Christine Mirzayan Science & Technology Policy

Summer 2004 Fellow Biographies

Victoria Blaho (IOM/HSP) is pursing a PhD in molecular microbiology and immunology at the University of Missouri, where she also received a BS in biochemistry. As a budding scientist in the field of Lyme arthritis, Victoria has learned about the effects of policy upon individuals suffering from a disease with diverse and difficult to diagnose symptoms. Her research concentrates on the regulation of disease outcome and how the use of popular arthritis medications and painkillers can adversely affect the resolution phase of Lyme arthritis. Because of her interest in the immunological effects of commonly used medications, it will be beneficial to experience the decision-making processes behind the selection of policy guidelines regarding medicine and healthcare policy. She believes that the fellowship will allow her make a positive contribution at the National Academies, and in return, she expects to gain a perspective on the shaping of policy that will benefit her throughout her career. In her free time, Victoria volunteers with the Veteran’s Administration and Boone County Council on Aging. Contact by email.

Timothy Brennan (IOM/BGH) is enrolled in a joint MD and MPH program at Tulane University School of Medicine. His MPH concentration is in International Health and Development. He received a BS in Foreign Service from Georgetown University. Tim returns to the Institute of Medicine where he previously worked as a research assistant at the National Cancer Policy Board. The IOM experience enabled him to witness health care policy on the front-lines and influenced his decision to pursue a dual MD/MPH program. Tim envisions a medical career that allows him to combine his passion for foreign affairs policy with cutting-edge medical science. Tim aspires to a career as a Medical Officer for the US Department of State in order to incorporate his interest in medicine with his desire to live and work abroad. A member of the track team in college, Tim enjoys participating in local road races. He also enjoys cheering for Boston-area sports teams. Tim is absolutely certain that he wants to be a health care policy maker and that the National Academies is just the place to continue his journey. Contact by email.

Michelle Chavis (DELS/BCST) expects to receive an MSc degree in chemical engineering from Howard University in Washington, DC, this August. She also received her BS in the same field of study at Howard. She has a special interest in the field of materials science focusing on nanotechnology research and plans to pursue her PhD in chemical engineering/material science. As a Robert F. Kennedy Fellow (2002-2003) she learned first-hand about education conditions of at risk youth in an urban environment which fostered her continued interest in working with students in the community. She currently serves as a volunteer/mentor at a juvenile detention center in Virginia where she counsels young adults and helps to prepare them for life outside of the detention center. As engineering and scientific disciplines merge, Michelle looks forward to this fellowship as an avenue to broaden her interdisciplinary perspective as well as her own professional growth. Contact by email.

Melissa Cole (DELS/DR) is pursuing an MSc at the Harvard School of Public Health.  Her areas of concentration are society, human development and health with a sub-concentration in disaster management and emergency response.  She earned a BA in human development from Boston College prior to becoming an Epidemiology Fellow at the New York City Department of Health, studying tuberculosis exposures in congregate settings.  Additionally, she worked at NIH as a Clinical Project Manager conducting pain management research with Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging.  While fellowing at the National Research Council's Disasters Roundtable, Melissa helped to organize the Public Health Risks of Disasters: Capacity Building to Respond workshop for 22 expert speakers and over 200 attendees.  She authored two chapters of the conference summary, scheduled for publication in September 2004.  In addition, Melissa developed and presented future Disasters Roundtable workshop topics for consideration by the steering committee.  After completing her degree, Melissa would like to pursue a Ph.D. in Crisis, Emergency, and Risk Management to better prepare her for a leadership role in U.S. and international emergency response. Contact by email.

Carolyn Cunningham (NAE/CDEW) is pursuing a PhD in Radio-Television-Film in the College of Communications at the University of Texas at Austin where she also earned her MA in the same field of study. She is working towards a Doctoral Portfolio in Women's and Gender Studies. Her research at UT-Austin focuses on two broad areas including social impacts of new technologies, especially the “digital divide,” and evaluating public health communication. Carolyn attended the University of Southern Maine where she received her BA in women’s studies. Her professional goal is to conduct research that furthers equitable access to information, particularly in the areas of infrastructure and public health. Carolyn is interested in seeing firsthand how research and decisions are conducted at the National Academies and expects this fellowship to provide her with valuable professional experience. Her goal upon graduation is to work for the federal government. Contact by email.

Michael Ehst (DBASSE/CEGIS) currently works with the Science, Technology, and Innovation policy working group at the World Bank, which attempts to increase the level of innovation in developing country economies. He pursued this work after studying for an MA in International Science and Technology Policy from the Elliott School of International Affairs at the George Washington University. During graduate school Michael held positions with the House of Representatives Science Committee and with Washington CORE consulting on technology policy issues for the Japanese government. Prior to his move to Washington DC, he worked in the software industry in San Francisco and Chicago. He received his BS in Information Systems from the University of Colorado. He spends his free time in the outdoors mountain biking, skiing, and backpacking or in the city exploring the DC neighborhoods and watching live music. Contact by email.
(Updated 06/06)

Geraldean Hourigan (DELS/BASC) expects to receive an MSc in paleoclimatology from the University at Albany this May. She earned her BS in Earth Science from Syracuse University. Her thesis research looked at a species of deep-sea coral that had never been rigorously analyzed before in order to test the ability of the coral to act as a chronometer of intermediate water properties and, ultimately, to discover links to changes in climate. Geraldean is interested in this fellowship because she wants to understand the policy that goes along with the research that is being carried out, and to better understand the process of making the same information accessible for various audiences. Currently she is a contributing science writer to an Albany newsweekly called Metroland writing mostly about environmental and radiation related topics. Her long-term career goal is to make use of her understanding of science, sound research, and the need for good communicators of complex information while pursing a career in science writing that would allow for direct access and involvement in current climate research. Contact by email.

Amy Jiron (PGA/CWSE) is currently a second year law student at American University-Washington College of Law. She received a BS in architectural engineering from the University of Colorado. As an engineer she analyzed building energy use to determine cost efficient sustainable design and energy efficiency features. In law school she studies the laws and regulations that governed her engineering analyses. Amy is enjoying the active energy of Washington DC and seeks to take advantage of the many opportunities to learn about and participate in the political process. Over the past year, she volunteered at the DC Appleseed Center for Law and Justice where she worked to improve local governance over education, health and the environmental issues. She views this fellowship as one of few avenues for students to balance policy research and legal advocacy with scientific knowledge. Amy enjoys spending her free time doing anything and everything outside (especially if it involves mountains and/or snow). Contact by email.

Sarah Lightbody (PGA/STL) is a second year law student at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law located in Sacramento, California and expects to graduate with a J.D and a certificate in Intellectual Property Law in May 2005. She received a B.S in Food Science/Biotechnology from Cornell University. As an undergraduate she participated in research and product development, and solved complex problems in food chemistry, microbiology and molecular biology. At McGeorge, Sarah is actively involved in many leadership roles. Her legal experience includes internships with both the Butte County Superior Court and District Attorney’s Office. Currently she works as a research assistant to McGeorge’s Director of Intellectual Property and also as a law clerk assisting in legal writing and research for a patent infringement case involving a dispute over ownership of an invented chemical formula and procedure for determining toxic waste compounds. In her spare time, she enjoys water-skiing, traveling and wine-tasting. She believes that the fellowship offers the opportunity for professional and personal growth and advancement in addition to affording her the opportunity to work with the leading experts in the life sciences, biotechnology and intellectual property law. After graduating she plans to become a Patent Attorney and is most interested in patent prosecution, litigation and licensing. Contact by email.

Michael Martin (PGA/BISO) is currently a post-doctoral fellow at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC. He completed his doctorate in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan, where he also earned an MS in mechanical engineering and an MA in Asian studies. He received a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida. His research interests include fluid mechanics and micromachinery, and applications of microtechnology to aerospace systems. Before returning to school, he was an engineer at Boeing Commercial Airplane Group. He has also been a visiting researcher at Hitachi's Mechanical Engineering Research Laboratory in Japan. Michael is planning on an academic career, and hopes that his time spent at the academies will ultimately help him train students who are not only competent engineers, but competent decision makers in issues that include both technical and societal components. Contact by email. (Updated 06/07)

Lindsay Millard (DEPS/AFSTB) is a PhD candidate at Purdue University in aerospace engineering (flight dynamics and spacecraft control). She earned an MSc in aerospace engineering in December of 2003 from the University of Michigan, where she also received her BS in the same field of study. Her graduate work at the University of Michigan and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory include developing new optical technologies and control architectures for telescope satellite arrays. These telescope arrays will have the capability to search for Earth-like planets in other solar systems. She continues this research at Purdue University, expanding its application to libration point missions. Lindsay has also worked at Kennedy Space Center where she was responsible for testing, integration, and space shuttle installation of micro-gravity experiments traveling to the International Space Station. Lindsay enjoys teaching and volunteers with several schools and organizations to promote science and math education. She has flown on NASA's KC-135 "Weightless Wonder" aircraft and is currently pursuing her private pilot's license. Upon receiving her PhD, Lindsay hopes to continue work with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and other government agencies interested in promoting the future exploration of space. Lindsay is currently working as a research associate at the National Academies of Science. Contact by email.
(Updated 05/06)

Theresa O'Brien (NAS/KSM) is pursuing a PhD in Biochemistry at the University of California, San Francisco.  The focus of her research is the study of cysteine proteases as potential drug targets for the treatment of African Sleeping Sickness. She received a BA in biology from Williams College.  She is an active participant in the Science and Health Education Partnership (SEP) at UCSF.  SEP's mission is to promote partnership between scientists and educators in support of high quality science education for K-12 students.  Theresa also volunteers once a month with the Physics of Toys (POT) program at the Exploratorium, an experimental, hands-on science museum in San Francisco.  She is interested in the fellowship program because she cannot imagine how she could learn more about, or become better prepared for, a career in science and policy than through an fellowship at The National Academies.  While in College, Theresa was a member of the track and cross country teams.  Today, she runs with a San Francisco-based women's racing team, the Impalas.  She looks forward to finding great trails to run on in Washington, as well as fellow runners to train with! Contact by email.

Meeko Oishi (DEPS/BMSA) earned a PhD in Mechanical Engineering in December 2003 from Stanford University (MSc 2000), and a BSE in Mechanical Engineering from Princeton University in 1998. She received the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship and the John Bienkowski Memorial Fellowship (Princeton) in 1998. She has been a visiting researcher at Honeywell Technology Center (2000) and at NASA Ames Research Center (2001-2003), collaborating with researchers in avionics and in human factors, respectively. Her doctoral thesis focused on control theoretic techniques for the verification and design of user-interfaces of hybrid systems, with application to a pilot display for a highly automated civil jet aircraft during an automatic landing. She is also interested in developing and applying mathematical techniques to address problems in ecosystems and the environment, and is currently collaborating with theoretical ecologists at Stanford University. Meeko is an avid backpacker, sea kayaker, and alpine and telemark skier, and was a member of the Princeton Ski Team during her undergraduate years. She believes that a fellowship at the National Academies will provide her with opportunities to broaden her understanding of fields outside her research niche, to learn about the relationship between science, engineering, technology, and the government, and to gain a better understanding of the social and political contexts for her research interests. Contact by email.

Jerusha Nelson Peterman (DBASSE/CNSTAT) is a registered dietitian who is pursuing a PhD in Food Policy and Applied Nutrition at Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. Jerusha received a BS in molecular biology from Brigham Young University, and spent 2 1/2 years working on genome mapping projects at the University of Utah. She then earned an MS in Foods and Nutrition from the University of Utah as part of a coordinated masters program in dietetics. She worked at the Nutrition Education and Training Coordinator for the Utah State Office of Education Child Nutrition Programs (CNP), overseeing nutrition training activities for Utah's school food service workers, and child care providers that participate in federal nutrition programs, as well as training for teachers of the student nutrition curriculum. She believes this fellowship will provide a first-hand opportunity to learn about and become involved with the organizations whose research and recommendations drive the country’s public health and nutrition policy. Contact by email.

Anne Mariel Peters (PGA/OIA) is pursing a PhD in Politics at the University of Virginia, where she also received an MA in Foreign Affairs in May 2004. She received her BA in Chemistry and Political Science from Gustavus Adolphus College in 2003, and has previously interned at the U.S. Embassy to Italy, the Office of the Governor of Minnesota, and the Office of Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA). Having worked with science and technology policy on the state, national, and international levels, Anne was drawn to the Academies because she feels it is important for S&T policymakers to be familiar with the workings of the policy community in addition to having a technical background. Anne's academic interests straddle the fields of international political economy, economic reform, and technology policy: she is interested in studying what makes innovation systems successful and applying this knowledge to R&D systems and domestic infrastructure in other countries, particularly those of the Middle East. Anne aspires to have a career in foreign policy, although she is trying not to aspire too hard until her dissertation is finished. Her personal interests include international travel, Italian Renaissance art and contemporary film, learning new languages, distance running, and water sports. Contact by email.

Nagesh Rao (DEPS/NMAB) is a Patent Examiner for the United States Patent and Trademark Office. He is a specialist in examining technology applications pertaining to materials and chemical sciences, in particular to materials processes and products utilized in the semiconductor field. Nagesh holds a Bachelor of Science Dual Major in Materials Engineering and Philosophy from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Masters of Science in Legal Studies concentrating in Intellectual Property Law from Albany Law School. Nagesh was a marketing associate for the Office of Technology Commercialization at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute from 2002-2004. Thereafter in the Summer of 2004, Nagesh was accepted into the Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Fellowship program for The National Academies, where he worked under DEPS-NMAB on science policy issues pertaining to the materials science and nanotechnology field for US competitiveness from an Intellectual Property and International Law standpoint, prior to his joining the USPTO in the fall of 2004. Currently Nagesh is on special assignment for the Department of Commerce working with the Commercial Law Development Program in the Office of General Counsel. He will be working on two projects related to Intellectual Property growth and development for the Philippines and the Maghreb region of North Africa. Contact by email.
(Updated 07/06)

Ben Rusek (NAS/CISAC) works as a Research Associate for the Committee on International Security and Arms Control (CISAC) at the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) where he served as a Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellow. Ben served as the research officer on the CISAC study “Monitoring Nuclear Weapons and Nuclear-Explosive Materials: An Assessment of Methods and Capabilities” released in April 2005 and helped organize the 2004 CISAC summer symposium: “Post-Cold War U.S. Nuclear Strategy: A Search for Technical and Policy Common Ground.” With several international partners, Ben organized the “International Forum on Biosecurity” attended by participants from over twenty countries in Como, Italy and recently represented the NAS at the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention Experts Meeting on Codes of Conduct in the Life Sciences at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. Currently, Ben is managing three Carnegie-funded NAS projects on biosecurity and planning the November 2005 CISAC 25th anniversary celebration. In July he represented CISAC at the 55th Pugwash Conference on Science and World Affairs in Hiroshima, Japan. Ben recently published a journal article, “The Mortar Massacres: A Controversy Revisited” (Nationalities Papers, Vol.32 No.4) detailing artillery attacks against civilians during the Sarajevo siege in Bosnia. Previously he held various positions at the Henry L. Stimson Center, the Arms Control Association, and the National Air and Space Museum. He has a BA in political science from Ohio State University and an MA in political science from Purdue University, where he was the president of Purdue University Student Pugwash. Contact by email.
(Updated 10/05)

Yvette Seger (PGA/COSEPUP) earned her Ph.D. in Genetics from SUNY-Stony Brook in May 2004. Her dissertation research focused on dissecting the molecular pathways required to convert a normal human cell into a cancer cell, work that was funded by a DOD-Army Breast Cancer Research Program predoctoral fellowship and conducted at the Stony Brook-affiliated Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. She received a B.A. from Ohio Wesleyan University, double majoring in zoology (genetics concentration) and politics & government. As a Summer 2004 Christine Mirzayan Science & Technology Policy Graduate Fellow, she worked with the Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy (COSEPUP) on the third edition of a report that examines the presidential and federal advisory committee appointment process. In August 2006, Yvette joined the government contractor group IMC/Kevric to serve as a Sr. Health Sciences Policy Analyst staffing the Secretary's Advisory Committee on Genetics, Health, and Society within the NIH Office of Biotechnology Activities. Previously, Yvette held the position of Program Associate at the non-profit organization FasterCures.  A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Yvette enjoys Cleveland-esque activities such as drinking beer, eating pierogies, and rooting for the perennial causes of heartbreak--The Cleveland Indians and the Cleveland Browns. During the summer of 2005, Yvette succumbed to the extreme "Panda Mania" that swept the DC area, and joined the Giant Panda Behavior Watch research team at the National Zoo. This little endeavor has her chronicling the behavior of the zoo's panda cub, Tai Shan, and his mother, Mei Xiang, on Panda Cam at odd hours of the night. When not watching pandas, Yvette is a Project Runway junkie and a shopping fiend. Contact by email.
(Updated 10/06)

Danielle Smith (DELS/BESR) earned an MSc in Forest Engineering (Hydrology) from Oregon State University in May 2004. While at Oregon State, she served as President of Hydrophiles, the OSU graduate student chapter of the American Water Resources Association and American Institute of Hydrology. She received a B.S. in natural resource studies (concentrations in forestry and wildlife/fisheries) from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. While at Umass, Danielle spent 3 months as a forest technician in the Coeur d'Alene Bureau of Land Management field office in northern Idaho, and another 3 months at a transportation/logistics firm in Gothenburg, Sweden researching corporate environmental logistics programs. In a broad sense, Danielle’s ultimate career goals are to bridge the gap between the two worlds of science and policy, with a focus on educational outreach programs. She believes that this fellowship will help to make these goals more concrete and focused. She believes that there is not enough relation to science in the policy decisions that are made about our natural resources, and that scientists should not be as wary of contributing to policy in their own work. Up to now, Danielle’s practical experience has been in the realm of science. She is looking forward to making the transition to the natural resource policy arena and believes this experience will give her the boost to make the interdisciplinary jump. While not tackling water-related environmental issues, Danielle enjoys anything having to do with the outdoors or food (to speak broadly). Contact by email.

Janille Smith (TRB/TA) will be starting a Masters of Science in Civil Engineering at the University of Wisconsin – Madison in fall 2004. Her field of study is Transportation Engineering. She received a BA in Engineering from Lafayette College in Pennsylvania. Her interest in this fellowship program stems from her desire to be involved in a policy oriented environment that focuses on sustaining the relationship between transportation, urban form and the environment. This desire explains her continued quest for opportunities that facilitate the integration of a policy approach into the study of urban infrastructure, particularly transportation systems. Her future goal is to be involved in projects that focus on the redevelopment of urban infrastructure and management of the environment, through the implementation of policy and technology changes. She also hopes to focus her work on developing counties and in international communities. Janille expects that the fellowship program will allow her to move a step closer to this goal by allowing her to work on engineering and technology policy issues. Contact by email.

Erik Stemmy (NASEO/PNAS) is pursuing an MSc in Microbiology with a focus on science policy and advocacy at Georgetown University. He received a BS in biology from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Erik believes scientific research today is becoming increasingly unintelligible for a lay person. In these times when BSE threatens our beef industry, potential carcinogens threaten our health, and bioterrorism threatens our borders, he feels there is a growing need and desire for the public to understand science. Communicating science to non-specialists is his ultimate career path. A career in the field of science writing will put together two of his passions: learning about the newest research and teaching others about it. Erik can think of few better places to hone science writing skills than in an organization whose purpose is to advise, and inform, the American public on scientific matters. Erik is a nationally registered EMT-B and rides with the Georgetown Emergency Response Medical Service. Contact by email.

Sarita Tukaram (DBASSE/CPOP) is pursing her master’s in Journalism at the University of California, Berkeley. She received a BA in journalism, psychology, and English literature, from Bangalore University in Karnataka, India, and a post-graduate diploma in journalism at the Asian College of Journalism, Bangalore. She has previously investigated gender disparities in education in developing countries, the affect of poverty on education attainment, and has authored news and feature articles on rural development, health, education, and street children. This fellowship gave her an opportunity to observe, understand, and be involved in the policy-making process, so as to better report them to the public. Contact by email.

Shara Williams (NMAB/BEMA) is a Physical Scientist in the Office of Technology and Assessments in the Bureau of Verification, Compliance, and Implementation at the Department of State. Her work focuses on issues related to weapons of mass destruction, primarily chemical and biological weapons. She recently served in the same office as the first American Chemical Society Science and Diplomacy Fellow at the State Department. Before joining the State Department, Shara worked for BEMA/NMAB on a report on developing applications of biomedical materials for the military and on planning for a review of the National Nanotechnology Initiative. She received her B.S. in Chemistry from Stanford University and then her Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of California at Berkeley in 2003 under the direction of Paul Alivisatos. For her dissertation, she researched methods to pattern gold and semiconductor nanocrystals using DNA and to apply nanocrystal properties to biological problems. Previously, Shara worked at both Lawrence Livermore and Los Alamos National Laboratories, where she participated in various research projects including the gas-phase synthesis of silicon nanoclusters and characterization using Auger spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. Also while at the national labs, she participated in research using molecular beams to measure forces exerted by gases from the NASA Space Shuttle impacting the Space Station solar cells and using an atomic nitrogen beam to produce the semiconductor gallium nitride. In addition, she worked on a synchrotron radiation study of the breakdown of polymer-based light-emitting diodes using x-ray absorption spectroscopy. Her current interests range over the intersections of technology, intelligence, and national security. Contact by email.
(Updated 01/06)

Thomas Worster (PGA/COSEPUP) is pursing an MA in Science, Technology, and Public Policy from the Elliott School of International Affairs at the George Washington University. Prior to that he worked for three years at Snapfish, a digital photography company, as the Release and QA Manager. He received a BA in Computer Science with a minor in Communication Studies from Boston University in 2000. He recently completed an internship at the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars where researched how anonymity will be impacted by the move to digital media. He hopes to further his studies of innovation systems, how the various players in science and technology interact to produce new innovations that enhance national and global well-being, and how government can help enhance these interactions. Contact by email.

Jaehee Yi (IOM/NCPB) is pursuing a Masters of Social Work at the University of Michigan with dual concentrations of Health and Community Organization. She received a BA in English literature and language from Ewha Womans University in Korea. Jae-Hee also has a finance background and earned a US CPA certificate. She interned at the Ministry of Gender Equality in Korea and at the International Labour Organization in Jakarta, Indonesia. Upon obtaining her MSW degree, she plans to enroll in a joint PhD program in social work and anthropology. Jae-Hee is interested in health issues among minority groups across different cultures. She is excited to be a part of the study on Cancer Survivorship, and she is eager to learn how these issues are addressed by the National Academies. Jae-Hee enjoys cooking and hosting parties. Contact by email.

Eleni Zika (PGA/STEP & STL) earned a PhD in Genetics and Molecular Biology in April 2004 from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. She received the Edwards-Hopgood Dissertation Award for her graduate research on the regulation of genes involved in the control of immunity. She received a BSc in Biology from the University of Crete in Greece, and her Medio in Italian from the Universita di Venezia in Italy. Eleni has actively participated in the communication of science through a variety of activities—serving on student advisory committees, curriculum review boards, and most recently as an active member of the UNC Women in Science and Research association (WISR) supporting and improving educational and professional opportunities for all women in science. Eleni also served as teaching assistant of an interdisciplinary course at UNC, focusing on the ethical, legal, and social implications of genomics. Through the fellowship she hopes to gain a better understanding of the fundamentals of policy and ethics, in addition to developing the vital skills of an effective public servant of science. She also views the program as a great platform for the career transition from bench science to public policy. Eleni enjoys music, traveling, and learning foreign languages. Contact by email.

Eric Zimmerman (PGA/COSEPUP) is a PhD candidate in Information Science at Bar-Ilan University (Israel). His research is entitled "The Factors Affecting the Relationship between Scientific Productivity and the Use of Email among University Scholars". Eric received a BA and an MA in Judaic Studies from Brooklyn College in New York. Since then, he has pursued self-initiated opportunities to broaden his understanding of the interface between science policy and government. He is presently a second-term board member of euroCRIS and a working-group leader in EARMA, European-based Community-of-Peers associations. His appreciation of information science, international R&D policy and trends, management practices, and science policy made this fellowship a fascinating and challenging learning experience. Eric's career goal is to direct the research office (policy or grant administration) of a university or national research center, or join the management team of an international research association/think tank. In his spare time, Eric is a husband and father of five children, a volunteer police officer and president of his local synagogue. He also enjoys walking, traveling, reading, and music. Contact by email.