Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellows
Winter 2010 Biographical Sketches

Chelsea E. F. Bodnar (IOM/BCYF) completed her residency in pediatrics at University of Washington/Seattle Children’s Hospital in 2009. A native of Montana, she received her undergraduate degree in biochemistry from Montana State University before obtaining a Rhodes Scholarship to attend Oxford University, where she graduated with a master’s of philosophy in social history of medicine in 2002. She returned to attend Harvard Medical School and graduated with her MD in 2006.  She and her husband now live in New York where she is excited to begin combining her clinical work with a broader policy perspective.  Contact by email.
 
Ian Brosnan (DELS/OSB) is currently completing his master’s in marine affairs at the University of Washington’s School of Marine Affairs.  His work focuses on governance in a changing Arctic and he recently co-authored a report on the Arctic region for the National Assembly of Korea.  Prior to entering the School of Marine Affairs, he served with distinction as a U.S. Coast Guard officer, holding positions as a military diver, Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard cutter Cobia, and liaison to members of Congress.  His awards include the Humanitarian Service Medal and the Coast Guard's Commendation Medal.  Following completion of the Mirzayan Fellowship and his master’s degree, he plans to pursue a PhD focusing on the use of advanced tagging and tracking technologies to address marine conservation concerns.  In his free time, Ian enjoys expedition kayaking, diving, and sailing, and micro-brewed IPAs.  Contact by email.
 
Leslie Chamberlain (DEPS/BPA) earned her PhD in December 2009 in astrophysics at the University of North Carolina, where she also received her MS in 2005.  She received her undergraduate degree in physics from the University of North Texas.  In her research, Leslie studies the formation and evolution of galaxies.  For her dissertation, she examined how the age and metal content vary among stellar populations in the S0 galaxy, a particular type of disk galaxy.  She believes that policy decisions at the national level are a critical step in the scientific process and hopes to have a career where she is involved in science policy.  Leslie is excited to become immersed in the policy world through the Mirzayan Fellowship.  Her leisure interests include running, yoga, capoeira, cooking, and playing the banjo.  She also enjoys being active in the community.  Contact by email.
 
Erica Clites (NAE/Media) recently graduated from the University of California, Riverside with a master’s degree in geological sciences.  For her master’s research, she traveled to South Australia to describe fossils of an early animal that resembled a pincushion.  Since July 2009, she has been working as a paleontologist, evaluating fossil sites for the National Park Service in Washington, D.C. This project afforded her the opportunity to learn about resource management, which she found fascinating. Erica also loves to teach, and spent a year teaching English in northeastern Germany as a Fulbright Scholar.  Her bachelor’s degree in geology, with a minor in German studies, was from the College of Wooster. She is excited to explore how research findings shape national policies during her fellowship, and to learn new ways to communicate scientific and technical information with the media relations office of the National Academy of Engineering. Her career goal is to work as a science communicator for a government or non-profit agency engaged in conservation.  In her free time, Erica enjoys playing cards, running, hiking, and cheering for the Michigan Wolverines.  Contact by email.
 
Ali Douraghy (PGA/OFS & DSC) recently completed a Fulbright Scholarship in the United Arab Emirates, where he conducted research on the adoption of a cancer imaging technology called Positron Emission Tomography.  Prior to this, Ali received his PhD in biomedical physics from the UCLA School of Medicine where he focused on the development of novel molecular imaging instruments.  He holds an MS in biomedical engineering and a BS in bioengineering with a minor in Middle Eastern studies. Ali has received several graduate fellowships and honors, including the Norman Baily Award from the American Association of Physicists in Medicine and a training fellowship from the University of California Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation.  Prior to his graduate studies, he spent one year studying at the American University in Cairo.  Ali is fluent in Persian and Arabic. Ali is interested in working to increase international cooperation on science and technology issues.  In particular, his ambition is to utilize science policy as part of the approach to rebuilding U.S. policy with the Muslim world. In his spare time, Ali enjoys panoramic photography and scuba diving.  Contact by email.
 
Sarah Edwards (DEPS/BAST) received her PhD in chemistry from Stanford University in 2008 and her BA in chemistry from Wellesley College in 2002.  Her dissertation research focused on developing biological tools to study proteins in the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae, or budding yeast.  During graduate school, Sarah conducted outreach programs at local schools, taught undergraduate and graduate classes in chemistry and biology, and explored her interest in science and technology policy.  This past year she studied the molecular mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease as a neurology postdoctoral fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School.  Prior to the Fellowship, Sarah returned to her home state of North Carolina to volunteer at the local science museum, teach high school and learn the fundamentals of science journalism.  She is excited to explore the world of science policy as a Mirzayan Fellow, and in the future hopes to apply her scientific knowledge base towards policy-making.  In her free time, Sarah can be found outside exploring, running or swimming, reading, watching movies, at a musical gig, or traveling. Contact by email.
 
Amir Farmanesh (PGA/BISO) received a bachelor of engineering degree from Iran University of Science and Technology (2002) and master's degrees in public administration and international relations from The Maxwell School of Syracuse University (2006). He is working with economics Nobel laureate Thomas Schelling on his dissertation toward a PhD in policy studies and development economics at the University of Maryland. Amir is also working with the University of Maryland and the World Bank as a development economist conducting research on governance transformations related to financial flows, business climate, and political economy of development. He has served as a project manager and advisor to the Iran Minister of Youth Affairs (2003-2004), the Mayor of Tehran (2002-2003), and the Deputy-Speaker of the Iranian Parliament (2002-2003). During his involvement with the Iranian civil society, he cofounded Iran Civil Society House, an umbrella organization for the coalitions of NGOs. Amir has also worked for several units of the World Bank and the United Nations (UN) including the UN (UNEP - UN-Habitat) Governing Councils and served as a committee member on the UN Environment Program Advisory Council. Amir has published papers on illicit financial flows and business bribery, the impact of scale economies on spatial allocation of economic activities, and the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.  Contact by email.
 
Amy Hein (PGA/BHEW) recently graduated with her MA and PhD in neuroscience and psychology from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and is currently pursuing postdoctoral research at the University of Rochester Medical Center. For her graduate research, she studied the behavioral and molecular effects of inflammation on the aged nervous system. As a postdoctoral fellow, she has extended these studies to examine neuroinflammatory changes in models of Alzheimer’s disease and following irradiation and lead exposure. She received her undergraduate degree in neuroscience from the University of Rochester, where she also minored in American Sign Language. During her training, Amy has enjoyed teaching, tutoring, and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students. She looks forward to her upcoming Mirzayan Fellowship with the National Academies and hopes to gain insight on how to influence the crafting of science policy. After her Fellowship, Amy plans to pursue a career in science policy or research administration. In her free time, Amy enjoys hiking, traveling, playing sports, and cooking.  Contact by email.
 
Mengfei Huang (DBASSE/BOSE) just completed her MSc in neuroscience at Oxford University as a Fulbright Scholar. Her research background spans molecular biology, genetics, single-neuron electrophysiology, and fMRI. As an undergraduate at Stanford, she investigated a Drosophila model of the neurodegenerative disease Niemann-Pick Type C (NPC). At Oxford, she conducted human and non-human primate experiments to investigate sensory and cognitive systems. Her interest in science education and public literacy has grown through her work with the Exploratorium museum and the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA), a London-based, multidisciplinary institution for social progress. Together with her experience in intellectual property and management consulting, she has become increasingly fascinated by the way science interfaces with society. She looks forward to exploring these intricacies as a Mirzayan Fellow and working with BOSE to help shape the next generation of science curriculum. She hopes this experience will be excellent preparation for future work on the policy implications of cognitive development research. In her free time, she loves art, dance, attempting to cook, and traveling the world!  Contact by email.
 
Kristina Krasnov (DBASSE/BBCSS) received her PhD in cellular & molecular medicine and health policy certification from Johns Hopkins University Schools of Medicine and Public Health, respectively.  Kristina’s doctorate focused on the molecular biology of protein trafficking and determining why cystic fibrosis mutations cause different degrees of disease manifestation.  During her doctorate, Kristina was also involved with improving the quality of the graduate school experience through her presidency of the Graduate Student Association, during which she focused on improvements in stipend and health care benefits.  Prior to graduate school, Kristina received a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience with a minor in Russian from Johns Hopkins. More recently, Kristina was an intellectual property technical advisor at the law firm Venable, LLP and advocated for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.  Kristina is excited to gain experience in policy as a Mirzayan Fellow with BBCSS.  In moving toward a productive career in science policy, Kristina hopes to further her training in federal policy-making and deepen sophistication in policy research while offering scientific and technical knowledge to support development of well-informed, balanced policies.  In her spare time, Kristina enjoys ballroom dancing and exploring her passion for writing on Yelp.com’s Elite squad.  Contact by email.
 
Hadas Kushnir (DBASSE/HDGC) recently completed her PhD in the Conservation Biology Program at the University of Minnesota where she conducted research on human-lion conflict in Southeastern Tanzania.  Her interest in conservation biology and human-wildlife conflict arose during her undergraduate career at Barnard College, during which she spent a semester abroad in Kenya studying wildlife management.  She enjoys approaching problems from an interdisciplinary perspective and believes that environmental issues can best be solved by engaging with communities.  As an incoming Mirzayan Fellow with the Committee on the Human Dimensions of Global Change, she hopes to contribute to solving pressing environmental concerns while gaining an understanding of how science and technology can effectively inform policy.  Her long-term career goals are to work on international conservation issues in a governmental or non-governmental organization.  In her free time, she enjoys cooking, spin classes, Pilates, traveling, and getting together with friends.  Contact by email.
 
Christina Maranto (DBASSE/DBASSE EO) recently completed her doctoral work in biology at the University of Washington where she focused her research on informing a conservation issue; the impact of seabirds on endangered juvenile salmon in the Columbia River. She holds a master’s degree in ecology and evolutionary biology from the University of California, Irvine and a bachelor’s degree from Bowdoin College. In addition to scientific research, Christina is passionate about improving science education. During her Ph.D. program, Christina received an NSF GK-12 fellowship where she collaborated with a high school teacher in the Seattle Public School System and spent 10 hours per week in the classroom finding creative ways to increase students’ understanding of complex scientific concepts. During the GK-12 fellowship, Christina realized the gap between science curriculum at the high school level and what is necessary to succeed at a four-year college. Her reasons for pursuing the Mirzayan fellowship were twofold: to learn how scientific research is used in policy development and to contribute to improving the educational system while working as a fellow within DBASSE. Christina is part of a sailboat racing team, rock climbs, and is learning how to knit.  Contact by email.
 
Anthony Marino (DELS/BCST) graduated with a PhD in chemistry from the University of Chicago in December 2009. His graduate research examined energy dissipation in the photoprotective biopolymer melanin and the ways in which this photoprotection sometimes fails. Anthony's undergraduate degree in both English and chemistry is from Davidson College, a school small enough for him to have won its prize for best short story one year. His experience in BCST will focus on chemical education and bio-inspired energy research, and he expects it will give him the insight needed to pursue a career working on the problems of funding long product cycles in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries, particularly in the ways in which research in the diseases of impoverished regions can be made financially viable. When he travels, he travels with soccer cleats, just in case.  Contact by email.
 
Jan Paul Mincarelli (PGA/CSTL) is pursuing a PhD in science and technology studies with a concentration in public policy at Virginia Tech. He previously earned his JD at George Washington University and a BS in biotechnology and molecular biology at Michigan State. After law school, he worked at King & Spalding LLP, specializing in complex or mass toxic tort litigation as well as environmental regulatory work. During law school he interned at the Environmental Protection Agency, aiding in the prosecution of civil complaints against violators of federal pesticide or toxic substances regulations. He looks forward to working in the CSTL to continue his passion of working at the intersection of science and law. He hopes to continue working in the policy arena for a few years before transitioning into academia, where he hopes to teach undergraduate science students how law and policy will impact their careers.  In his free time, Jan enjoys learning anything and everything about food and cooking, religiously following his Michigan State Spartans football and basketball teams, and hiking.  Contact by email.
 
Karen Mowrer (NAS/Koshland) is a postdoctoral research fellow at the National Institutes of Health, where she studies the molecular pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease. She received her PhD in biological chemistry and molecular pharmacology from Harvard Medical School in December 2008. During graduate school, her dissertation research focused on alternative splicing of a messenger RNA that encodes a protein implicated in Alzheimer’s disease. Karen regularly volunteers as an exhibit interpreter at the Marian Koshland Science Museum of the National Academy of Sciences, and she looks forward to expanding her role at the museum by developing public programs and assisting with exhibit design as a Mirzayan Fellow. Karen is excited to have the opportunity to apply her scientific knowledge to policy issues beyond the scope of traditional scientific research. Following the Fellowship, she plans to continue her postdoctoral research and pursue a career in science policy. In her free time, she enjoys reading, knitting, visiting historic sites, and running.  Contact by email.
 
Sandeep Patel (PGA/CISAC) earned his PhD in physical chemistry from the Georgia Institute of Technology in January 2009 after receiving his BA from Washington University in St. Louis in 2002. His research focused on the single-molecule and non-linear photophysics of fluorescent silver nanoclusters, and their application to high-resolution imaging and photovoltaics. After completing graduate school, Sandeep spent several months traveling around the world, after which he moved to Berlin to work at the Global Public Policy Institute (GPPi), where he supported the institute's effort to develop effective global energy governance strategies. More specifically, he explored the role of carbon capture and storage (CCS) on global efforts to maintain energy security and fight climate change, particularly in China. He loves to examine issues that lie at the nodes between traditional disciplines, whether it is science and policy, industry and government, or technology and economy.  Sandeep is delighted to participate in the Mirzayan Fellowship, and hopes to gain a more complete understanding of scientific counsel to policymaking during the course of the Fellowship. Afterwards, he plans on continuing a career in public policy or consulting. Sandeep also pursues a variety of peripheral interests, including creative writing, cooking, urban exploration, playing piano poorly, and of course enjoying good conversation.  Contact by email.
 
David Reidmiller (DELS/BASC) is currently completing his PhD in atmospheric sciences at the University of Washington. His doctoral research uses observations from a mountain-top station in central Oregon to improve the understanding of and quantify the long-range transport of air pollution and how it varies on different timescales. David is excited to pursue the applied aspects of his disciplinary dissertation research during his Mirzayan Fellowship at the National Academies. Furthermore, he is anxious to learn from his fellow fellows and explore the science-policy scene in D.C. His career goals include applying scientific research for the betterment of society while serving as an informed link between scientists, policymakers, and the public. David enjoys exploring the forests, mountains and coasts of the Pacific Northwest and attempting to pare down his embarrassing golf handicap.  Contact by email.
 
Michelle Schwalbe (DEPS/BMSA) is currently completing a PhD in mechanical engineering at Northwestern University. She holds an MS in engineering science and applied mathematics from Northwestern and a BS in applied mathematics specializing in computing from UCLA. Her PhD thesis focuses on uncertainty quantification for a multi-scale cancer drug delivery model as well improving teaching mythology for multi-scale science and engineering courses. Michelle has also worked on modeling the California electrical economy at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and modeling electoral opinion formation at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.  Through her participation in the Mirzayan Fellowship, Michelle hopes to gain a better understanding of scientific policy and aspires to utilize this knowledge to better combine her interests in scientific and social works.  Contact by email.
 
Justin Scott (NAS/Koshland) is a materials science and engineering PhD candidate at Northwestern and holds a BS in materials science and mechanical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley.  In his doctoral research, he is investigating the processing and properties of lightweight solid-oxide fuel cell interconnects, thanks to a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship.  Justin is passionate about climate change and energy policy, which stems from his research on an emerging energy technology.  He is currently working with Engineers for a Sustainable World to facilitate the installation of a solar photovoltaic system on campus and serves as an executive member of the Northwestern Energy Technology Group.  In his free time, he also volunteers as a docent at the Field Museum of Chicago, where he has developed an interest in science communication that he is eager to explore in his fellowship with the Koshland Science Museum.  Ultimately, he plans to pursue a career in which he can marry his interests in energy policy and science communication.  When not in the laboratory, Justin can often be found curling, training for his next half marathon, or listening to indie artists at live music venues.  Contact by email.
 
Sara Selgrade (IOM/EBM) graduated from the University of Washington with a PhD in genome sciences in August 2008. In her graduate research, she investigated genetic mechanisms of resistance to small peptide antibiotics in the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Following her graduate studies, she decided to explore the world of policy. Since September 2008, she has been the Genetics and Public Policy Fellow with the American Society of Human Genetics. As part of the fellowship, Sara has worked in the policy group at the National Human Genome Research Institute and as a health policy advisor to Senator Tom Harkin. Sara has officially caught the policy bug and looks forward to working at IOM on value in health care for her Mirzayan Fellowship.  Contact by email.
 
Punit Sharma (PGA/GUIRR) is currently completing his health care executive MBA at the Paul Merage School of Business at the University of California, Irvine.  A major focus of this program is on federal policy in health care.  Not only has Punit been involved with the Center for Health Care Management and Policy at UC Irvine, but has visited Washington, D.C. to meet with key players in the current health reform legislation. Prior to this, Punit earned a BA from Johns Hopkins in cellular and molecular neuroscience, with a minor in computer science.  There, he conducted research in the cortical electrical recording laboratory of the departments of neurology and neurosurgery, and in the retinal degenerations laboratory of the Wilmer Eye Institute.  After leaving Baltimore for his native southern California, Punit gained more than a decade of experience in biotechnology, clinical trials management, IP landscaping, health IT, and health care.  He is committed to finding ways to implement technology in order to increase value in science and health care, and plans to pursue this interest wherever it takes him in the public and private sectors.  Contact by email.
 
Catherine Shields (DELS/DR) is currently working towards a PhD in environmental science and management at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her graduate research is focused on ecohydrology of urban areas, with a particular interest in the impact of fine spatial scale impervious surface configurations on vegetation water use and function. Her graduate research has been supported by an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship and a Toyota Motor Sales Fellowship. Additionally, she has earned an MA in geography and a BS in environmental science, both from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Before returning to graduate school, she was involved in an atmospheric deposition mapping project at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in New York. Catherine looks forward to her Mirzayan Fellowship as an exciting opportunity to learn more about science policy and decision making processes. When she isn't hunched over a computer running ecohydrologic models, Catherine enjoys running on the beaches of Santa Barbara, rock climbing, backpacking, cooking and baking (ask about the cupcake project!), and playing the flute in her band.  Contact by email.
 
Sara Shnider (IOM/HSP) earned a PhD in molecular and cellular biology from Harvard University in November 2009, just prior to beginning the Mirzayan Fellowship. Her doctoral research, partially supported by an NIH National Research Service Award predoctoral fellowship, focused on identification and characterization of genetic controls over the differentiation of corticospinal motor neurons, the critical neuronal population that controls voluntary movement in humans, and whose degeneration in diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) lead to debilitating, incurable paralysis.  While in graduate school, Sara served as a scientific advisor for Prize4Life, a non-profit organization based on inducement prizes for breakthroughs in ALS research. Sara earned a BSc in biology with honors from Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and an MSc in bioinformatics from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel.  Sara’s career goals include developing approaches for accelerating innovation and translational research to improve disease therapeutics and patient outcomes.  Sara is excited about the Mirzayan Fellowship as an excellent opportunity to gain a more in-depth knowledge of the mechanisms for accelerating breakthroughs in translational research through policy avenues. In her free time, Sara enjoys hiking, traveling, watching foreign and indie films, and spending time with friends.  Contact by email.
 
Valerie Henderson Summet (NAE/CEES) is currently completing her PhD in computer science at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Her research examines how mobile technologies can be used for learning (“m-learning”) and algorithms for adaptive instruction. She also occasionally teaches the course “Computing and Society” at Georgia Tech. Valerie’s graduate studies were supported by a National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship and a National Science Foundation East Asia Pacific Summer Institute Fellowship. Valerie sees the Mirzayan Fellowship and working with CEES as a chance to expand her understanding of the ethical dilemmas facing the fast-paced world of engineering and science.  In the long term, Valerie would like to remain in academia and work at an undergraduate focused university and hopes to incorporate many of the things she learns at the NAE into future classes. Valerie graduated from Duke University and loves to watch college basketball. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, sewing, and traveling.  Contact by email.
 
Victoria Wittig (IOM/BPH) graduated from the University of Illinois with a PhD in plant biology in May 2008.  Her thesis research quantified the impacts of two rising greenhouse gases, tropospheric ozone and carbon dioxide, on the growth and productivity of trees.  Results from her research indicate that the enhancement of tree growth under elevated carbon dioxide could be diminished or all together eliminated if tropospheric ozone continues to rise as projected.  This has implications for understanding and modeling the global carbon cycle and climate change.  Beyond her PhD, Victoria was a post-doctoral research associate in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences, also at the University of Illinois, where she improved models of photosynthesis to project impacts of global changes on the terrestrial carbon cycle.  Following her dream to apply science to environmental policy analysis, she transitioned out of academia and into the non-profit sector in June 2008, accepting an internship with the Union of Concerned Scientists. She then moved to the Pew Environment Group, where she acquired experience in advocacy, outreach and the political process in Washington, D.C.  In her free time, Victoria enjoys cycling, yoga and attempting to play guitar.  Contact by email.
 
Caira M. Woods (IOM/HCS & NCPF) completed her PhD in basic medical sciences at New York University in December 2009.  Her research was funded by a National Research Service Award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and received an honorable mention from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program.  Caira is a member of Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society and a magna cum laude graduate of Spelman College in Atlanta.  During and after college, she participated in summer science programs at Spelman, NIH, Duke University Medical Center and NSF.  As an intern, Caira evaluated NSF-funded workshops on broadening participation.  This experience introduced her to science policy and solidified her desire to pursue a career in this field.  Caira is particularly interested in public understanding of science, broadening participation, global competitiveness and health policy and is thrilled to have the opportunity to gain a more in-depth perspective on the role scientists can play in implementing and improving programs in these areas.  Caira is a native of Chicago and enjoys mentoring and bowling in her spare time.  Contact by email.