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!

Media Information

Media Kit

Get News Via Email!

Find Out What's New

Jan 22, 2016

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), […]

Jan 13, 2016

Enter the California State Legislature: Introducing Our 2016 CCST Science Fellows

The 2016 Class of the CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows. From left: Emily Berry, Diana Lin, John Thompson, Esha Mathew, Erin Arms, Matt Dumlao, Renita Polk, Dan Brumbaugh, Gabby Nepomuceno, Sarah Carvill.

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 […]

Jan 13, 2016

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 […]

Jan 11, 2016

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. […]

Jan 6, 2016

Webinar: Informational Session for CCST Fellowship Applicants, Jan. 13th

The Seal of the State of California, as photographed on the West Steps of the State Capitol. Image credit: Ben Young Landis/CCST

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. […]

Dec 23, 2015

Fellows in the Field: Farewell, 2015 Science Fellows!

Members of the 2015 Class of CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows tour the California State Capitol.

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 […]

Dec 1, 2015

California Program Sends Scientists to Sacramento, Training PhD’s as Capitol Staffers

The California State Capitol building in winter.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California’s State Legislature is looking for a few good scientists to trade their lab coats for business suits, and swap molecules and equations for committee hearings and bill analyses. That’s the opportunity being offered by the CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship, led by the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST). […]

Nov 30, 2015

Help CCST Make California Stronger with Science on #GivingTuesday

Do you donate to your favorite causes and organizations on #GivingTuesday? “Giving Tuesday” is a global day of giving created in 2012 that seeks to harness the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy. It has become a rallying point for nonprofits and charities for annual giving. As part of #GivingTuesday and […]

Nov 25, 2015

Fellows Profile: Debra Cooper, PhD

Debra Cooper, PhD, was a CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellow in 2015. Cooper was placed in the California State Senate Office of Research (SOR), where she was hired as a Policy Consultant halfway through her Fellowship. Cooper received her PhD in Neuroscience from Emory University, where she studied medications to help reduce relapse to […]

Nov 23, 2015

Fellows Profile: Nathan Phillips, PhD

CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows touring the top of the State Capitol building.

Nathan Phillips, PhD, was a CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellow in 2014, and his placement was in the California State Senate Transportation and Housing Committee with then-Chair Mark DeSaulnier. He is currently a Professor of Earth and Environment at Boston University, and had applied to the Fellowship on sabbatical from his post. Phillips received […]

Nov 23, 2015

Fellows in Training: National Conference on State Legislatures

Vivian Ericson, PhD, was a CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellow in 2015. She received her Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Physiology from Stanford University, and her placement was in the Office of Assemblymember Cristina Garcia. Since the Fellowship, she has continued to work as a Legislative Aide with the Office of Assemblymember Garcia. [February […]

Nov 23, 2015

Stronger with Science

Ceiling of the Capitol Building rotunda, in Sacramento, California.

Amber Mace, PhD, is the Deputy Director of the California Council on Science and Technology, and she oversees the CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows program. Mace formerly served as the Executive Director of California Ocean Protection Council and as Assistant Secretary for Coastal Matters at the California Natural Resources Agency, after serving as a Sea Grant […]