fellow, U.S. Department of State, Office of Multilateral Nuclear and Security Affairs
Dr. Chen is a Foreign Affairs Officer at the U.S. Department of State in the Office for Multilateral Nuclear and Security Affairs in the Bureau for International Security and Nonproliferation. In this role, she coordinates U.S. support for work that uses nuclear technologies to address global health and sustainability issues and to advance foreign policy objectives. This includes developing private-public partnerships with the Department of State and International Atomic Energy Agency. She serves as a 2020-21 AAAS S&T Policy Fellow and holds a Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of Wyoming, an M.S. in Botany from Washington State University, and a B.S. in Biology from the University of Arizona.
Lizzie Hunsaker, 2020-21 American Chemical Society Congressional Science and Engineering Fellow, Office of Senator Chris Coons.
2021-22 Executive Branch Fellow, U.S. Department of State, Office of the Secretary.
Dr. Hunsaker is a 2020-21 American Chemical Society Congressional Science & Engineering Fellow working on energy and climate policy for U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-DE). In this role, Lizzie has developed broad legislative experience crafting energy policy, supporting the appropriations process, organizing briefings and events, and fostering constituent relationships. Lizzie has a particular interest in climate diplomacy and will transition next year to an STPF executive branch fellowship at the State Department in the office of Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry. She earned a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Duke University in 2019 where she studied the role of transition metals in infectious disease and their impact on the efficacy of antifungal therapies. Concurrent with her research, Lizzie also led a study investigating the experiences of graduate students serving as in-lab mentors to undergraduates that led to recommendations for improving graduate mentoring experiences. At Duke, she served as chair of the American Chemical Society North Carolina local section's Younger Chemists Committee. She also worked with Citizens’ Climate Lobby, a nonpartisan organization, to engage the public and members of Congress on bipartisan solutions to address climate change.