Experience

Health Scientist Administrator, AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow – National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (2023-2025)
As a AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow at NINDS, I received training in federal policymaking, budgeting, rulemaking, congressional engagement, and legislative reporting. My work has centered on advancing health equity in neuroscience research, particularly in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, pain research, and the intersection of chronic pain and opioid misuse.

I played a key role in coordinating the implementation of the NINDS Health Equity Strategic Plan, ensuring that funding priorities, research initiatives, and stakeholder engagement efforts aligned with the institute’s broader equity goals. I also helped organize workshops and meetings that brought together community partners, patient advocates, and researchers to integrate lived experiences into research and policy discussions. Additionally, I contributed to the development of federal research initiatives, including the first NINDS Health Equity Research in Neuroscience grants program and the Native Collective Research Effort to Enhance Wellness (N CREW), a community-driven initiative focused on Indigenous health research.

Policy Director, Interim Campaign Manager – Friends of Emily Myers (2019)
In 2019, Emily Myers, PhD, ran for Seattle City Council District 4 as a scientist and union leader, advocating for evidence-based policies to address the climate crisis and homelessness in Seattle. As her volunteer Policy Director, I developed a comprehensive policy platform, responded to over 40 policy questionnaires from endorsing organizations, and engaged with experts in city and county housing, transportation, and behavioral health policy. These efforts led to endorsements from Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal and over 20 labor unions. Dr. Myers placed 3rd in a highly competitive 10-candidate primary, receiving praise for her detailed policy plans.

In addition, I served as her Interim Campaign Manager, where I hired staff, managed the budget, and coordinated meetings during the first four months of the campaign.

Co-Founder of Washington Science Policy Network In an effort to increase collaboration with graduate students across Washington State, I cofounded WASPN in 2018. We collaborated with groups at WSU Pullman and WSU Health Sciences to hold a Research America Non-Partisan candidate forum in the run-up to the 2018 mid-term election with candidates for congress and the state legislature attending. The forum focused on policy solutions for the opioid crisis in rural Washington.

Co-Founder & Policy Lead – Scientists Advocating for Representation, Justice, & Equity (SARJE) (2017-2020)
SARJE was founded to promote a culture of safety, equity, and belonging in STEM. As Policy Lead, I coordinated with the UW Medical School to design and implement a climate survey, analyzed results, and developed policy recommendations to improve mentorship quality and reduce discrimination. SARJE has successfully pushed for increased diversity in hiring, better anti-harassment training, and more comprehensive climate assessments within UW’s medical and graduate schools.

Leadership Board Member – UW Science & Policy Committee (2017-2020)
As a student leader in the UW Science & Policy Committee, I played a key role in organizing the annual White Paper Project, which trains graduate students in science policy writing and connects them with local organizations to draft policy recommendations. I also helped coordinate the Lunch & Learn Series, a biweekly career panel featuring science policy professionals discussing their career paths.

Advocacy Experience & Accolades

Presenter 2018 Society for Neuroscience Policy Session on Candidate Forum

Presenter 2018 Society for Neuroscience Science & Society Session on Advocating for Justice & Equity in STEM

2018 Awardee Research America Bipartisan Civic Engagement Grant

2018 AAAS Sponsored Attendee at Making Our CASE workshop

2018 Rally for Medical Research Advocate

2018 Huskies on the Hill Lobbying Day

Presenter – Engage Science Communication Seminar “Intro to Science Policy” Lecture 2019, 2020

2018 Husky 100 Awardee for work advocating for equity in STEM