Interested in becoming a CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellow? CCST is currently accepting applications for the 2021 class year until March 1st.

SACRAMENTO, CAWe are proud to introduce the2020 Classof CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows a program that trains scientists and engineers for careers in public policy, while helping to equip Californias decision makers with science-savvy staff.

This year, the CCST Science Fellows class was expanded to 15 fellows and, in a historic first for the program, five CCST Science Fellows were placed in the Executive Branch working in California State Agencies and the Governors office. This is in addition to the 10 CCST Science Fellows who were placed in the California State Legislature and are working in policy committees and member offices.

The expansion of the fellowship program was made possible by a major investment from the State of Californiachampioned by the California State Legislature and approved by Governor Newsomas well as continued philanthropic support.

Our2020 CCST Science Fellowshave completed PhD research at the likes ofUC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UCLA, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara, University of Washington, University of Utah, Cornell University, Harvard University, Penn State University, Emory University, University of Florida,University of Virginia,and the Rockefeller University.

Their technical expertise spans fields including the use of plants to learn about atmospheric pollution, materials for hydrogen fueled vehicles, crop disease, impacts of US air quality regulations, nanoparticles, efficient solar panels, effects of air pollution on pollination, how animals process odors, Alzheimers, novel birth control products, and antibiotic resistance genes.

These fifteen PhD scientists reported to our downtown Sacramento headquartersin November to participate inour annual policy boot camp a crash course on the process, history, and landscape of California policymaking, as well as skills development and communications workshops to prepare them for the intense, dynamic pace of the Capitol policy world.

Who are these talented, passionate professionals, and whichoffices are they working in now?

Lets meet our2020 CCST Science Fellows:

LaShaye Cobley | California Air Resources BoardPhD: Biology, University of Utah

Brynn Cook | Office of Senator GonzalezPhD: Ecology, University of Virginia

Sierra Cook | Assembly Education CommitteePhD: Applied Physics, Cornell University

May Dobosiewicz | Assembly Water, Parks, & Wildlife CommitteePhD: Neuroscience, The Rockefeller University

Grayson Doucette | Senate Natural Resources and Water CommitteePhD: Materials Science, Penn State University

Rae Eaton | California Natural Resources AgencyPhD: Chemistry, University of Washington

Cristina Echeverria | Strategic Growth CouncilPhD: Civil and Environmental Engineering, UCLA

Geoff Hollett | Office of Senator ArchuletaPhD: Materials Science and Engineering, UC San Diego

Jacy Hyde | Assembly Natural Resources CommitteePhD: Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida

Ken McCullough | Governors Office of Planning and Research / Office of Surgeon GeneralPhD: Neuroscience, Emory University

Maria Montchal | Senate Environmental Quality CommitteePhD: Biological Sciences, UC Irvine

Rachel Silvern | Assembly Environmental Safety & Toxic Materials CommitteePhD: Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University

Nikki Soltis | Governors Office of Business and Economic DevelopmentPhD: Plant Biology, UC Davis

Meron Tesfaye | Senate Budget and Fiscal Review CommitteePhD: Chemical Engineering, UC Berkeley

Emily Wonder | Assembly Judiciary CommitteePhD: Materials, UC Santa Barbara

About CCST

CCST is a nonpartisan nonprofit created via the California Legislature in 1988 to provide objective advice from Californias leading scientists and research institutions on policy issues involving science. Californias policies are stronger with science, and CCST is uniquely qualified as an expert organization, modeled after the National Academies of Sciences, to convene a statewide network of experts across disciplines and institutions.

Link:
CCST introduces expanded class of 2020 CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows, now placed in the Legislative and Executive Branch | California...