Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellows

Winter 2005 Fellow Biographies

Nancy Adams (NAE/CASEE) will be awarded her Ph.D. in geology from the University of Hawaii in May 2005. Her dissertation work has concentrated on the exsolution of volatiles during the catastrophic eruption responsible for the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes in Alaska. She received an M.A. in geology from Indiana State University and a B.S. in geosciences from Trinity University. While working on her Master's degree, she studied large-scale volcanic eruptions in Peru. Nancy previously worked as a project geologist for Environmental Resources Management where her work included monitoring bioremediation sites, assisting with well installations, and sampling groundwater. She believes that the fellowship with the National Academies will be beneficial to her because it would allow her to gain first-hand experience in policy-related work as well as investigate potential career paths. Nancy enjoys swimming and surfing, but looks forward to having her first real winter in five years. Contact by email.

Leonidas Bleris (DEPS/BMSA) earned a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Lehigh University in 2006, where he also earned a M.S. with a focus in Control Theory. He received a Diploma in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. Bleris was awarded the Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship from the National Academy of Science (NAS), and served with the Board of Mathematical Sciences and Their Applications in the Division of Engineering and Physical Sciences. He was awarded best presentation in session awards (American Control Conference 2004 and 2005), was selected as an NSF sponsored participant of the Pan-American Study Institute on Process Systems Engineer, and he is a member of Phi Beta Delta International Honor Society for International scholars. Bleris joined the Harvard's Bauer Center for Genomics Research as a Postdoctoral Fellow in April 2006. Contact by email.
(Updated 03/06)

Karen Boyd (PGA/STL) expects to earn a master’s degree in biomedical engineering at the Mayo Clinic in 2005. During her undergraduate training at the University of Rochester, Karen received degrees in biology and health and society, and a management certificate with a concentration in public policy analysis from the Simon School of Business. She was awarded admission into the Take 5 Scholars Program at the University of Rochester, which gave her the opportunity to spend a tuition-free fifth year at the university studying both mechanical engineering and epidemiology. Karen’s interest in the fellowship program stems from her desire to understand the roles a scientist can play in establishing and creating policy. In her spare time, Karen leads an active lifestyle which includes golf, tennis, rollerblading, hiking and biking.  She enjoys volunteering in the community, traveling to new places, and spending time with family and friends. Contact by email.

John Chase (NAE) is pursuing an M.A. in international science and technology policy at George Washington University. In May 2002, he received a B.S. in computer science and Japanese language & literature from the University of Michigan, which included one year of study at the University of Tokyo in Japan. In between graduation from the University of Michigan and enrollment as a graduate student at GW, John was an assistant language teacher with the Japanese Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program. There he taught English and helped develop English-language curriculum at the elementary and middle school levels in Kanasago-machi, Ibaraki-ken, Japan. During his two years in Japan, he participated in various youth-orientated community programs and coordinated international exchange activities. After completing his education in science and technology policy, John hopes to pursue a career in the public sector advocating policies based on sound science. John enjoys reading, sailing, and hiking and he was an active volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America. Contact by email.

Eugene J. Choi (DEPS/NMAB) is currently working as a Research Associate for the NMAB and NIST Assessment Boards. He is working on the National Nanotechnology Initiative, a billion dollar multi-agency initiative devoted to nanotechnology R&D, and on the evaluation and assessment of seven NIST laboratories. Eugene completed his postdoctoral research at the National Institutes of Health in biomedical engineering and nanotechnology. During his postdoctoral research fellowship, he has been involved in the application of basic research to biomedical research, such as studying the interactions between protein and lipids to gain further insight into cell signaling and cell apoptosis. He received his Ph.D. in polymer science from the University of Akron, where he combined his knowledge and skills from a B.S. in biology from Indiana University with his polymer studies to focus on the phenomena of protein adsorption to polymeric surfaces applicable to biomaterials. Eugene has interned at the American Public Health Association in Washington, D.C., where he helped advocate for and educate the government and non-governmental organizations about various public health issues, such as the environment and children’s health. He is eager to pursue a new career in public policy and believes that his fellowship at the National Academy of Sciences will be a good start to a transitioning career and help provide the tools and experiences necessary for him to advance his understanding of the critical nexus between science and policy. Contact by email.
(Updated 10/05)

Rachel Courtland (PGA/COSEPUP) is a 2006 AAAS Mass Media Fellow with U.S. News and World Report and will be attending the University of California Santa Cruz science communication program in the fall.  She holds an M.S. in physics from Emory University and a B.A. in physics from the University of Pennsylvania.  During graduate school, she studied the non-linear dynamics of colloidal suspensions and conducted preparatory work for a NASA Physics of Colloids in Space payload project.  After her fellowship, she worked as a grant writer for the Carnegie Academy for Science Education at the Carnegie Institution of Washington. Contact by email.

Eileen Gentleman (NAE) expects to earn her Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Tulane University in May 2005. She also received her B.S. from Tulane in the same area. She has extensive and current knowledge in engineering, biological sciences, and biotechnology. Eileen is an insatiable science buff with basic knowledge in everything from astrophysics to zoology, which she hopes will be a benefit to the work of the NAE. Eileen currently works part-time as a Master Tutor and Curriculum Developer for Test Masters, LLC and a Master Tutor for Tutor’s of Greater New Orleans, LLC. She also teaches test preparation for Kaplan Educational Centers and lectures on test-taking strategies and guides students through test questions. After graduate school, she plans to work as a post-doctoral fellow and then take a faculty position at a major research university. She views this fellowship as a unique chance to be involved in science but from the other side of the lab bench. Contact by email.

Mara Jeffress (PGA/STEP & STL) was awarded her Ph.D. in molecular and cellular biology from the University of Washington in August of 2004.  She received two B.A.s in biology and philosophy from the UC-Santa Cruz.  As a researcher, she has studied both malarial and HIV drug resistance and discovered new protein-protein interactions within malaria cells and new visual pigments in the pineal gland of fish.  During graduate school, she discovered new malaria drug resistance genes, which may help future researchers design more effective anti-malaria drugs. Mara has volunteered her time in many parts of the world and has served in a variety of positions--science judge, science mentor, tutor, medical assistant, and field research assistant.  She has lived in many different places including California, Hawaii, Australia, Mexico, and Nepal and traveled extensively. As a lecturer, Mara designed and taught an undergraduate course in Bioethics at UC-Santa Cruz and has been interested in the subject ever since. This fellowship with the STEP and STL boards strongly matched her interests in law, ethics, and policy and has convinced her to pursue a career in science policy. Her passions include hiking, mountaineering, skiing, dance, yoga, photography and writing.  During the summer following her Academies fellowship (2005), she will be hiking the 2660 mile Pacific Crest Trail from Canada to Mexico to raise money for charity. To find out more about Mara go to: http://jeffress.net/mara. Contact by email.

Kelly Kroeger (PGA/COSEPUP) earned her Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences from Johns Hopkins University in December 2004. Her dissertation research examined the effects of oxidized abasic DNA lesions generated in the cell by chemotherapeutic treatments, and has resulted in seven publications. Additionally, as a graduate student, she taught undergraduate cell biology laboratory courses. Kelly received her B.S. with honors in molecular genetics from Ohio State University and was a member of the OSU varsity crew team. She has been involved in a number of volunteer activities including renovating a shelter for battered women and children, helping to feed the homeless, community clean-up projects, and tutoring. Through this fellowship opportunity, Kelly hopes to learn how the decisions that affect the course of scientific research are made. Her career aspirations lie in academia, where she plans a research focus in immunology. Additionally, in the future, Kelly would like to serve as an advisor to committees responsible for making critical decisions affecting the funding and direction of medical research. Contact by email.

Deborah A. Kuzmanovic (DEPS/BAST) earned her Ph.D. in Genetics from the University of Washington in December 2000. Her dissertation research involved the characterization of a motor protein involved in cell division, using a genetic approach to study the role of that motor protein in cell division. She received her B.S. in molecular biology from Carnegie Mellon University. She was a postdoctoral fellow at National Institute of Standards and Technology where her research focused on the development of methods to overcome the scientific hurdles associated with the development of a skin cancer diagnostic kit. Currently, Deborah is a senior scientist at Geo-Centers, Inc, under contract to the U.S. Army, Edgewood Chemical and Biological Center. As head of the microbiology lab, she supports research efforts in the detection and identification of biological agents. She volunteers at the Little Blue House Family Development Center, a residential and safe home for children who have experiences neglect or abuse. Deborah has traveled extensively and is fluent in German. She believes that a fellowship at the National Academies would be a way to gain a formal mentorship in navigating between industry, government and academia. Contact by email.

Joe Larsen (DELS/BLS) is an American Association for the Advancement of Science fellow with the Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate, Office of University Programs. Dr. Larsen is currently serving as program manager for two DHS-sponsored university-based research centers dedicated to the study of foreign animal and zoonotic disease defense and food system protection and defense. Previously, Dr. Larsen was a post-doctoral fellow with the Board on Life Sciences at the National Academies. There, he worked on several bio-defense related studies, including a project aimed at determining the best research avenues for developing novel antimicrobials and immunomodulatory compounds. Dr. Larsen received his doctoral degree from Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. He performed his dissertation research on the pathogenic mechanisms of the gastrointestinal pathogen Campylobacter jejuni. Dr. Larsen received a B.A. in microbiology with departmental honors from the University of Kansas. Contact by email.
(Updated 07/06)

Robert A. Lipinski (DBASSE/CSBD) received his M.S. and recently earned his Ph.D. in psychology from Lehigh University. He studied politics as an undergrad at Fairfield University in Connecticut. Many of Rob’s research activities have been issues that have potential significance for everyday life. His M.S. thesis examined the effectiveness of list and matrix instructions in promoting memory and comprehension for multiple medication regimens. His dissertation examined the effects of attentional demands and contextual detail on adult age-differences in memory for actions. He currently teaches two lab courses for Introduction to Psychology at Lafayette College, where he is a Visiting Assistant Professor. His ultimate goal is to be employed in a research environment where he would have the opportunity to either develop applications of research and theory or conduct research on topics with implications for problems of everyday life—ideally in the areas of memory, cognitive psychology, and cognitive aging. Rob believes that his fellowship experience will familiarize him with the ways in which research comes to influence public policy and also expand his knowledge of professional environments to realize his work goals.

Claudia Mengelt (DELS/PRB) after a two-year study of physics in her native Switzerland, she received her B.S. in aquatic biology from UCSB. She completed a M.S. in biological oceanography at Oregon State University, where she worked on biogeochemical cycles and the role of the ocean in carbon sequestration. Her field research has allowed her to travel extensively, including going to Antarctica twice. Due to her interest in applied science, she focused her Ph.D. research on studying the most recent U.S. West coast harmful algal bloom phenomena, which causes extensive mortality in local marine mammal populations. Her long-term career goal is to work at the interface between science and science policy. In particular, she hopes to work on policy questions related to climate science and oceanography. She was a fellow with the Polar Research Board winter 2005 and has joined the full time staff at the Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate as an Associate Program Officer fall 2005. In her free time she likes to travel in search of the best places to surf, dive, or snowboard. Contact by email.
(Updated 02/06)

Siddhartha “Sid” Misra (PGA/GUIRR) recently received his M.B.A. in finance from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. His core studies included organizational behavior, management sciences, accounting and corporate finance. He also consulted for small businesses in the Albany area and was editor of the school paper. Sid received his M.A. in economics from the University of Delhi School of Economics. He currently works as a manager at the Reserve Bank of India in New Delhi. His work at the bank involves supporting the regional director in designing and executing organizational level strategies in the areas of customer services, knowledge management systems, and human resources development. His short term career goal includes joining a multilateral banking or economic development institution where his focus would be creating viable and profitable business opportunities in the meeting ground of economic development and cutting edge technologies. Ultimately, he intends to go back to school to research, consult and teach in the field of international business strategy. Sid is excited about interacting and collaborating with professionals and students from several disciplines during his fellowship. He would like to focus on studying and understanding how different socioeconomic forces dynamically interact to shape the outcomes of different nations and the world.

Melinda D. Nickelson (PGA/DSC) received a M.S. in applied physics from the University Michigan, Ann Arbor. After finishing her undergraduate work at Bryn Mawr, she spent a year participating in the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET), where she taught English in Kitsuki City to Japanese junior high school students. Melinda is particularly interested in international collaborations and international development. She has traveled extensively abroad, including Scotland, Japan, South Korea, Italy, and South Africa. Through funding by a NSF grant, she helped to design the lesson plans for a physics exploratorium trip to Cape Town, South Africa, for the purpose of helping disadvantaged high school students make connections between their book knowledge and the everyday world. Melinda's long term career goals include obtaining a position either in the government or in a non-partisan, non-profit organization where she can utilize her science background in the analysis of public interest issues. Melinda believes that this fellowship would allow her to contribute to and learn from an organization that is working to provide analysis on a variety of issues as well as allow her to enhance her understanding of how science informs policy and the way in which policy affects the management of science. Contact by email.

Maike C. Rentel (PGA/COSEPUP) currently holds a post doctoral position at UC Berkeley.  She received her B.Sc. in biochemistry at the University of Edinburgh, and her D.Phil. in plant molecular biology at the University of Oxford.  Before turning to science, Maike earned a degree in languages and business, living and studying in Germany, France, England and Spain. Maike would like to understand how decisions made by a government impact research within that country and how research informs government decisions.  With this knowledge, she hopes to bridge the chasm between the ivory tower and the general public—both the audiences of science and its beneficiaries.  She intends to spend her working life in university labs, conducting research, teaching and mentoring aspiring scientists.  In her spare time, Maike enjoys learning foreign languages and traveling. Contact by email.

Eugene "Gene" Russo (NASEO/KSM) is an assistant editor for Nature magazine’s science careers section. For the past eight years, he’s reported on science and science policy for publications including The Scientist magazine and Research Policy Alert. He earned his M.A. in history and philosophy of science from the University of Maryland in December 2004. He received a B.A. in English from the University of Pennsylvania. As a science writer for the past seven years writing primarily for Nature and The Scientist magazines, he has had the opportunity to investigate both cutting edge research topics and current issues in science policy. In doing so, he has come to understand both the difficulties and the importance of communicating science-whether to a lay public or to policymakers who may not be well-versed in science. As a student of the history and philosophy of science, he has attempted to better understand how the past chain of scientific findings have set the stage for today’s discoveries, particularly with regard to evolutionary biology. He views this fellowship as a means for becoming a more informed science journalist who’s better able to explain and report science policy to both educated and lay readers. He also sees it as a way to explore a new career path, involving a more direct role in science policy formation.
(Updated 05/06)

Vanessa J. Schweizer (DBASSE/CHDGC) will earn her Masters in Environmental Studies at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, in 2005. Following graduation, she will pursue her Ph.D. in Engineering and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University concentrating on climate change and the impacts of future consumption choices on energy demand and systems. She received her B.S. in physics, Magna Cum Laude, from the University of Nevada-Reno (UNR). At UNR one of her favorite activities was interscholastic debate. She was an accomplished debater making it to octafinals at the 1999 NPDA National Championship, triple octafinals in 2000, and participating in the 2001 World Debating Championship in Glasgow, Scotland. Before coming to The National Academies as a fellow, Vanessa was an adjunct faculty member at Pierce College-Ft. Steilacoom in the Earth Sciences and Developmental Education departments where she taught environmental science, mathematics, and study skills. Ultimately she hopes to work as an environmental or economic policy advisor at the national and/or international levels. She is particularly interested in the environmental impacts of globalization and global change. Through this fellowship she attained real-life perspective on issues where scientific research and public policy overlap. It also illuminated for her various pathways for careers in science policy. Contact by email.

Elizabeth R. Sharp (IOM/BGH) is in her third year of the Biomedical Sciences Ph.D. program at UC-San Francisco.  The focus of her research is on the human immune response to HIV.  She received her B.S. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in June 2001. While at MIT, she had the opportunity to serve on two academic policy committees and considers these experiences to be among the most rewarding in her college career.  Her interest in AIDS began in the sixth grade when she decided her science fair project would be to inform people about the disease.  Liz has been an active volunteer in AIDS non-profit programs for years.  She has recently come to realize that although science is still a passion, laboratory research is not her lifelong devotion.  Liz views this fellowship as an introduction to the world of science policy, which will hopefully prove to be an outlet to stay active in the science world outside of labwork.  Some of her favorite activities include indoor climbing, taking dance classes, reading, running, and cooking for friends. Contact by email.

Eduardo Valle (PGA/STS) is a Fulbright Scholar, working toward his M.A. degree in international relations from Syracuse University.  He received his B.A. in international relations from the Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo, Brazil.  Prior to his fellowship with the National Academies (STS), he was a visiting researcher at VTT Technology Studies in Espoo, Finland last fall, where he focused on institutional cooperation in science and technology. He was also an intern with the Office of Science and Technology at the Organization of American States in Washington, DC last summer.  His career goals include exploring opportunities in science and technology policy in order to foster sustainable development, innovation and international cooperation.  Eduardo is an avid reader; he also enjoys biking, exploring local bookstores and traveling.  He was recently selected for the United Nations Fulbright Fellowship in New York City.