Christine Mirzayan Science & Technology Policy

Fall 2002 Fellow Biographies

		Emily Anderson (DELS/WSTB) recently received her Master's degree in Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She previously earned a Bachelor's in the same subject at Northwestern University. After finishing her NAS fellowship, she will begin an Associate Engineer position with Montgomery Watson Harza in their Cleveland office, working on the initial design and construction of water and wastewater treatment plants. Emily eventually plans to obtain an advanced degree in Urban and Regional Planning and Development with an emphasis on international development. She is particularly concerned with water and sanitation needs in developing countries and international policy regarding these issues. Also, for the past eleven years, Emily has dedicated much of her time to promoting Debate and Forensics activities. Recognizing that the skills used in debate will help shape those future leaders who will contribute to our Nation's public policy, she has advocated the use of critical thinking skills, analytical education, philosophical inquiry, and political theory as both a debate competitor and a coach. Contact by email.
		Francisca Boateng (PGA/CHR) recently received her Master's degree in Law (LL.M) from Temple University Beasley School of Law. She previously earned a Bachelor's in Law from University of Ghana, Legon. Francisca is a highly-motivated individual and is enthusiastic in working to ensure the advancement and empowerment of women in Africa. Francisca is a member of the Ghana Bar Association. Before attending Temple Law School, she worked as an attorney with Akuetteh Kudoadzi & Co., a law firm in Accra, Ghana. She also volunteered with the Ghana branch of the African Women Lawyers Association in their legal training programs. She strongly believes that effective advocacy is the surest way to influence policy at the governmental level. In this age of technological advancement, she believes this cannot be achieved unless there is a sound understanding of the inter-play between science and technology and law. In her spare time, Francisca enjoys playing racquetball and hanging out with friends. Contact by email
		Ruxandra Floroiu (DELS/NDR) is a PhD candidate in Environmental Engineering at the University of Maryland, where she also earned her Master’s in the same subject. She previously received a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering from Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest, Romania. She is originally from Romania. In 1990 she viewed herself joining the only environmental program in the country as the best way to explore the technical and regulatory aspects of environmental protection. The World Bank internship position she held last summer was a huge opportunity for her to get an insider’s view of the challenges that people at work, outside the laboratory, face every day, as well as of the clients and types of environmental problems on which they are working in developing countries. She views the Fall 2002 fellowship with the NDR group at NAS as a great opportunity to learn more about environmental policies and regulations. Contact by email.
		Seth Hauser (DBASSE/CNSTAT) is a PhD candidate in Sociology at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He previously earned Masters degrees there in both Sociology and Statistics. His dissertation research focuses on trends in socioeconomic stratification and the advantage of Communist Party membership in the People’s Republic of China since the introduction of economic reforms. After the fellowship, Seth plans to continue working part-time with the Committee on National Statistics while he finishes his dissertation. Seth’s post-doctoral plans have yet to be determined. Any ideas? Contact by email.
		Vikram Kaku (DEPS/NMAB) is a Master’s candidate in Mechanical Engineering at Temple University. He previously earned a Bachelor’s in the same subject at the University of Mumbai, India. As a graduate student, he received Research assistantship for working on a project related to oil spills funded by US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Vikram hopes to pursue a PhD at a top university and then become a leading researcher. He is sincere and hard-working student, is good at working in a team, and likes to work in challenging environments. He believes this fellowship will broaden his knowledge in the field of Biomaterials. He would like to work in the field of theoretical and computational material science and develop better models for future materials. Contact by email.
		Thomas Libert (PGA/STEP/GUIRR) recently graduated with a Masters in Public Policy from Georgetown University. While there he emphasized health policy and has been working the office of Senator Ron Wyden. He got interested in health policy while in a PhD program at the University of Pennsylvania. After three years he decided to take his masters and follow his passion for policy and politics to Washington, DC where he was an National Academies Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellow. Outside of work, he is interested in literature, basketball, mountain climbing, has his private pilot's license, and is an avid cook. Contact by email. (Updated 9/05)
		Steve Meyer (NAE/NAE PO) is a Master's candidate in Technology Education at the University of Wisconsin Stout, Menomonie. He previously earned a Bachelor's in Physics from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Steve has a very broad-based education in mathematics, the sciences, and technology and believes strongly in the need for technological literacy for everyone. In his career so far, he has been very involved in technology issues at the local, state, and national levels. For the past two years, Steve has been teaching Technology Education along with coaching football and track at Nekoosa High School in Nekoosa, Wisconsin. Steve is currently working with the NAE on the Technological Literacy Assessment project. In January, Steve will be teaching at the University of Wisconsin Stout as a Technology Education, teacher educator. Steve also has a consulting company entitled Technological Literacy Consulting (TLC), which specializes in educational consulting and public speaking. Contact by email.
		Stacey Speer (PGA/STL) is preparing to be a Master’s candidate in Forensic Science at George Washington University. She previously earned a Bachelor’s in Biomedical Engineering from The University of Tennessee. She has a strong science and engineering background and hopes she can contribute her experiences and ideas while staying open-minded to others. She also hopes to contribute her positive attitude and willingness to work hard. In her spare time, Stacey plays soccer for a local coed league. She also enjoys camping and mountain biking. Contact by email.
		Kenya Stokes (NAS/M.E. Koshland Science Museum) is a PhD candidate in Physiology at North Carolina State University. She previously earned a Bachelor's in Applied Biology from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Kenya is a past participant in a National Science Foundation sponsored pre-college science education program. As a graduate student, she received a Department of Education's Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) Fellowship in Biotechnology and a National Institutes of Health Pre-doctoral Intramural Research Training Fellowship. After completion of her degree, Kenya would like to incorporate her experience in developing science exhibits for the Koshland museum with her interest in science education. She plans to teach at the collegiate level and help develop and implement science summer programs for pre-college and undergraduate students. In her spare time, Kenya mentors middle and high school girls through the Women in Math and Science Program. She has recently taken up black and white photography and is learning to cook. Contact by email.
		Jonathan Tucker (PGA/COSEPUP) is a PhD candidate in Public Policy at George Mason University. He previously earned a Master’s in Science and Technology Studies from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Jonathan has a substantial background in policy research in the science and technology policy field. This includes his work as a PhD student. While at George Mason University, he has done analyses and helped prepare reports on policy research for the National Science Foundation’s Engineering Research Centers Program and the Virginia Center for Innovative Technology. He also has experience, having worked at the state and federal levels, both for public agencies and as a consultant. Contact by email.
		Christopher Yang (DEPS/BEES) Is a PhD candidate in Mechanical Engineering at Princeton University. He previously earned a Master’s in Environmental Engineering at Stanford University. Christopher has a strong interest in how things work, from a fundamental interest in the processes of energy conversion to a broader interest in the earth and environment as an interconnected system and how energy technologies and choices can impact the environment. He is excited to combine his interest and understanding of these subjects with the social and political context of how science can influence the decision making process. He would like to develop and teach courses in energy conversion processes and environmental problems, especially for non-technical students. He enjoys traveling, playing guitar and outdoor activities such as hiking, camping and rock climbing. Contact by email.