Fellows

“This was my first step into the policy world as a natural scientist, and it provided me with insight into potential career directions.”

Summer Responsibilities: Working with the assistant state forester, Hazel investigated the potential of using forest conservation and reforestation as a tool to protect source water throughout the state. She identified policies and laws that other states have adopted that strengthen this connection.

Background: Hazel focuses her research on developing live-cell monitoring probes for protein tyrosine phosphatases using chemical biology tools. During her career, Hazel has published as a co-author in ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letter and presented twice at ACS National Meetings. Her goal in life is to make contributions to benefit society and the human race through the lens of science, whether via developing life-saving drugs or advising policymaking that truly benefits the community.

“I learned a lot about writing for a policy audience, the way government functions day to day, and science policy career options in government.”

Summer Responsibilities: Casie investigated geographic disparities as part of the board’s 2023 annual assessment. She compiled a database of services offered by each of Virginia’s 40 Community Service Boards and researched Internet use among people with disabilities, with particular emphasis on challenges facing citizens in rural areas.

Background: Casie Investigates fibrotic and immune response in murine model of acute respiratory distress syndrome and treatment through inhalation of novel extracellular matrix nanoparticles. She presented research posters at the 2021 Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Meeting and the 2023 American Thoracic Society International Conference. She was second author on two poster presentations at the 2022 Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Meeting and gave an oral presentation at the 2022 Society for Biomaterials Annual Meeting.

“The COVES Fellowship allowed me to develop existing skills, incorporate new ones, and gain access to a larger network.”

Summer Responsibilities: Lacee reviewed VDOT’s policies on connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) and conducted research that led her to compile a series of recommendations that will enable the department to upgrade its CAV testing procedures. These recommendations will be considered as part of VDOT’s CAV readiness strategy.

Background: Lacee served as a graduate research assistant at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory.

“Through my COVES Fellowship, I gained access to a network of life science leaders and policymakers across Virginia.”

Summer Responsibilities: Nicholas developed a legislative toolkit to help VBA members better understand the policy landscape and interact more productively with state legislators. As part of its development, he proposed policy positions on such issues as prescription drug pricing, rare disease funding, and other issues impacting the bioeconomy.

Background: Nicholas’ long-term research interests involve investigating large databases for molecular signatures and pathways that contribute to the development of human disease and is currently applying these insights to Parkinson’s disease. His goal is to establish and improve the resources available for translational medicine. His current research applies these concepts to Parkinson’s disease. Formerly, he was an NSF fellow working in an interdisciplinary team that engaged with community stakeholders to create fundamental research and translational innovations aimed at challenges related to disability.

“I will continue to be involved in assisting to draft the final report for the General Assembly.” 

Summer Responsibilities: Elena wrote briefing documents for members of the regulatory advisory panel (RAP) called for by HB 206, which safeguards Virginia’s natural resources from the adverse impacts of small, renewable energy projects. They also provided minutes for RAP stakeholder meetings and interfaced with partner organizations.

Background: Based in the Eckert Lab at Virginia Commonwealth University, Elena focuses on plant evolutionary genetics. Currently, their research focuses on the reproductive systems of angiosperms, and how reproductive strategies impact evolutionary trajectories. Broadly, they are also interested in conservation genetics, the impacts of global change, and science policy and outreach. While their research is largely computational, they maintain an active interest in field botany and plant identification, especially the flora native to Virginia.

“I look forward to continuing to engage with Sen. Hashmi’s offi ce in using my policy recommendations to help draft bills and engage key stakeholders.”

 Summer Responsibilities: Kyle drew on their background in healthcare access, health decision-making, and health disparities to identify legislative gaps that undermine healthcare accessibility and to suggest solutions. They articulated their findings in a memo to Sen. Hashmi, focusing on the need to go beyond affordability to achieve healthcare equity.

Background: Kyle engages in research and scholarship at the intersections of health disparities (e.g., violence exposure, psychological distress, and chronic illness), inequities in healthcare (e.g., discrimination and erasure), and deleterious and efficacious health behaviors (e.g., healthcare underutilization and treatment adherence) that have implications for public health. They were recently to the City of Richmond Human Rights Commission.

“I gained an appreciation of the many factors—in addition to science— that policymakers must consider when writing policy.”

 Summer Responsibilities: Alie drafted over 50 scoping comments that help organizations align their permit requests with state and federal regulations. She also performed a statistical analysis of two years of scoping documents to determine areas of greatest activity, helping the commission better prioritize requests and distribute workload.

Background: Alie’s research aims to reconstruct the behavior of Antarctica’s least stable glaciers through recent millennia using marine sediment cores, knowing that changes at the poles will affect people in coastal communities at all latitudes.  She began exploring her interest in science-based policymaking through an internship with the United Nations Environment Programme in 2018, during which she covered hearings on such topics as sustainable fisheries and challenges faced by Indigenous communities in the Arctic.

“I witnessed firsthand how individual skill and expertise help the third largest economic engine in the Commonwealth reach its objectives.”

Summer Responsibilities: Nathan supported efforts to determine the carbon footprint generated by terminal shuttles at the Norfolk International Terminal and at the Virginia International Gateway. His findings assisted the port’s environmental planning and design consultant in helping the port reach its 2040 net zero emissions goal.

Background: Nathan has served as an adjunct instructor and director of the School of Engineering and Technology summer bridge program at Hampton University (HU) and as a lead graduate teaching assistant for the Materials Science Laboratory at ODU. Having passed his candidacy exam, Nathan is approaching the completion of his proposal and is commencing biomechanical-focused dissertation work. Nathan is invested in STEM education, which includes competency, innovation, retention, and support for historically marginalized groups.

“The COVES Fellowship gave me the opportunity to look at very large and complex real-world problems and develop comprehensive, integral, and sustainable solutions.”

Summer Responsibilities: At the DBHDS Office of Recovery Services, Xu converted data collected from listening sessions about the effectiveness of the office into actionable, traceable, and measurable outcomes using a variety of analytic frameworks. He had the opportunity to present his findings to department leadership as well as a large peer audience.

Background: Xu is broadly interested in studying decision guidance systems, digital products and markets, technology adoption and entrepreneurship. He has also had several years of professional experience across multiple industries both in the U.S. and in China. Being a close observer of how modern information technologies influence businesses and societies worldwide, Xu is committed to exploring innovative ways of bringing the most benefits from technologies to the people in this world.

“Being a COVES fellow changed my life. I am now planning to embark on a career in science policy.”

Summer Responsibilities: During her fellowship, Alissa built on her research skills and honed her communications skills. Among other activities, she prepared talking points for the senator’s speaking engagements, hosted a town hall event, and worked directly with constituents to help address their concerns.

Background: Alissa works with freshwater mussels, an extremely endangered aquatic fauna. Her research encompasses genetics, physiology, population demographics, reproduction, and life-history of freshwater mussels, which she has worked with for over a decade. Alissa hopes to combine her interests in aquatic science and ecology with her interests in human health in her future career.