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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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 […]
First Deadline July 18th: CCST Strategic Planning Grants for Policy Fellowships
Dear Friends and Colleagues — The California Council on Science and Technology (CCST), in partnership with the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and the Simons Foundation, is now providing multiple grants for institutions to explore the creation of science and technology policy fellowship programs in their state legislature. We invite you to submit a letter of […]
Fellows Profile: Mark Elsesser, PhD
Mark Elsesser, PhD, was a CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellow in 2013 and spent his CCST year placed with the Office of Assemblymember Ken Cooley (D-Rancho Cordova). He came to the Legislature with a PhD in Chemical Engineering from University of California, Santa Barbara, where he developed methods to synthesize, assemble, and observe a […]
CCST Science Fellows in the News: Snow Day
Water in California is a regular highlight in national news — and recently, CCST Science Fellows were right in the mix. Dan Brumbaugh ’16, John Thompson ’16, and Sarah Carvill ’16 were on hand for the March 30th snow survey conducted by the California Department of Water Resources. They joined Frank Gehrke, the DWR Chief of […]
Fellows in Training: A Day in the Life of John Thompson
John Thompson, PhD, is a member of the 2016 Class of CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows. Thompson received his PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from Northwestern University, where his research focused on the design of metal alloys in coordination with the International Space Station. Thompson received a BS in Physics with a Minor […]
Fellows Profile: Sarah Brady, PhD
Sarah Brady, PhD, was a CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellow in 2014. She came to Sacramento with a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Oregon, where her research focused on how sunlight and heat decomposes plastics. Brady spent her CCST year placed with the Office of Assemblymember Susan Bonilla (D-Concord), where she continues to […]
CCST Science Fellows in the News: An-Chi Tsou Appointed to DCA
Congratulations to An-Chi Tsou ’13 (photo above) on her appointment as Senior Policy Advisor in the Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation at the California Department of Consumer Affairs. Tsou came to the CCST Science Fellows program with a PhD in Bioengineering from the UC Berkeley-UCSF Bioengineering Graduate Program and a BS in Engineering Science from Smith College. Her placement was with the Office […]
Fellows in Training: Movin’ to California
Renita Polk, PhD, is a member of the 2016 Class of CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows. She received her PhD in Human Genetics and Molecular Biology from Johns Hopkins University, where her research sought to reveal the genetics behind congenital heart defects in people with Down syndrome. Polk completed her undergraduate studies in Genetic […]
What Is the California Council on Science and Technology?
You’ve been getting to know our CCST Science Fellows on our blog. With the release of our 2015 Annual Report this month, I invite you to learn a bit about our organization — the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST). CCST is a nonpartisan, impartial, not-for-profit organization established via an Assembly Concurrent Resolution in 1988. We are modeled after the National […]
Pat Callahan Joins CCST as Major Gifts Officer
A seasoned professional in the development and nonprofit community, Pat Callahan has joined the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) as its Major Gifts Officer. Callahan has more than 25 years of experience in fundraising, specializing in major gifts and establishing funding partnerships. She was most recently the Executive Director of the Healthcare Foundation […]
Fellows Profile: Christine Hochmuth Casey, PhD
Christine Hochmuth Casey, PhD, was a CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellow in 2015. Casey was placed in the California State Senate Committee on Transportation and Housing. Casey received her PhD in Biology from the University of Rochester and conducted postdoctoral research at UC San Diego. She is currently a Finance Budget Analyst with the […]
Enter the California State Legislature: Introducing Our 2016 CCST Science Fellows
A new year means new beginnings. And for ten highly accomplished scientists and engineers, 2016 will mean a year of public service and leadership training in the California State Legislature. I am thrilled to introduce to everyone the 2016 Class of our CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship! Our latest Fellowship cohort hail from as far away as Chicago […]
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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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