Press Releases

California Scientists and Policy Leaders Unite to Explore AI and Collaboration at Science Day 2024
Panelists sit on a stage.
SACRAMENTO, Calif.— On October 17th, CCST and the California Natural Resources Agency brought together leaders in science and policy from across CCST’s partner institutions, nonprofits, and the State for our second annual Science Day. With more than 350 registrants in-person and online, panelists and attendees shared exciting ideas to build partnerships addressing the many challenges […]
CCST Launches AI Policy Initiative, Thanks to Irwin Jacobs & Matching Gift
A photo of Peter Cowhey and Irwin Jacobs with no background and a blue overlay, on a white background with a blue border.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Council on Science and Technology is excited to share a special opportunity to support California’s future in artificial intelligence (AI) policy, inspired by the generous series of annual gifts from Irwin Jacobs. In honor of Irwin Jacobs’ birthday on October 18, CCST announced the launch of the Irwin Jacobs & […]
CCST Fills Key Director Roles with Three New Hires
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Council on Science and Technology announced three additions to its senior staff today. Jason John, PhD, joins CCST as Deputy Director. He will oversee the expansion and coordination of CCST’s science services, communications and outreach, and the CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship program. John brings to CCST a wealth […]
Calling California Grad Students and Postdocs: Apply for CCST’s 2025 Science Translators Showcase
The California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) seeks graduate students, postdocs, and early-career faculty in California for the CCST Science Translators Showcase at the California State Capitol, held as part of our 2025 CCST Science & Technology Week. The chosen “Science Translators” will participate in a series of virtual policy and communication trainings from CCST […]
CCST Appoints Stanford’s Dustin Schroeder, PhD, to Board of Directors
A professional headshot of Board member Dustin Schroeder, smiling in a light blue button up shirt with greenery in the background, blurred by the camera.
SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Dustin Schroeder, PhD, a prominent science and engineering researcher at Stanford University known for his work in glaciology, geophysics, and climate science, has been appointed to the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) Board of Directors as Stanford University’s representative. Dr. Schroeder holds faculty appointments at Stanford University in Geophysics and Electrical Engineering, […]
Dr. Aisha Lowe Appointed to California Council on Science and Technology Board of Directors
A professional headshot of Board member Aisha Lowe, smiling and wearing a blazer and a necklace.
SACRAMENTO, Calif.—The California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Aisha Lowe to its Board of Directors. Dr. Lowe, who currently serves as Associate Vice Chancellor of Planning, Research, and Institutional Effectiveness for the Los Rios Community College District, brings with her over 25 years of experience in […]
CCST’s Brie Lindsey, PhD, Hired as Deputy Director at California Ocean Science Trust
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SACRAMENTO, CA – After a decade of dedicated service and significant contributions at the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST), Brie Lindsey, Ph.D., will be departing her position as Interim Co-CEO and Director of Science Services in August. Lindsey has accepted a new role as Deputy Director of the California Ocean Science Trust, effective […]
Interim CEO Sarah Brady, PhD, Transitioning to Governor’s Appointment with California Energy Commission
A portrait photo of Sarah Brady in formal wear over a light blue background.
SACRAMENTO, CA – After nearly eight years of dedicated service and strategic leadership at the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST), Sarah Brady, Ph.D., will be departing her position as Interim CEO in early July. She has accepted a Governor’s Appointment to lead the Office of Governmental and International Affairs at the California Energy […]
Julianne McCall, PhD, Named Next CEO of CCST
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SACRAMENTO, CA – The Board of Directors of the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) announced the selection of Julianne McCall, PhD, as CCST’s next chief executive officer. McCall, currently the Director of Precision Medicine in the California Governor’s Office of Planning & Research (OPR), will assume her new role on September 1, 2024. […]
CCST Announces Commitments and Partnerships Toward Responsible, Equitable, and Ethical AI, Following Inaugural Joint California Summit
A photo of four panelists sitting on a stage with a large screen behind them showing the title, "Joint California Summit on Generative AI," with the US and California flags on the left and right of the stage.
Building on today’s Joint California Summit on Generative AI and the commitment announced by Kapor Foundation, Omidyar Network, and San Francisco Foundation to help fund organizations focused on advancing AI across different sectors, CCST has announced the following commitments: CCST, CSU, CCC, and UC series partnership Sharing knowledge created across California’s institutions with the policymaking […]
Update: Applications for the CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship Have Closed
A formal group photo in front of the California State Capitol, with the Fellows standing in 3 rows.
CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship Placing PhD Scientists into Policy Careers Update (3/12/2024): The application for the CCST Science and Technology Policy Fellowship has closed. Applications will reopen on December 1st for the next class year. SACRAMENTO, Calif.—The California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) is accepting applications for the CCST Science & Technology […]
GALLERY: S&T Week 2024 Reception and Leadership Awards
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The awardees were recognized at CCST’s S&T Week Reception and Leadership Awards Ceremony by members of CCST’s Board of Directors and other leaders from CCST’s Partner Institutions. SACRAMENTO, Calif.—The California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) was proud to recognize the recipients of the 2024 CCST Leadership Awards for Science in Public Service: Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia, […]
GALLERY: CCST’s California Science Translators Showcase Returned to S&T Week 2024
A photo of the translators grouped together in the Assembly gallery.
The California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) was excited to host the 2024 CCST Science Translators Showcase, held as part of our 2024 Science & Technology Week at the California State Capitol! During this networking event, the chosen Translators (graduate students and postdoctoral researchers) discussed their research with elected members, legislative staffers, agency managers, and senior policy […]
Watch: Pathways for a More Smoke-Resilient California
A photo of the five panelists sitting at the dais of a Capitol hearing room.
California’s future is expected to be more smoky as wildland fires become more common. Beneficial wildland fires can improve forest health and reduce the risk of destructive fires, but exposure to fire smoke adversely impacts human health. This CCST Expert Briefing will explores opportunities to build more robust connections between forest management and public health […]
Watch: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for a Resilient California
A collage of three images showing Secretary Tong, the panel, and Secretary Crowfoot speaking.
Serving as the kickoff event to CCST Science and Technology Week 2024, this “Blue Sky” panel brings together a diverse group of experts to explore the untapped potential of artificial intelligence (AI) technology to mitigate the impact of disasters, particularly in the context of California’s unique challenges and the escalating impacts of climate change. Together, […]
Innovation and Strategy Executive Louis Stewart Appointed to CCST Board of Directors
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Appointed as an Independent Director, Louis brings experience in the public and private sectors, innovation, business diversity, and technology SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Louis Stewart, an innovation and strategy executive with more than 19 years of experience in the private sector and 13 years serving in the public sector, has been appointed to the California Council on Science […]
Watch: All About the CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship
A graphic featuring a photo of the four panelists, the title of the webinar, a black and white photo of the California State Capitol, and CCST's logo.
  WATCH All About the CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship Informational Webinar and Live Q&A with Alumni Are you exploring career options where you can use your PhD to have a real world policy impact? Watch this webinar to learn more about the CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship, where PhD scientists, social scientists, […]
Introducing the 2024 CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows
A formal group photo in front of the California State Capitol, with the Fellows standing in 3 rows.
MEET THE NEW FELLOWS Introducing the 2024 CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows See where these talented PhD scientists will be spending their Fellowship year in California State Government. SACRAMENTO, CA—We are excited to introduce the 2024 Class of CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows. Now celebrating 15 years of Fellows, the program places PhD level scientists, […]
Bruce Darling (National Academy of Sciences) and Charles Harper (Jariet Technologies) Retire from CCST Board of Directors
Black and white profile headshots of Bruce and Charles side by side.
Bruce Darling and Charles Harper, MBA, are retiring from the Board of Directors of the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST), after each serving for more than two decades. Bruce Darling, who joined the CCST Board in 1997, served as Executive Officer of the National Academy of Sciences and the National Research Council from […]
Highlights from CCST’s 35th Year + 2024 Preview
An aerial view of the California State Capitol toward Tower Bridge. By Leo on Unsplash.
In 2023, CCST celebrated 35 years of strengthening California policy with science. Along the way, we significantly grew our impact, achieved milestones years in the making, and embraced some big changes. This fall, after bidding farewell to our CEO and long-time champion Amber Mace, I stepped in as Interim CEO, and I’m more inspired than […]
Finance and Strategy Executive Jeffrey Scott Appointed to CCST Board of Directors
Headshot of Board member Jeff Scott in a blue button up shirt and wearing glasses.
Appointed as an Independent Director, Jeff brings experience in the government, private sector, consulting, and academia SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Jeffrey Scott, a finance and strategy executive with over 30 years of experience in government, the private sector, consulting, and academia, has been appointed to the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) Board of Directors as an […]