STEM experts get schooled in civics, Beltway life and all things policy


STPF 51: Welcoming the new class of fellows

Secretary of State fetes partnership with AAAS policy fellowship program

Congrats to Ali Nouri (2008-09 Legislative Branch Fellow sponsored by AAAS), new Deputy Director of the White House Office of Legislative Affairs! “The STPF fellowship...opened doors and let me apply the science and evidence-based thinking I had learned in academia toward the policy process in Congress, at a nonprofit, a federal agency, and now the White House.” Ali works to advance the Administration's agenda vis-a-vis the U.S. Senate.

As White House Office of S&T Policy Asst. Director for Resilience Science & Technology, Kristin Ludwig (2011-12 NSF fellow; 2012-13 Dept. of Interior fellow) provides leadership and coordination on using S&T to inform resilience on a range of disruptions such as natural hazards and climate change. “The fellowship provided the perfect springboard for pursuing a career at the intersection of science and policy. I continue to leverage the STPF network for my work.”

Recently appointed the Deputy Director for Chemical Safety of the Council on Environmental Quality in the Executive Office of the President, Devavani Chatterjea (2021-23 fellow at the State Dept.) combines attention to scientific detail with broader analyses of economic vitality, community and stakeholder engagement, and environmental justice to advise senior White House officials. “STPF expanded my horizons at warp speed and helped me realize my lifelong goal of public service.”