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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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 […]
Stanford University Info Session for CCST Fellowship Applicants, Jan. 29th
If you’re a scientist or engineer who is exploring opportunities in the public policy realm, join us for our upcoming information session at Stanford University to learn about the CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship: CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship Brown Bag Info Session Friday, January 29, 2016 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Pacific Medical School Office Building (MSOB), […]
Enter the California State Legislature: Introducing Our 2016 CCST Science Fellows
Amber Mace, PhD, is the Deputy Director of the California Council on Science and Technology and a Policy Fellow at the UC Davis Policy Institute. Mace formerly served as the Executive Director of California Ocean Protection Council and Assistant Secretary for Coastal Matters at the California Natural Resources Agency, after serving as a Sea Grant […]
Fellows in Training: A Night of Improv
Esha Mathew, PhD, is a member of the 2016 Class of CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows. She received her PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Michigan, where she studied pancreatic cancer and also earned a graduate certificate in Science, Technology, and Public Policy. Mathew’s Fellowship placement is with Assemblymember Jose […]
Networking Social with CCST Science Fellows and Capital Science Communicators, Jan. 20th
At the heart of policymaking is effective communication, and enabling scientists and engineers to concisely communicate complex issues is a key component of our CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship experience. This is why once again, CCST is teaming up with the Capital Science Communicators (CapSciComm) for a professional networking social: CCST & CapSciComm Networking Social Wednesday, January 20, 2016 6:00 p.m. […]
Webinar: Informational Session for CCST Fellowship Applicants, Jan. 13th
It’s the start of a new year, and time to make new plans. If you’re a scientist or engineer who is exploring opportunities in the public policy realm, join us for our upcoming webinar to learn about the CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship: CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship Informational Session Wednesday, January 13, 2016 12:00 p.m. […]
Fellows in the Field: Farewell, 2015 Science Fellows!
Shannon Muir, PhD, is a member of the 2015 Class of CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows. She received her PhD in Biomedical Sciences from University of California, San Diego, where she studied the genetic mechanism behind a rare form of pediatric cancer, and served as the Graduate Student Representative for the University of California […]
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To engage leading experts in science and technology to advise State decision makers - ensuring that California policy is strengthened and informed by scientific knowledge, research, and innovation.
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