Scientists play a critical role in building evidence-based policies surrounding science and technology. Therefore, it's vital to train future generations of scientists and engineers in the art of communication science effectively to lawmakers and the public. My work at FAS, UNCG, the National Science Policy Network, and Sigma Xi has allowed me to grow my skills as a writer, speaker, and advocate to empower students to explore careers outside academia and pursue their interests within science policy and advocacy.
2022 Outstanding Advocacy Award, for outstanding commitment to advocacy for birds and inclusive leadership of advocates in partnership with the state office from the North Carolina Audubon Society
2020-2021 - Certificate in Science Policy and Advocacy from UC Irvine’s Public Policy Prep in coordination with NSF Ridge-to-Reef, The Journal of Science Policy and Governance (JSPG), and the Union of Concerned Scientists.
For more information about this program, check out their website!
For more information about this program, check out their website!
Policy Entrepreneur Fellow at the federation of american scientists
I applied and was accepted to the first-ever ECR policy accelerator at FAS and the National Science Policy Network, where I learned the mechanics of researching a policy topic, networking and interviewing, how to use various policy levers to achieve goals, and overall published a memo on the Day1 Project website.
My passion for this work led me to apply for the Policy Entrepreneur Fellowship offered by FAS. I was accepted and started working in April to continue my research on how to better control microbial therapeutic products for honey bees and other agricultural animals as well as introduce better educational tools for veterinarians to understand beekeeping husbandry.
You can read my memo from the Policy Accelerator program here! www.dayoneproject.org/ideas/regulating-probiotic-use-and-improving-veterinary-care-to-bolster-honeybee-health/
Check out my latest public comment to the FDA on revising the policy of animal foods with claims that affect the microbiome
https://www.regulations.gov/comment/FDA-2022-N-2015-0089
The National Science Policy Network
Southern Hub Chair 2021-22
General Member since 2019 and Graduate Education Committee Member since May 2020
As the Southern Hub Chair, I lead the members located in the Southern U.S, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands through regional based projects to give members hands-on experience interacting with their state legislators. Keep updated with my progress in the Southern Hub on NSPN's website!
The National Science Policy Network (NSPN) is a coalition of early-career scientists who actively take part in science policy and advocacy through a variety of topics ranging from DEI, science diplomacy, graduate education, and more.
As part of the Graduate Education Committee, I create education content for the Network and general public about science policy and advocacy including the Science Policy Educational Modules. Recently, committee member, Alessandra Zimmermann and I launched a national survey studying the resources and policies for graduate and professional students and their perceived views of these policies. For more information about this survey, see here!
Southern Hub Chair 2021-22
General Member since 2019 and Graduate Education Committee Member since May 2020
As the Southern Hub Chair, I lead the members located in the Southern U.S, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands through regional based projects to give members hands-on experience interacting with their state legislators. Keep updated with my progress in the Southern Hub on NSPN's website!
The National Science Policy Network (NSPN) is a coalition of early-career scientists who actively take part in science policy and advocacy through a variety of topics ranging from DEI, science diplomacy, graduate education, and more.
As part of the Graduate Education Committee, I create education content for the Network and general public about science policy and advocacy including the Science Policy Educational Modules. Recently, committee member, Alessandra Zimmermann and I launched a national survey studying the resources and policies for graduate and professional students and their perceived views of these policies. For more information about this survey, see here!
UNCG Spartans for Science and Policy
Co-founder and Vice President (2019-Present)
Check out more on our website
Responsible for leading meetings, writing grants for the group, and organizing events.
Co-founder and Vice President (2019-Present)
Check out more on our website
Responsible for leading meetings, writing grants for the group, and organizing events.
NC Students for Science Policy Coalition (NC SSPC)
Co-founder and Triad Representative (2020-Present)
The NC SSPC is led by the UNC-CH Science Policy Advocacy Group, NC State Science Policy Pack, and UNCG Spartans for Science and Policy
Responsible for creating professional development workshops and seminars related to science policy and advocacy.
Created and launched the 2020-21 Science Policy and Advocacy Certificate Series where events cover a broad range of science policy topics, from the basics of what science policy is to how to engage with elected officials.
Co-founder and Triad Representative (2020-Present)
The NC SSPC is led by the UNC-CH Science Policy Advocacy Group, NC State Science Policy Pack, and UNCG Spartans for Science and Policy
Responsible for creating professional development workshops and seminars related to science policy and advocacy.
Created and launched the 2020-21 Science Policy and Advocacy Certificate Series where events cover a broad range of science policy topics, from the basics of what science policy is to how to engage with elected officials.
North Carolina Science Debate
Team member, Public Relations Correspondent, Agriculture Policy Specialist (May-December 2020)
The North Carolina Science Debate team is a group made up of graduate students from NC State University’s Science Policy Pack, UNC Chapel Hill’s Science Policy Advocacy Group, and UNC Greensboro’s Spartans for Science and Policy. We are partnered with 2 non-partisan, nation-wide nonprofit organizations: Science Debate, who promotes discussion of science among candidates at the presidential level, and the National Science Policy Network, who is coordinating efforts similar to ours in other states. Our goal is to facilitate discussion of science and technology-related policy issues among candidates running for office in North Carolina.
Team member, Public Relations Correspondent, Agriculture Policy Specialist (May-December 2020)
The North Carolina Science Debate team is a group made up of graduate students from NC State University’s Science Policy Pack, UNC Chapel Hill’s Science Policy Advocacy Group, and UNC Greensboro’s Spartans for Science and Policy. We are partnered with 2 non-partisan, nation-wide nonprofit organizations: Science Debate, who promotes discussion of science among candidates at the presidential level, and the National Science Policy Network, who is coordinating efforts similar to ours in other states. Our goal is to facilitate discussion of science and technology-related policy issues among candidates running for office in North Carolina.
More policy & Advocacy Leadership roles
UNC Association of Student Governments Vice President of Graduate and Professional Student Affairs Committee (2020-21)
My primary responsibilities were organizing and running committee meetings and creating state-wide events and scholarship opportunities for graduate and professional students. During my time with ASG I:
1) Compiled a comprehensive list of all current graduate and professional student leaders from all UNC system schools with graduate/professional programs
2) Organized a state-wide leadership summit for grad/prof students to discuss the unique issues and share events with each other
3) Organized a state-wide advocacy day for graduate and professional students. I created training content and ran workshops on "Why Advocacy is Important as a Student", "How to Write an Effective One-pager", and "How to be a Successful Advocate". I scheduled all meetings with lawmakers for a total of 6 districts and 11 meetings with state senators and house reps. Students described their experience as, "Empowering" and "Gave me the confidence to continue advocating for my needs at my university and beyond".
4) Mentored my Associate Vice President, Emma Goldberg (Eastern Carolina University PhD student) to take over my responsibilities for the next term.
My primary responsibilities were organizing and running committee meetings and creating state-wide events and scholarship opportunities for graduate and professional students. During my time with ASG I:
1) Compiled a comprehensive list of all current graduate and professional student leaders from all UNC system schools with graduate/professional programs
2) Organized a state-wide leadership summit for grad/prof students to discuss the unique issues and share events with each other
3) Organized a state-wide advocacy day for graduate and professional students. I created training content and ran workshops on "Why Advocacy is Important as a Student", "How to Write an Effective One-pager", and "How to be a Successful Advocate". I scheduled all meetings with lawmakers for a total of 6 districts and 11 meetings with state senators and house reps. Students described their experience as, "Empowering" and "Gave me the confidence to continue advocating for my needs at my university and beyond".
4) Mentored my Associate Vice President, Emma Goldberg (Eastern Carolina University PhD student) to take over my responsibilities for the next term.
North Carolina Audubon Advocacy Day Local Leader 2021-Present
Guilford County Advocacy Leader
As a volunteer advocacy with NC Audubon, I participate in passing out petitions to NC Lawmakers in the House and Senate, organize and activate local constituents to join advocacy efforts in Raleigh, and invite lawmakers to join constituents for bird walks to discuss policies that help birds and the people who love them.
Virtual advocacy day is an event that trains local constituents to advocate on topics related to conservation and birds. As a local leader, I scheduled meetings with lawmakers, organized outreach meetings with constituents in Guilford County, and assisted in training new advocates in how to speak with their lawmakers.
Check out these awesome articles from advocacy days previous!
Guilford County Advocacy Leader
As a volunteer advocacy with NC Audubon, I participate in passing out petitions to NC Lawmakers in the House and Senate, organize and activate local constituents to join advocacy efforts in Raleigh, and invite lawmakers to join constituents for bird walks to discuss policies that help birds and the people who love them.
Virtual advocacy day is an event that trains local constituents to advocate on topics related to conservation and birds. As a local leader, I scheduled meetings with lawmakers, organized outreach meetings with constituents in Guilford County, and assisted in training new advocates in how to speak with their lawmakers.
Check out these awesome articles from advocacy days previous!