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 decision makers 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 and Executive Branch make the most informed decisions for the state’s citizens and resources, the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) established the CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows program.
Now in its eleventh year, the CCST Science Fellows program helps the California State Legislature and Executive Branch 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, decision maker, 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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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 […]
CCST Science Fellows in Training: Day on the Delta
Anna Reade, PhD, is a member of the 2017 Class of CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows. She received her PhD in Developmental Biology from UCSF, where she used laser microscopes to study molecular signaling critical to proper embryo growth and formation. Reade completed her BS in Cell and Developmental Biology at UC Santa Barbara. […]
CCST Science Fellows Alumni Organize Science Policy Session for 2017 #AAASmtg in Boston
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) will host its 2017 Annual Meeting in Boston this coming weekend, February 16th through 20th. The conference theme this year is a fitting one for CCST — “Serving Society Through Science Policy” — and CCST staff, CCST Science Fellows, and Science Fellows alumni will be participating. Join us […]
UC San Diego Career Night, January 23rd: CCST Deputy Director Amber Mace, PhD
Are you a UC San Diego graduate student, postdoc, or faculty member curious about career futures in science policy? We have an event for you. The UCSD Graduate Student Association will host CCST Deputy Director Amber Mace, PhD, at their next GrAdvantage Career Night. Come hear about Amber’s own experience transitioning from academic research to a […]
CCST Science Fellows Info Session at @UCSantaBarbara, January 27th
Are you a UC Santa Barbara graduate student, postdoc, or faculty member curious about career training in science policy? We have an event for you. The UCSB Graduate Division and the UCSB Center for Science and Engineering Partnerships will host an info session on the CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship on Friday, January 27th, […]
From the Lab Bench to the Legislature: Welcome Our 2017 CCST Science Fellows
Dear Friends and Colleagues, What does public service and social impact mean to you? For nine PhD scientists, making impact and serving the public will mean a year of training and working as legislative staff in the California State Legislature in 2017. I am thrilled to officially introduce the 2017 Class of our CCST Science […]
Farewell, CCST Science Fellows! The 2016 Fellowship Year, in a Drought-Tolerant, Sun-Soaked Nutshell
Emily Berry, PhD, and Gabriella Nepomuceno, PhD, are members of the 2016 Class of CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows. Berry received her PhD in Cell Biology from UC San Francisco and conducted her thesis research at the Gladstone Institutes, where she studied how factors important during normal heart development can be leveraged to improve […]
Embark on a Science Policy Experience in the California State Legislature as a CCST Science Fellow
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Council on Science and Technology is now accepting applications for the 2018 Class of the CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship. Completed applications are due on February 28th, 2017. The CCST Science Fellows program is open to those holding a PhD or equivalent degree in science and engineering, and in social science […]
Help the CCST Science Fellows This #GivingTuesday
At CCST, we believe in science, and having science inform California’s policies. If you also believe that science has a role in our society and in our government, then we invite you to become a Friend of CCST this #GivingTuesday! Programs like our CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship are funded entirely through philanthropic giving from charitable foundations […]
CCST Science Fellows in the Field: DC Connections
With September’s arrival, schools are back in session, and so is the U.S. Congress. And with that, we have many updates with Washington DC connections to share from our CCST Science Fellows alumni! Let’s take a look at this roundup of Capitol-to-Capitol news. We first want to extend our congratulations and farewells to Erin Arms ’16 and Estevan […]
Webinar: Info Session for Prospective CCST Science Fellows, Sept. 14th
If you’re a scientist or engineer who is exploring career training in the public policy realm, then please join us for our upcoming webinar to learn about our CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship: CCST Science Fellows Program Info Session Wednesday, September 14, 2016 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Pacific Registration Link: https://cc.readytalk.com/r/111ihxcbha91&eom Share on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/306298773074808/ We’ll provide […]
Fellows in Training: Getting Guidance at Career Crossroads
Sarah Carvill, PhD, is a member of the 2016 Class of CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows. She received a BA and PhD in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Cruz, where her dissertation focused on timber policy and water quality on California’s North Coast. In addition, Carvill holds an MS from University of Montana, where […]
Fellows in Training: Dan Brumbaugh Comes Home to California
Dan Brumbaugh, PhD, is a member of the 2016 Class of CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows. He received his PhD in Zoology from the University of Washington, where his research focused on how marine organisms adapt to their environments. Immediately before coming to Sacramento, Brumbaugh was a researcher at the University of California, Santa […]
Fellows Profile: Neela Babu, PhD
Neela Babu, PhD, was a CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellow in 2013 and spent her CCST year placed with the Office of Assemblymember Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley, 2008-2014). She came to the Legislature with her PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Cornell University, where she designed environmental water resource systems. Babu is based in […]
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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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