Rutgers’ Eagleton Institute of Politics Announces 2021-2022 Science and Politics Fellows

Seven scientists will apply their expertise to the development of state policy

 

 

September 16, 2021 – Rutgers’ Eagleton Institute of Politics announced that seven scientists  have been selected for the 2021-2022 cohort of Eagleton Science and Politics Fellows. Over the next year, the Eagleton Science Fellows will serve as full-time science advisors in New Jersey state government and will assist in the development and implementation of state policy for issues ranging from COVID-19 response, clean energy, sustainability, insurance of coastal properties, and others.

“We are thrilled to welcome another class of Eagleton Science & Politics Fellows who will support and increase the capacity of the New Jersey state government to use scientific evidence in policy making,” said Anna Dulencin, Ph.D., senior program coordinator for the Eagleton Science and Politics Initiative. “Now more than ever, as our nation and state respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and increasing severity of weather events, scientists are needed at the table to help inform best practices for public health policy.”

The 2021-2022 Eagleton Science Fellows were selected from a pool of candidates with Ph.D. or equivalent degrees in the sciences for their accomplishments as scientists, interest in the American political system, and passion for public service. The high-caliber individuals selected all have a desire to better understand how politics affect their scientific discipline and how they can effectively engage with state leaders and institutions.

  • Virginia Folgado Marco, Ph.D., has a doctorate in Biomedical Sciences from Albert Einstein College of Medicine and will serve as a science aide at the New Jersey Office of Innovation.
  • Joseph Gurrentz, Ph.D., has a doctorate in inorganic chemistry from The University of Texas at Austin and will serve as a science aide at the New Jersey State Legislature, Senate Majority Office.
  • Jesse Kolodin, Ph.D., has a doctorate in environmental science and management from Montclair State University and will serve as a science aide at the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance.
  • Federica Lari, Ph.D., has a doctorate in cancer cell biology and will serve as a science aide at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
  • Gabriel Moore, Ph.D., has a doctorate in molecular biology from Princeton University and will serve as a science aide at the New Jersey Department of Health.
  • Sawyer Morgan, Ph.D., has a doctorate in chemical engineering from University of Washington and will serve as a science aide at the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.
  • Zixuan Wang, Ph.D., has a doctorate in chemical engineering from University of Michigan and will serve as a science aide in the New Jersey State Legislature, Assembly Majority Office.

John Weingart, the Eagleton Institute’s associate director, expressed the Institute’s “deep gratitude and appreciation to supporters of the fellowship. This includes the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Governor Phil Murphy, and the New Jersey Legislature – especially Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker. The fellowship would not be possible without their support.”

Learn more about the Eagleton Science and Politics Fellowship.