Press Releases

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
A headshot of Louis Stewart in a business suit and tie.
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 […]
New Wildfire Smoke Study Finds That Improving Health of California’s Forests Benefits Human Health
A photo of smoke from the King Fire by the Pacific Southwest Forest Service, USDA.
New Wildfire Smoke Study Finds That Improving Health of California’s Forests Benefits Human Health Increasing Forest Management Can Reduce Impacts of Wildfire Smoke to Human Health and Health Sector Sacramento, Calif. | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | September 12, 2023 With health impacts from wildfire smoke estimated to be one of the largest costs of wildfires, […]
A Transition: CCST Looks Toward a New Chapter With the Departure of CEO Amber Mace
A portrait photo of Amber Mace in formal wear over a light blue background.
  “We are all stewards of this important and ongoing work.” As CEO Amber Mace looks toward a new professional chapter, she’s leaving CCST stronger than ever. After a decade of innovative and strategic leadership at the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST), Amber Mace, PhD, is departing her position as CEO in late […]
CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship Meets $30 Million Endowment Goal, Thanks to $10 Million from State Budget
A group photo of the 2023 CCST S&T Policy Fellows standing together in front of the California State Capitol steps dressed in business attire.
  CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship Meets $30 Million Endowment Goal, Thanks to $10 Million from State Budget Historic State investment affirms value and impact of the CCST Fellowship, as the program enters its 15th year of delivering scientific expertise to policymakers   California just made a historic move to help ensure that science […]
Report: California’s NASA and DOE Labs Are Leading the Charge Toward a More Resilient and Sustainable Future
A graphic with the cover of the labs report and the title with CCST's logo on a blue background.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: [email protected] SACRAMENTO, Calif.—A new impact report released by the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) showcases the groundbreaking work of NASA field centers and Department of Energy national laboratories in California, featuring stories of how they are leveraging their world-class expertise and technologies to invest in California’s resilience to […]
Introducing the 2023 Class of CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows
A group photo of the fellows with a blue overlay on the side and text describing the Fellowship with CCST's logo
SACRAMENTO, CA—We are excited to introduce the 2023 Class of CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows. Now celebrating its 14th year, the program places PhD level scientists, engineers, and social scientists in Legislative and Executive Branch offices, training them for careers in public policy while helping to equip California’s decision makers with science-savvy staff. APPLY NOW: We are currently […]
CCST Workshop Envisions a More Holistic and Inclusive Public Health System Informed by COVID-19 Response
Zoom screenshot of Amber Mace, Harvey Fineberg, and Rohan Radhakrishna on a white background with CCST logo
  SACRAMENTO, Calif.—The California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) hosted a workshop with leading public health experts on June 14th and 17th to identify opportunities to strengthen California’s public health system.  Participants were challenged with producing actionable, holistic, and equitable recommendations for policymakers. The workshop was part of the CCST Disaster Resilience Initiative COVID-19 […]
Dr. Ishwar K. Puri Appointed to CCST Board of Directors as USC Representative
A photo of Ishwar Puri in a suit and tie with sunglasses
SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Dr. Ishwar K. Puri, Vice President of Research and Professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering at University of Southern California, has been appointed to the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) Board of Directors by University of California President Michael V. Drake, MD. “Today is a big day for CCST and for California,” […]
Berkeley Lab’s Carol Burns Appointed to CCST Board of Directors
Photo of Carol burns with blurred trees in the background
SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) Deputy Director for Research and Chief Research Officer Dr. Carol Burns has been appointed to the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) Board of Directors by University of California President Michael V. Drake, MD. “Participation on the California Council on Science and Technology is an important public […]
Introducing the 2022 Class of CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows
Headshots of the 2022 Fellows in a grid on a blue background
  SACRAMENTO, CA—We are excited to introduce the 2022 Class of CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows. Now celebrating its 13th year, the program places PhD level scientists, engineers, and social scientists in Legislative and Executive Branch offices, training them for careers in public policy while helping to equip California’s decision makers with science-savvy staff. These sixteen PhD scientists […]
Report: California’s NASA and DOE Labs Provide Cutting-Edge Solutions Toward Climate, Disaster Resilience
  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: [email protected] SACRAMENTO, Calif.—A new impact report released by the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) showcases how NASA field centers and Department of Energy national laboratories in California are leveraging their world class technology and expertise to address climate change, sea level rise, wildfire, COVID-19, drought, and other […]
Day One Project: CCST Proposal Recommends Tracking Health Impacts of Wildfire Smoke for Biden-Harris Administration
Photo of smoke from Camp Fire
  A new proposal written by experts from the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) and Stanford University provides recommendations to reduce disaster costs through better tracking of wildfire-smoke health impacts. According to the proposal, the United States currently does not have a systematic method to track the health impacts and associated costs of […]
New Report Highlights Stories of COVID-19 Response by CCST’s Partner Institutions
  SACRAMENTO, Calif.—A new report released by the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) highlights some of the ways in which CCST’s Partner Institutions have rapidly pivoted their resources, expertise, and research efforts toward responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. CCST’s Partner Institutions include eleven of California’s world-class educational and research institutions. The report can […]
Five Distinguished Leaders in Science, Engineering, Policy, and Philanthropy Appointed to CCST Board of Directors
Photos of the new Board members with a welcome message on a blue background
  SACRAMENTO, Calif.—As part of a major expansion, the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) is proud to announce the appointment of five new members to the Board of Directors. Distinguished leaders in science, engineering, policy, and philanthropy, these new members bring a diverse set of experiences and expertise to drive CCST’s initiative on […]
Update: Watch the 2021 “CCST Science in Public Service Award” Presentation
Images of the 2021 CCST Science in Public Service Award Recipients
2021 CCST Leadership Awardees. Science in Public Service Award: Given to a public servant with a clear track record of championing science and technology issues and who values efforts to connect science to policy. 2021 recipients: Senator Robert Hertzberg, Assemblymember Chris Holden, and Former CEC Vice Chair Janea Scott. SACRAMENTO, Calif. | February 2, 2021 […]