AIBS Policy Training Initiatives

Emerging Public Policy Leader Award

As part of its focus on engaging scientists in the public policy process, the American Institute of Biological Sciences has established the Emerging Public Policy Leader Award program. Each year, through a competitive application process one or two highly qualified graduate students in the biological sciences or science education that demonstrate a potential to become science policy or science education policy leaders are named Emerging Public Policy Leader. Award recipients are brought to Washington, DC to participate in Congressional Visits Day, where they meet with members of Congress and senior members of the Washington, DC science policy community.

2008 Graduate Student Emerging Public Policy Leadership Awards

Applications Due by 5 PM Eastern, Thursday, 31 January 2008

The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS, www.aibs.org) is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the 2008 AIBS Emerging Public Policy Leadership Award (EPPLA). The EPPLA program enables graduate students in the biological sciences to receive first-hand experience in the science policy arena.

Recipients will receive:

• A trip to Washington, DC, during spring 2008 to participate in a Biological and Ecological Sciences Coalition (BESC) Congressional Visits Day (exact dates to be determined). The BESC CVD is an annual event that brings scientists and science educators to Washington, DC, to advocate for federal funding for the biological sciences.
• The EPPLA will attend briefings by key officials from the White House and Congress and a Capitol Hill reception honoring a member of Congress.
• The EPPLA will participate in meetings with their Senators and Representatives.
• A certificate and one-year AIBS membership, including a BioScience subscription.

Application Process and Requirements:

Applications for the 2008 EPPLA will be accepted from graduate students (master's or doctoral) in the biological sciences with a demonstrated interest in and commitment to biological science and/or science education policy. Applications must be submitted to publicpolicy@aibs.org no later than 5 PM eastern time on Thursday, 31 January 2008. The subject line of the e-mail must include "EPPLA 2008" and the applicant's name.

• Cover letter: Describe your interest in science policy issues and how participation in this CVD event would further your career goals. Confirm your ability to travel to Washington, DC, during spring 2008 (likely on a Tues-Wed or Wed-Thurs).

• Statement: In 500 words, articulate the importance of federal funding for biological research. The objective of the CVD is to communicate to policy-makers the importance of biological sciences to the nation. How would you convince your congressional delegation of the importance of biological research? Prepare a statement that emphasizes the benefits of biological research, drawing on your own experience and/or research area, and referencing local issues that may be of interest to your congressional delegation as appropriate.

• Resume (1 page): Your resume should emphasize leadership and communication experience — this may include graduate, undergraduate, or non-academic activities. Please include education, work experience, honors and awards, and scientific society memberships. Please do not list conference presentations, abstracts or scientific manuscripts.

• Letter of reference: Ask an individual who can attest to your leadership, interpersonal and communication skills to send a letter on your behalf to publicpolicy@aibs.org by 31 January 2008. This individual should also be familiar with your interest in or experience with science or science education policy issues.

Note: Prior EPPLA recipients and AIBS science policy interns/fellows are not eligible.

Questions about the award should be addressed to Megan Kelhart at mkelhart@aibs.org(202)-628-1500 x 230.

2007 EPPLA Recipients

Amber Szoboszlai is a graduate student in marine science at the California State University's Moss Landing Marine Labs at Monterey Bay, California. In research for her master's degree, which she expects to complete in May 2007, Szoboszlai is examining how some species of algae growing in the intertidal zone may modify environmental conditions to promote the settlement and growth of the juvenile stages of another coexisting algal species. Szoboszlai was awarded a 2007 California Sea Grant State Fellowship with the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) to synthesize biological research projects conducted at MBNMS with management needs and goals. Following her fellowship in September 2007, she will begin her Ph.D. research in marine ecology at the University of California, Davis.

Sarah Wright is a doctoral candidate in Botany at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She was awarded a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship in 2006 for her dissertation research examining the effects of climate change on the range limits and timing of the life cycle of wild lupine, the only host plant of the endangered Karner blue butterfly. Wright is engaged in a number of science education and outreach activities including the University of Wisconsin's Center for Biology Education Adult Role Models in Science Program and the National Phenology Network Implementation Team's Citizen Science and Outreach working group. She intends to pursue a career in science education following the completion of her Ph.D.

Kyle Brown, a doctoral candidate in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University, and Jennifer Jadin, a doctoral candidate in Behavior, Ecology, Evolution and Systematics at the University of Maryland, received honorable mentions.

2006 EPPLA Recipients

Madhura Kulkarni is a doctoral candidate in biogeochemistry and environmental biocomplexity at Cornell University. She earned an undergraduate biology degree from Duke University in 1999 and a master of science in marine, estuarine and environmental sciences from the University of Maryland in 2003. She has received a variety of awards and grants, including a NASA Earth Systems Science Fellowship and a National Science Foundation Integrated Graduate Education and Research Training Fellowship. Kulkarni's doctoral research is a study on nitrogen pollution management.

Christopher Hofmann is a doctoral candidate in biology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He earned an undergraduate biology degree in 2000 from Towson University, where he graduated summa cum laude. He has received a variety of awards and grants, including two National Science Foundation Fellowships. His doctoral research involves the use of color to define species limits in birds.

AIBS also named two honorable mentions this year: Holly Menninger, a PhD candidate in behavior, ecology, evolution and systematics at the University of Maryland, and Mindy Richlen, a PhD candidate in marine science at Boston University.

2005 EPPLA Recipients

Ms. Karen Deen Laughlin - Ms. Laughlin is a doctoral candidate in ecology and evolutionary biology at Cornell University. Her research involves the ecological risks of gene flow from genetically engineered virus-resistant crops to wild crops. She is the recipient of numerous grants and awards, including an NSF Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant. Laughlin earned her bachelor's degree in environmental science and policy from Duke University.

2004 EPPLA Recipients

Ms. Allison Vogt - A master's student in ecology at the University of Georgia, Ms. Vogt is researching the effects of habitat degradation caused by increasing urban development on the biotic responses of fishes. She hopes to apply her findings to show whether regional planning regulations and federal environmental laws are adequate for the region. After finishing her master's degree, Ms. Vogt plans to pursue a law degree, with an emphasis on environmental law and public policy.

Ms. Heidi Weiskel - Ms. Weiskel is a doctoral student in marine ecology and policy at the University of California at Davis. As part of the UC Davis multidisciplinary National Science Foundation funded Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) program on invasive species, Ms. Weiskel's research focuses on the impacts of hatchery-raised salmon on native salmon.

2003 EPPLA Recipients

Ms. Esther Ellsworth - Ms. Ellsworth is a master's student in the Human Dimensions of Biology program within the Department of Biology at Arizona State University. Ms. Ellsworth's research centers on areas where biology and society interact, such as developmental and evolutionary biology. After completing her degree, Ms. Ellsworth plans to pursue a policy position in the federal government.

Ms. Lisa Wall - With a bachelor's degree in biology and a certificate of teaching excellence, Ms. Wall was a high school biology teacher in Florida prior to returning to the University of Central Florida to pursue a master's degree in biology and a doctorate in education with an emphasis on curriculum and instruction. Her graduate studies focus on ways to improve student science education through linking high school students with real world environmental and field-based biology research.

Policy Internship Opportunities in Washington, DC

With the support of member societies and organizations, AIBS is increasingly able to offer unique public policy learning and work experiences for current and recent graduate students in the biological sciences. Interns work as a public policy assistant in the AIBS Public Policy Office in downtown Washington, DC. The individual assists public policy staff with specific science policy projects that may include planning a Capitol Hill briefing, preparing policy documents, conducting science and science education policy research, and attending congressional and executive branch meetings. This unique public policy training opportunity provides young scientists with valuable practical experience with how public policy is actually formulated.

Congressional Science Fellows

AIBS has in the past sponsored Congressional Science Fellows through the AAAS fellowship program (http://www.aaas.org/spp/), and often in partnership with AIBS member societies and organizations. This AIBS program is currently on hiatus and may be reactivated at a later time. Contact .

For an historical overview of the AIBS Congressional Science Fellowship Program, see the February 2000 BioScience editorial by 2001 AIBS President, Judith S. Weis: http://www.aibs.org/bioscience-editorials/editorial_2000_02.html

Past AIBS Congressional Fellows include:

Robert Gropp, Ph.D.

Dr. Gropp was the 1999-2000 AIBS Congressional Fellow. A botanist and ecologist, he worked in the office of Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO), where he dealt with energy, environment, and pollution issues. Contact: .

Laura Lyman Rodriguez, Ph.D.

Laura Lyman Rodriguez, PhD: A Fellowship Year in Review. (BioScience, October 1999)

Congressional Fellowship Program Bridges the Gap Between Science and Policy (AIBS News, November 1998)

Dr. Rodriguez was the 1998-1999 AIBS fellow, cosponsored by the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography. Dr. Rodriguez is a cell biologist by training, and worked in the office of Representative Vernon Ehlers (R-MI). She is now a Policy Analyst, Office of Public Affairs, Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB): .

Richard Pouyat, Ph.D.

Richard Pouyat, PhD: Science and environmental policy - making them compatible. (Policy Forum, April 1999)

AIBS Sponsors a Scientist on the Hill. AIBS News, July/August 1997.

Dr. Pouyat was the AIBS Congressional Science Fellow from 1997-1998, cosponsored by the Ecological Society of America and the Society for Conservation Biology. Dr. Pouyat is an urban forest ecologist and now works as part of the Long-Term Ecological Research Network's (LTER) Baltimore Ecosystem Study group. Pouyat's experience working on Capitol Hill in the office of Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-NY) afforded him much insight into the interface of science and policy: .