Christine Mirzayan Science & Technology Policy

Winter 2002 Fellow Biographies

		Heidi Auman (PGA/COSEPUP) recently completed a PhD in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology at Yale University, where she received her master's degree in Biology. She previously earned a BS in Biology and French at Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio. In Heidi's free time she loves to play sports (especially volleyball, softball, and squash) and travel. During her fellowship, she participated in projects concerning enhancing postdoctoral working conditions for scientists and engineers, evaluating scientific and medical aspects of human cloning, and coordinating counter-terrorism efforts among disciplinary societies and think tanks. She plans to pursue further biological research as a postdoctoral scientist following the fellowship. Contact by email.
		Julie Demuth (DELS/BASC/NDR) recently received her master's degree in Atmospheric Science from Colorado State University. Her thesis focused on improving estimates of hurricane intensity and wind structure. Julie is now interested in climate change and related impacts and policy issues; she hopes to use this fellowship as a springboard towards a career in applied science. In her free time, Julie particularly enjoys reading, hiking, and drinking wine. She is a fierce lover of animals and the Earth on which we all exist. Furthermore, the values, beliefs, and passions of other cultures intrigue her, and she hopes to travel someday to appreciate them, hopefully beginning with Nepal! Contact by email
		Bryan Ericksen (DELS/PRB), during his fellowship at the National Academies, focused on Frontiers in Polar Biology in the Genomics Era, an initiative sponsored by the National Science Foundation. He then completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Institute of Human Virology, studying the structure and function of innate immune proteins and their development as antibacterial and anti-HIV therapies. Bryan is currently a Scientist with Dow Pharmaceutical Sciences, Inc. He conducts topical drug research and analytical method development, with emphasis on proteins and antimicrobials. Bryan holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of California at Davis and a dual BS/BA from the University of Rochester. Contact by email (Updated 1/08)
		Ron Hira (PGA/STEP) is a PhD candidate in Public Policy and Assistant Research Engineer at George Mason University, where he previously received a master's in Electrical Engineering. He has also received a bachelor's in Electrical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. His research interests are in industrial and technology policy and technology management. He is currently searching for a permanent faculty position. Ron is a licensed Professional Engineer in the Commonwealth of VA, and Chair of the R&D Policy Committee of IEEE-USA. He enjoys basketball and having a good time. Contact by email.
		Kevin Kyle (DEPS/BMAED/NMAB) is a master's candidate for a dual major of Applied Physics and Materials Science at Oregon State University. He previously earned a bachelor's degree in Physics from Lewis and Clark College. Kevin's scientific research interests include: mechanical properties and failure of materials, phase diagrams, computational methods with JAVA, and web based scientific documents. His public policy interests include: science, technology, environmental, energy, and space policy. During his fellowship Kevin developed web pages for both boards, as well as writing white papers for future studies in the areas of materials and manufacturing. Outside of academics Kevin is an avid hiker and camper; he enjoys the wilderness and weather in the Pacific Northwest. As an undergraduate, Kevin was part of the varsity men's crew team. He has recently taken up fencing and gym climbing. Contact by email.
		Miriam Levy Gordon (PGA/STL) completed her Ph.D. in Developmental and Molecular Biology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University in September 2001. She also received a master's degree in Biological Sciences from Einstein and received her bachelor's degree in Biology from Rutgers University. Miriam is concerned about the impact of advances in biomedical research on an uniformed public and seeks ways to improve education of the public on such issues. Following the fellowship, she will be working part time at the March of Dimes, writing articles on current issues in genetics and public health. She is also interested in learning more about how law and science currently interface, in the interest of moving advances in biomedical research along in the most efficient way possible. As a woman and a scientist, she is concerned about juggling career and family, and hopes to meet other women scientists with similar concerns. Miriam believes there should be more opportunities for part-time and flexible-time work, and more emphasis on quality, affordable day care. Contact by email.
		Erin McKay (DELS/CGCR) is a master's candidate in Environmental Science at American University. She previously received a bachelor's degree in Biology from Colgate University and spent three years as a middle school science public school teacher. Erin fellowed with the Committee on Global Change Research. Her experiences in Washington, D.C. convinced her to attend law school with the goal of becoming involved in environmental and educational policy. She and her husband will return to New England where she will attend Boston College Law School. Erin enjoys skiing, reading, and hiking with her yellow lab, Griffin.
		Eileen McTague (NAE/Women) worked in the NAE Program Office developing educational materials for teachers and students that focused on generating interest in engineering and science careers for girls. After her fellowship, she continued on at the National Research Council with the Board on Earth Science and Resources as a Research Assistant. Eileen now works in the environmental consulting field conducting wetlands and wildlife surveys. She has an M.S. in Environmental Science from American University and a B.S. in Biology from Penn State. She enjoys hiking, running, and traveling. Contact by email.
		Brindha Muniappan (NAS/KSM) has completed a postdoc in Genetic Toxicology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she earned a Ph.D. in the same subject. She previously received a bachelor's degree in Environmental Engineering, also from M.I.T. Although she has spent significant time at M.I.T. studying engineering and molecular biology, Brindha has enjoyed learning outside of the laboratory as well. Her activities include playing soccer for M.I.T., intramural ice hockey, black and white photography, pottery, and sailing. During her fellowship, Brindha worked for the Marian Koshland Science Museum where she was involved in developing content and interactive display ideas for potential exhibits. Contact by email.
		Mary Jo Norris (DEPS/AFSTB) is a master's candidate in Physics at the University of Maine. She previously earned a BS in Physics and Mathematics at Cleveland State University. She has been teaching introductory physics as a teaching assistant for four years. Her two research projects at the University of Maine are an EPA funded study of radon in air and water in Maine schools and lead-210 dating of sediment for lakes in Maine using gamma spectroscopy as part of an investigation of mercury contamination. Mary Jo has learned that what she enjoys most about researching and teaching is the interaction with other people. She loves to teach and talk to people. During her time as an fellow, Mary Jo worked on configuration and overall coordination for the graphics in the report, Implications of Emerging Micro and Nano Technologies.
		Shawn Robertson (DELS/BCST) recently completed a PhD in Entomology at Penn State University. He previously received his master's in Entomology at Mississippi State University. He is interested in international affairs, particularly international trade and overseas agricultural development. During his fellowship with the National Academies in Washington, D.C. he had the opportunity to work with the Board on Chemical Sciences and Technology, where he learned the principles of the unique collaborative process by which the Academies produce studies and got acquainted with the interface between science and and science policy making. Shawn will begin working for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service in Raleigh, North Carolina in May 2002.
		Jennifer VanRoeyen (IOM/NCPB) completed a bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Michigan, where she is also a master's candidate in Pharmaceutical Engineering, concentrating in biopharmaceutics. Her research interests vary within the pharmaceutical industry but focus on bioprocess research and development, drug regulation, and intellectual property issues. She enjoys being active in a variety of activities including playing tennis, speaking Spanish, and interacting with people from diverse backgrounds. While at the National Cancer Policy Board she worked on a variety of issues including mammography, biologically-based technologies for breast cancer detection, and biases in clinical trials. Jennifer plans on using her experience at the National Academies, coupled with future work in the pharmaceutical industry, and a possible law degree to become an active member of the ever-changing health care sector. Contact by email.
		Maria Vassileva (IOM/BGH) is a Senior Program Associate with the Research Competitiveness Service, which is a subdivision of American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) that provides review, evaluation, and guidance to the science and engineering community on the development of quality research programs. She was born and raised in Bulgaria, where most of her family still lives, but completed her undergraduate and graduate education in the US. Maria obtained her Bachelor degree in Biology and Chemistry from Concord College in Athens, West Virginia. Then she completed her Ph.D. at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, Maryland. Her thesis focus was on posttranslational modification of proteins, and in particular SUMO modification and its effects on multiple substrates in the nucleus. During her years as a graduate student at Hopkins, Maria also completed a Vaccine Science and Policy Certificate from the Department of International Health there, and participated in the Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship at the National Academies. As a policy fellow, she worked for the Board on Global Health at the Institute of Medicine. In her spare time, Maria enjoys playing tennis, biking, rollerblading, sailing, windsurfing, hiking, and gardening. She is an avid amateur photographer and a world traveler. She tries to find time to play the piano. She lives in Rockville, Maryland together with her husband, David, baby Teo, and their two dogs. Contact by email. (Updated 10/05)
		Sara Zellner (DBASSE/CPOP) is a PhD candidate in Sociology from The University of Texas at Austin, where she also received her master's in Sociology. Previously, she earned a bachelor's degree from University of Wisconsin at Madison in Sociology, Psychology, and French. Sara's academic focus is demography with research centered on AIDS and reproductive health abroad. Prior work with the National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization has encouraged her appeal to the links between policy and demography, and this interest that has been furthered through her work on the Committee on Population's Transitions to Adulthood in Developing Countries report. Her hobbies include traveling, both domestically and internationally, and learning about new cultures. Contact by email.