CCST Science Fellows
CCST Science Fellows Blog
California has one of the largest economies in the world, and so many critical issues facing our state today — water, energy, and public health, just to name a few — require a deep understanding of science.
Few California state legislators have backgrounds in science, engineering, or technology. Yet, they are asked to make decisions on issues with significant science and technology aspects. To help the California State Legislature make the most informed decisions for the state’s citizens and resources, the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) has created the CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows program.
Now in its tenth year, the CCST Science Fellows program helps the California State Legislature access some of the talent and staff they need to make informed decisions. Whether you’re a prospective applicant, an interested funder, a staff member, legislator, or an advocate, we hope this blog offers you a glimpse into our Fellowship experience, and a deeper appreciation for the valuable resources and programs that CCST strives to provide to California’s policymakers and citizens.
If our Fellowship mission has sparked new ideas and new possibilities in your own vision and mission, we would love to hear from you. Thank you for following us, and we’ll see you here and on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn!
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Thank You for Supporting Your CCST Science Fellows on #GivingTuesday
Today is #GivingTuesday — a day each year when we are especially proud to wear our identity as a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization. As a nonprofit, CCST relies on the support of philanthropic individuals and foundations to sustain our operations — and we are grateful to all who have. When you support our CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship […]
UC Riverside Info Session, Dec. 15th: Meet a Former CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellow!
UC Riverside graduate student, postdoctoral, and faculty researchers will have a chance to learn about the CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship this December: Biomedical Careers – Alternative careers in Biomedical Sciences – Scientific Policy and Government Hosted by the UC Riverside Division of Biomedical Sciences Friday, December 15, 2017 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 […]
Calling California Grad Students and Postdocs: Apply for Our California Science Translators Showcase!
The California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) is excited to seek graduate students, postdocs, and early-career faculty for the inaugural California Science Translators Showcase.
Meet CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows at @UCDavis Info Session, November 16th
We are hosting our next fellowship info session at UC Davis on Thursday, November 16th, 2017: Info Session: CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship University of California, Davis Thursday, November 16th, 2017 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Student Community Center, Room E Share on Facebook: www.facebook.com/events/1930326766994291 Applications for the 2019 Class of CCST Science […]
Life Before #CAleg: 2017 CCST Science Fellows Share Their PhD Pasts (Part 2)
The 2017 Class of our CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows are now entering the final stretch of their year-long fellowship! As they begin to plan for professional futures in or beyond Sacramento, it’s also a perfect time to look back at their life before the Legislature, and the journeys that shaped them into talented […]
Meet CCST Science Fellows Alumni at #SACNAS2017 in Salt Lake City, Oct. 19-21
Students, faculty, and program managers attending #SACNAS2017 in Salt Lake City will have the chance to learn about the CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship! CCST will be hosting booth #1017 at the Exhibit Hall throughout the conference. Fellowship program manager Annie Morgan will be on hand with a number of fellowship alumni: Erika Bustamante ’12, Estevan Santana ’15, and Gabriella Nepomuceno ’16. The […]
Kristin Warren ’17 Part of @BeyondAcademia Public Sector Fellowships Workshop, Oct. 16th
If you are a UC Berkeley graduate or postdoctoral researcher interested in exploring public policy training, please sign up for the upcoming Public Sector Fellowships Workshop hosted by Beyond Academia, to be held Monday, October 16th. Kristin Warren, PhD, a member of the 2017 Class of CCST Science Fellows, will be on hand to speak about her experience working […]
Visit the CCST Science Fellows Table at the National GEM Consortium 2017 Conference in NYC
Are you a scientist or engineer curious to explore a future career in public policy? Are you excited by the idea of combining your training in science with a passion for leadership and policymaking? If you are attending the National GEM Consortium 2017 Annual Conference, we’d love to talk to you! Visit our table during Saturday’s Graduate […]
Interested in #SciPol? Attend Our Webinar for Prospective CCST Science Fellows, Sept. 28th
Are you a scientist or engineer seeking career training in the public policy realm? Want to gain real-world experience working with leaders in the California state government? Then join us on September 28th to learn about our CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship: CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship Virtual Info Session Thursday, September 28, 2017 12:00 p.m. to […]
Life Before #CAleg: 2017 CCST Science Fellows Share Their PhD Pasts (Part 1)
The California State Legislature is back from summer recess! This marks a milestone for the 2017 Class of our CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows — who now enter the final stretch of their year-long fellowship, and begin planning for professional futures in or beyond Sacramento. It’s also a perfect time to look back at […]
CCST Science Fellows Profile: Angee Doerr, PhD, Commander (USNR)
Angee Doerr, PhD, was a CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellow in 2015 and spent her CCST year placed with the California State Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water. She came to the Legislature with her PhD in Ecology from UC Davis, an MBA from American Military University, and a BS from Duke University. […]
CCST Science Fellows Alumni Co-Host #SciPolJobs Sacramento Social, July 20th
How can scientists participate in public policy? Scientists are increasingly exploring policy engagement as a skillset or career path, and Sacramento continues to rise on the global policy landscape. These trends will be the focus of an upcoming professional mixer co-hosted by the CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows Alumni Network and Capital Science Communicators (CapSciComm), […]
CCST Science Fellows in Training: As the Legislative Calendar Turns
Jen Chase, PhD, is a member of the 2017 Class of CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows. She received her PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Michigan, studying the genes which instruct stem cells to form blood cells in humans. She completed her BS in Biochemistry and BA in Spanish at […]
CCST Science Fellows in Training: The Zen of Flexibility and the Capitol Staffer
Laura McWilliams, PhD, is a member of the 2017 Class of CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows. She received her PhD and MS in Chemistry from the University of Oregon, where she studied how gases interact with liquids at industrial and atmospheric surfaces. She completed a master’s certificate at Banaras Hindu University in India, and […]
CCST Science Fellows in Training: From the East Coast to the “Best Coast”
Bao-Ngoc Nguyen, PhD, is a member of the 2017 Class of CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows. She received her PhD in Bioengineering from the University of Maryland, College Park, where she studied methods to regenerate human bone tissue using adult stem cells. Nguyen also received her BS in Bioengineering from the University of Maryland. […]
2010 CCST Science Fellow Ryan McCarthy Is Keynote Speaker at Renewable Natural Gas Symposium, May 17th
UC Riverside will be unveiling its new Center for Renewable Natural Gas at its May 17th Renewable Natural Gas Symposium. The keynote speaker will be Ryan McCarthy ’10, who is currently the Science and Technology Policy Advisor to Chair Mary Nichols of the California Air Resources Board. McCarthy’s placement during his CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship was with the Office of […]
2011 CCST Science Fellow Newsha Ajami Is Keynote Speaker for UC Riverside Water Conference, May 11th
UC Riverside, as part of its Water SENSE NSF-IGERT program, will be hosting its Turbulent Futures conference on May 11th and May 12th in Riverside. The keynote speaker will be Newsha Ajami ’11, who is currently Director of Urban Water Policy at the Stanford Water in the West program, and a Senior Research Associate with the Stanford […]
Public Policy in a Post-Facts World: Amber Mace at Southern California Grantmakers Panel, April 6th
Where do policymakers get reliable science to inform their decisions? CCST Deputy Director Amber Mace PhD has been invited to reflect on this topic at the Southern California Grantmakers Public Policy Conference 2017, to be held in Los Angeles on April 6th. Southern California Grantmakers is a regional association for philanthropists and grantmakers, hosting conferences, trainings, networking […]
CCST Science Fellows Alumni at #ESEP Annual Planning Meeting in Washington DC, March 29th
Estevan Santana ’15 and other CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship alumni will be among the participants of the 2017 Annual Planning Meeting of ESEP — Engaging Scientists & Engineers in Policy — an ad hoc alliance of organizations and individuals interested in empowering scientists and engineers to engage in the policymaking process at all levels of government. ESEP shares training resources, […]
CCST at @UCBerkeley Beyond Academia 2017 Conference in March
The Beyond Academia 2017 Conference hosted at UC Berkeley will feature two speakers from the CCST family. On Thursday, March 2nd, CCST Deputy Director Amber Mace, PhD, will speak on the panel on public sector careers. Then on Friday, March 3rd, 2015 CCST Science Fellow Debra Cooper, PhD, will speak on the panel on public policy careers. Registration is required for the […]
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To engage leading experts in science and technology to advise State policymakers - ensuring that California policy is strengthened and informed by scientific knowledge, research, and innovation.
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