Nov-Dec 2023
Director’s Update
In her last video message of 2023, Rashada recaps a year of wins for the STPF program as well as opportunities for alumni. Listen in to hear how 2024 will be a year of growth for the STPF Alumni Network. Watch Rashada's video
In the Pacific Northwest, three alumni help build a better world
Amidst the verdant forests and striking coastal cliffs of the Pacific Northwest, three STPF alumni, Anja Malawi Brandon, Ryan Locicero and Graham Pugh, are influencing environmental policy across sectors, from nonprofit work to a regional water resource management utility to a private consulting practice. Read more
2023 in Review: Greetings from the Director
As 2023 draws to a close, now is a good time for reflection. Read about all the things! From program developments, events and new fellows, there was much that came to life for STPF as well as for fellows, partners and supporters. Read more in STPF Director Rashada Alexander’s holiday message.
Only on AlumniEngage
STPF Voices, Visions & Impacts. As we wind down the celebration of STPF@50, be sure to see the brief video reflections of key figures in STPF history including Steven Chu, Nobel Laureate and former U.S. Secretary of Energy; Allison Schwier, Acting Science and Technology Advisor to the Secretary, U.S. Department of State; and Francis Collins, former director of NIH and Acting Science Advisor to the President. Watch now
STPF on LinkedIn
November 16: [Seen on fellow R. Anne Stetler’s feed] “So interesting to have had one foot in research and one foot in the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships at the SFN2023 conference! It has been 17 years since my first time attending SFN, and it was fun to explore new terrain. Researcher in the front, fellow in the back!”
MOVING & SHAKING
MOVING & SHAKING
Tara Schwetz
New NIH Deputy Director for Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives Tara Schwetz (2012-14 NIH fellow) is charged with strategic planning and resource development to better understand NIH portfolios and to launch cross-NIH research initiatives. “I have gained an immense amount from [STPF]—from the amazing experiences and knowledge I’ve gained to the fabulous fellows I’ve recruited and worked with, to the amazing friends I’ve made.” Image: NIH
Lizzie Hunsaker
Congrats to Lizzie Hunsaker (2020-21 Legislative Branch Fellow, 2021-22 Executive Branch Fellow) who was promoted by Sen. Chris Coons to the position of legislative director! “STPF was pivotal in my transition from academia to policy.” As legislative director, Lizzie oversees the Senator's entire policy portfolio and works with the legislative team to advance the Senator’s priorities.
Neeti Pokhriyal
“My experience as a AAAS STPF at the NSF AI Research Institutes program was instrumental in providing me with policy-relevant experience related to supporting innovation in responsible AI technologies.” Neeti Pokhriyal (2022-24 fellow at NSF) is now at RAND’s Engineering and Applied Sciences Department, where she brings her expertise in developing interpretable machine learning models for societal well-being and experience in understanding the biases, ethics, and transparency of these models.
ALUMNI EVENTS
Candid Career Conversations: Changing Sectors Webinar
Virtual | December 5
STPF Regional Alumni Reception
San Francisco | December 13
Denver | February 15-17
STPF ON THE ROAD
Meet STPF staff and/or fellows at these events
San Francisco | December 11-15
San Francisco | January 3-6