Christine Mirzayan Science & Technology Policy

Fall 2004 Fellow Biographies

Corinne J. Bassin (NASEO/KSM) is pursuing a MS in marine science at the University of California, Santa Barbara, in an interdisciplinary program with a focus on physical oceanography.  She was a recipient of the California Space grant which allowed her to continue her research on coastal transport processes and submesoscale ocean phenomenon using remote sensing techniques.  She received her BS in mathematics and applied science from the University of California, Los Angeles.  She had previously taken part in a NSF undergraduate research fellowship at Scripps Institution of Oceanography where she worked on modeling the mantle under North America.  She enjoyed working on public programming and exhibits at the Koshland Science Museum during her fellowship.  She will be finishing up her masters shortly and pursuing a career is science policy or education. She spends her weekends backpacking through the California Mountains and attempts to pursue rock-climbing, dance, and photography when free moments arise. Contact by email.

Emilie W. Clemmens (DEPS/SSB) earned a PhD in bioengineering in December 2003 from University of Washington.  She earned her BS in chemical engineering from the University of Kentucky.  Emilie’s dissertation research was aimed at understanding molecular level differences between cardiac and skeletal muscles, and she engineered a system to measure in vitro muscle protein mechanics.   Emilie is also the co-founder and organizer of the Forum on Science Ethics & Policy (FOSEP), which is a new organization dedicated to promoting dialogue in the Seattle area between scientists, policy experts, legislators, and the general public on timely issues concerning the ethics and policy of scientific research.  Emilie feels that learning how the National Academies contributes to the federal government’s procedures for obtaining and processing information from scientific research is critical in her development as a science policy professional. She also enjoys volunteering for local political campaigns, cycling around the beautiful Puget Sound, and practicing calligraphy. Contact by email.

Rachel F. Fezzie (DEPS/NMAB & BEMA) is an Advisory Scientist at Strategic Analysis, Inc.  In her job, she provides scientific expertise to DARPA, helping them to develop new research programs for biodefense.  She earned her PhD in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of California, Berkeley where she a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow. Her thesis research was on the structural biology of bacterial condensin proteins. She also served on the graduate admissions committee and conducted a semester-length course on career planning for bioscientists.  She completed her BS in biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where her work on protein folding earned her the John L. Asinari Award for outstanding undergraduate research in the field of life sciences.  While at the National Academies, Rachel branched out and worked with the National Materials Advisory Board on a project that had very little to do with biology and everything to do with nanotechnology.  She enjoys hiking, biking, and spending time with her husband and two children. 
(Updated 05/06)

M. Crina Frincu (PGA/COSEPUP) expects to receive her PhD in bioorganic chemistry and materials science at Georgetown University by the end of this year.  Her doctoral research focuses on elucidating cholesterol crystal growth mechanisms, as they relate to human disease. Crina’s research has been presented at national and international conferences, allowing her brief immersions into different cultures while talking chemistry.  She has received multiple awards, including the Innovation Award at the Georgetown University Graduate Student Research Fair.  A fellowship from the French Government allowed her to do research at Université de Provence at Marseilles, contributing to her MS thesis in physical organic chemistry from University of Bucharest, Romania.  She perceived the fellowship as an excellent way to explore alternate career paths before committing herself to a certain field, helping her learn more about the synergistic interaction between science, technology and government.  It also led her to make an informed decision, and now she is looking forward for a postdoctoral experience at NIH, while planning to stay connected to the science policy world. For the last three years, Crina has volunteered at St. Sophia Cathedral’s Biannual Festival in Washington, DC where she utilized her people, language and cooking skills.  When not working, Crina can be found canoeing on the many waterways around Washington, DC. Contact by email..

Benjamin Gross (DEPS/NMAB) is a MRS/OSA fellow working in the office of Congressman Rush Holt (D-NJ).  Ben earned his B.S. in chemistry at the University of California at Berkeley and his Ph.D. in physical chemistry at Columbia University. His thesis research examined the development of solid state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy methods for application in structural biology. Prior to his thesis work he spent two years studying molecular electronic materials by single molecule spectroscopy and ultra-microscopy techniques. Ben was a National Academies fellow in the fall of 2004, after which he worked as a post-doc in his former graduate lab. He spent a year and a half teaching physical chemistry to senior level undergraduates and is a member of the Columbia Chemistry Careers Committee, which brings in chemistry Ph.D.'s to speak of their careers outside of academic research. He feels that the Academies fellowship was invaluable in helping to prepare him for a career in science policy or government.
(Updated 06/06)

Sarah Hunt (NAE/CASEE) is in the process of obtaining her PhD in ecological and environmental anthropology from the University of Georgia. Her research focuses on the relationship between technological innovation and environmentalism. With education and research experiences in biology, ecology, anthropology, policy and engineering, Sarah’s career plans include being a research professor who will work to join the social and natural sciences by bridging between basic and applied research. Contact by email..

Abby McDermott Kurtz (DELS/WSTB) earned a double degree with a MS in hydrogeology and an MS in water resource management at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She received her B.A. in geology from Hamilton College. Abby’s M.S. research in hydrogeology concerned the relationship of wetland geochemistry and groundwater surface water interactions to the distribution of native plants. For her water resources degree, she participated in a project that included designing an updated storm water management plan for the University of Wisconsin, which was later approved and adopted by the Chancellor and Provost of the University. In addition she worked with graduate students and faculty to compile a comprehensive internet based database of Wisconsin state water policies to aid in the development of better water regulation and legislation. Her career goals include working toward better conservation, regulation, and public understanding of water resources issues. In her free time, she enjoys playing basketball and softball as well as cooking and traveling. Contact by email..

Karen Lai (DELS/BCST) earned her PhD in chemical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, where she was also a National Science Foundation fellow. She received her B.S. in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Before coming to the National Academies, she worked as a part-time instructor in the chemistry department at Skyline College in San Bruno, California. Karen has also volunteered for the Public Library of Science (PloS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to maintaining free and open access to scientific publications for both scientists and the general public. Karen is intellectually and socially invested in following the advancements made in the fields of chemistry, chemical engineering, and biomedical engineering. She would like to ensure that the nature of these applications is well-understood by both the general public and lawmakers in order to allow the full potential of these applications to be fully utilized. In her free time, she likes to read, cook, travel, and try out new hobbies such as photography and woodworking. For contact information, please contact the Policy Fellowship Office at policyfellows@nas.edu.

Emily Lamond (DBASSE/CEGIS) is currently working on an Academies report on the ethical issues surrounding research on housing-based health hazards involving children as research subjects. She recently completed her JD and Master of Studies in Environmental Law from Vermont Law School (VLS). At VLS, she received the International Academy of Trial Lawyer's Association Advocacy Award and was an Albert Schweitzer Fellow. She also worked with Darmouth College's Center for Environmental Health Sciences on a research project on childhood lead poisoning prevention policies. Emily is enjoying her time at the Academies, being a part of the analysis of policy implications of scientific and technological advancements. Her time as a Fellow provides a great opportunity to use her newly acquired legal skills of research and writing, and analysis of law, policies, ethical issues, and social justice concerns. Her career goals are to analyize environmental and public health laws and bioethical issues and to advocate on behalf of underserved populations. Contact by email..

Rachel MacCoss (PGA/COSEPUP) is expecting to receive her PhD in organic chemistry at the University of Cambridge, UK this December. Her topics of study include the development of innovative methodology applying polymer-supported reagents to the synthesis of carbohydrate derivatives and the natural product (-)-mitragynine. As a scientist, Rachel is concerned with the cutting edge developments that occur in our nation and how they reflect our world wide leadership in science. She also acknowledges that the value of research outside of the scientific world is an integral part in improving many aspects of life, including environment, health care, national security, and agriculture. Ultimately, she anticipates this fellowship opportunity will facilitate a shift from laboratory research to a career with a federal agency or disciplinary society to assist in influencing scientific policy. After this fellowship, Rachel has accepted a post-doctoral position in organic chemistry at Princeton University. Contact by email..

Courtney Slack (DELS/BRER) recently received her MS degree in environmental and radiological health sciences with interdisciplinary studies in science communication at Colorado State University. For her master’s research Courtney worked on a Risk Assessment at Los Alamos National Laboratory on the development of a stakeholder participation process where stakeholders play a role in making future decisions about clean up activities at the facility. Courtney's career ambition is to utilize her scientific expertise to contribute to the interface between the scientific community and the general public. Specifically she is interested in translating scientific information for the broader public in hopes of promoting a public understanding of science and environmental issues. Courtney plans to return to Colorado following the Fellowship program and pursue a career in science communication, or emergency response and preparedness. Contact by email..

Anna Stavla (PGA/STEP-STL) has recently received her Master of Laws in International Law from the George Washington University Law School. Not only has she studied in Germany, where she received a law certificate at Georg-August University Law School, but also in Greece at Aristotle University, where she received her degree in law. While in Greece, Anna also participated in a rehabilitation program run by a group of psychiatrists in collaboration with a law professor for prisoners with mental disorders. While participating in the fellowship, she would like to familiarize herself with novel issues that arise from the scientific bloom and necessitate adaptive responses from the legal system. Anna is looking forward to acquiring knowledge and experience on scientific findings related to law, thus rendering her capable of better dealing with such issues in the course of her law practice. Her long-term goal is to become a scholar of international law and contribute to international cooperation. Contact by email..

Janice Tsai (NAE/CDEW) expects to earn an Masters degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS) at Rutgers University next Spring.  At Rutgers, she was an Eagleton Fellow at the Eagleton Institute of Politics, where she studied the practice of politics, agenda-setting, lobbying, and communications in government.  She completed her BA in Mathematical Methods in the Social Sciences and Political Science (MMSS) and political science at Northwestern University.  Her current research focuses on electronic voting, specifically software security and standards for voting systems as well as the accessibility of information over the Internet. This past summer, Janice worked in the New Jersey Office of Legislative Services Library designing databases and gaining experience in research and legislation drafting in a state legislature.  Prior to her return to graduate school, she spent two years working at IBM, designing network architectures for web hosting systems. While at IBM, she volunteered as a mentor at the IBM EXITE Technology Camp for girls and as an eMentor with the Chicago Public Schools. Her career goal is to help develop and guide technology policy by providing research, quantitative analysis, and experience, especially in the areas of intellectual freedom and copyright, information security, and collaborative research. She plans on pursuing an advanced degree in Public Policy next fall. She plays the mandolin and the violin, and will attend attending Irish music sessions in the DC area. She looks foward to living in a city again and plans on biking to work and knitting. Contact by email..

Richard C. Yeh (PGA/COSEPUP) expects to complete his PhD in physics from Cornell University, where he investigated a method to improve the efficiency of DNA hybridization on microarrays. Previously at Cornell, for his MS in physics, he built a system to automate experiments in single-molecule biophysics. He received his BS in physics from Caltech. Richard served on Cornell University's Asian and Asian-American Campus Climate Task Force, which studied reasons for low satisfaction and high suicide rates among these groups of students. As a Christine Mirzayan Science & Technology Policy Graduate Fellow, Richard did background research for an NSF-funded study on advanced research instrumentation, including the collection of biographical information on dozens of potential committee members and the sorting of various scientific instrumentation funding programs available from government agencies. Richard's current goals are to find an area of applied scientific or technological research with which he can fall passionately in love and at which he can excel. Contact by email..