Christine Mirzayan Science & Technology Policy

Summer 1997 Fellow Biographies

		Alka Agrawal (BHCS) is a Ph.D. Candidate at Yale University studying site-specific recombination in the immune system. In addition, she has a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the University of Michigan. She is considering several career options including the traditional path of a postdoctoral fellowship and nontraditional paths such as scientific journalism and science policy. Her two main areas of interest are science education and public understanding of science. Alka spent her fellowship working with Mike Stoto, Director of the Board on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, and Clyde Behney, Director of the Board on Health Care Services, in the Institute of Medicine. Contact by email.
		Zachary Alinder (CGER) recently received his master's degree in environmental engineering from Stanford University and will be entering law school in the fall. His B.S., also from Stanford University, is in science, technology, and society. His goal is to become and environmental attorney focusing on environmental justice issues such as representing low-income and minority communities, and working to establish new policies to better protect these communities and their environments. Zachary spent his fellowship working for the Commission on Geosciences Environment and Resources.
		Milton "Van" Blackwood, Jr. (CETS) is a PhD Candidate at Princeton University where he is majoring in chemistry and is earning a certificate in Science, Technology, and Public Policy. His bachelor's degree is in chemistry is from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is interested in developing a more scientifically-literate public and improving the technology transfer between developed and developing country in order to help avert possible health and environmental disasters in the developing world. His career goal is to work in science and technology policy. Van spent his fellowship working for the Commission on Engineering and Technical Systems.
		Michele D. Blum (CSMEE) received a B.A. in Biology in 1986 from Lafayette College in Easton, PA where she also minored in Government and Law. She attended Cornell University Graduate School of Medical Sciences in New York, NY where she received a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology in 1994. She is currently a postdoctoral fellow in the Laboratory of Human Behavior and Metabolism at The Rockefeller University in New York, NY where she investigates the molecular genetic basis for obesity and type II diabetes. Michele spent her fellowship working at the Center for Science, Mathematics and Engineering Education in the Division of K-12 Science Education on a new web site for scientists interested in becoming involved in K-12 science education and on an addendum to the National Science Education Standards on scientific inquiry. Contact by email.
		Johannes "Jannie" Botes (ONPI) is a PhD Candidate at George Mason University where he is majoring in conflict analysis and resolution specializing in the role of the media in international conflict and international conflict resolution in Africa. Prior to coming to the United States, he produced and anchored the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) network's nightly public affairs program for 7 years. He is interested in developing a career as a social science researcher or consultant for companies whose clients are mainly government institutions. Jannie spent his fellowship working for the Office of News and Public Information.
		Ann Keller (NAE) is a PhD Candidate in Political Science at the University of California, Berkeley. She has a master's degree in political science also from Berkeley as well as a mathematics and political science degree from the University of Indiana. She is particularly interested in health policy and environmental conservation. Following the fellowship she plans to begin field work on her dissertation in Washington. Her long-term career goals are to conduct research and teach with a specific focus on the use of science in public decision-making and the administration of environmental and health policy. Anne spent her fellowship working for the National Academy of Engineering.
		Regis Krah (CLS) is a post-doctoral fellow at the National Institutes of Health. He received his PhD in Microbiology/Molecular Biology from the Medical College of Virginia. His B.S. in Chemistry is from Virginia Wesleyan College. He is interested in gaining a better understanding of the interaction between government and science so that he can step back from bench research and move into a position that combines his training as a scientist with his desire to serve the public. Regis spent his fellowship working for the Commission on Life Sciences.
		Colby Mills (OPUS)will be a PhD candidate at George Mason University where he is specializing in clinical psychology and will receive a master's degree. He has a B.S. in psychology/neuroscience from Duke University. He is particularly interested in policy which promotes the efficient delivery of effective mental health interventions as well as clear communication of science to the public. After completing his doctorate, he plans to work in family-based treatment of children. Colby spent his fellowship working closely with Donna Gerardi, Director, at the Office of Public Understanding of Science.
		Concepcion "Marie" Nierras (OSEP) is a post-doctoral fellow at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She has a PhD in Genetics from the University of Wisconsin Madison and a B.S. in Biology from the University of the Phillipines. Prior to her current post-doc position, she was a post-doc in the plan sciences department of Oxford University. She is interested in the situation of post-docs and has recently been involved in an institution-wide survey of postdoctoral fellows. Her career goal is to find a position that utilizes her scientific training and communication skills to interpret scientific and technical advances to a broad, non-scientists audience and is exploring positions from science editing to patent research. Marie spent her fellowship working for the Office of Scientific and Engineering Personnel.
		Bryan Olthof (OCGA) is a Master's Candidate in Chemical Engineering at the University of California Berkeley. His B.S., also in Chemical Engineering, is from Cornell University. He is interested in combining his engineering background with his interest in public policy. Bryan spent his fellowship working for Jim Jensen in the Office of Congressional and Government Affairs (OCGA), doing legislative history research as well as coordinating Congressional briefings with Mr. Jensen. His interests are in international relations and international development and the science/technology policy issues involved in both. His career goal is to bring an engineering perspective to government agencies which regulate the environment, develop energy strategies, or oversee scientific research.
		Pratima Raghunathan (OIA) has a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of California, San Francisco and a B.S. in Biochemistry from Yale. After completing the internship, she earned an MPH in Epidemiology from the UC Berkeley School of Public Health. She is a cofounder and the current Executive Director of Sustainable Sciences Institute, a nonprofit organization that strengthens scientific capacity in developing countries. Pratima spent her fellowship working for the Office of International Affairs. Contact by email.
		Marty Riche (BA) is a PhD Candidate specializing in fish nutrition at Michigan State University. He also has a B.S. in Fisheries Biology from Humboldt State University and a MS. specializing in aquatic animal nutrition from Purdue University. He is particularly interested in environmental issues surrounding aquaculture, ethics in science, the effects of trade treaties, human and animal nutrition policies, and the regulatory atmosphere related to chemical and drug use in aquaculture and aquatic species. He has worked with the Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Forest Service, and as a volunteer with the Peace Corps. He is now interested in pursuing a career in research and teaching. Marty spent his fellowship working closely with Charlotte Kirk Baer of the Board on Agriculture (BA).
		Ann Roberts (BCYF) is a PhD Candidate specializing in Quantitative Community Psychology at New York University. Her bachelor's degree in psychology and philosophy is from Swarthmore College. Prior to entering New York University, she managed an alternative-to detention and community projects for felony defendants program for Vera Institute of Justice and spent two years living and working in Kenya and the Dominican Republic. Her primary interest are in the effects of poverty and cultural differences on human development, particularly the relationship between adolescent antisocial behavior and neighborhood and family factors. Her career goal is to research human behavior in natural, applied settings and to design, provide, and evaluate direct community-based prevention services. Ann spent her fellowship working closely with Rosemary Chalk, Deputy Director, at the Board on Children, Youth, and Families in the Commission on Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education.
		Elizabeth Scharl (PD) is a post-doctoral fellow at Yale University focusing on isolating proteins. Her PhD, also from Yale, is in molecular biophysics and biochemistry and her B.S. in Biochemistry is from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. She is interested in a career involved in advising government on policy decisions and participating in the creation of science and technology policy. Liz spent her fellowship working for the Policy Division. Contact by email.
		Jameson "Jamey" Wetmore (TRB) is a PhD candidate specializing in Science and Technology Studies at Cornell University. While attaining his bachelor's degree, from the University of Notre Dame, he majored in liberal studies and minored in science, technology, and values. He is interested in how technology and science are incorporated into and affect society particularly in the area of transportation technologies. Jamey spent his fellowship working for the Transportation Research Board. Contact by email.