The JSPG staff
JSPG staff are dedicated to the empowerment of students, postdocs, policy fellows, and early career professionals in science policy debate across all disciplines and professions around the world. JSPG staff are leading outreach, partnership development, communication, fundraising, and operations.
Director of Communications
and Public Affairs |
André Porter is the Director of Communications and Public Affairs at the Journal of Science Policy & Governance. A science-policy professional, André Porter is a Senior Program Officer at the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine. Prior to his time at NASEM, André managed field operations as the Policy Director for Science is US at the American Association for the Advancement of Science. His professional experience includes working in government and non-governmental organizations to advance policies that impact the U.S. STEM enterprise and increase the use of peer-reviewed scientific evidence in policymaking. André has engaged stakeholders across the U.S. to highlight and amplify their perspectives and facilitate their national and local decision-making participation.
Before his time at AAAS, André was the Science Policy Analyst for the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. At ASBMB, his responsibilities included tracking and leading formal responses to federal policies that directly impacted the ASBMB's members. In addition, he organized advocacy campaigns to increase federal support for scientific agencies such as the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and the Department of Energy. He has participated in several coalitions, including the Coalition for National Science Funding, the STEM Education Coalition, the Coalition for Health Funding, and NDD united. During his time in the federal government, André worked at the National Science Foundation in the Division of Graduate Education and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's National Center for Environmental Research. His responsibilities included program management and development for graduate and undergraduate STEM education programs, transdisciplinary capacity building, portfolio evaluation, research dissemination, and increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion for underrepresented groups in STEM. André holds a B.S. and M.S. in biology from Howard University. His passions involve advancing the use of scientific evidence for decision-makers, increasing participation of underrepresented groups in science policy, and the intersection of science policy and diplomacy to facilitate innovation. |
Director of Programs and Events
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Julianne McCall is the Director of Programs and Events at the Journal of Science Policy & Governance. By day, Julianne serves as Co-Director of the California Initiative to Advance Precision Medicine, housed within the Governor's Office of Planning and Research. In that role, she oversees cross-sector health policy working groups and projects, research grantmaking, and state government interagency efforts, which include serving on Governor Newsom's COVID-19 Testing Task Force and as a co-author of the first CA Surgeon General's Report on Adverse Childhood Experiences. Previously, Dr. McCall worked on public health and research policy in the California Senate Office of Research and as a Science and Technology Policy Fellow of the California Council on Science and Technology. Prior to her career in policy, she spent sixteen years in neuroscience research labs, including the Salk Institute, Stanford University, the Cleveland Clinic, and the National Center for Microscopy Imaging Research. She conducted medical research as a Fulbright Fellow in Sweden and as a neuroscientist at the Neuroregeneration Laboratory of Heidelberg University in Germany.
In the community, Dr. McCall teaches graduate courses in Science Policy at UC Riverside and UC Davis, serves on the Editorial Board of the California Journal of Politics and Policy, occasionally directs the International "Brain Bee" Neuroscience Olympiad for high school students across fifty countries, and is the co-founder of TEDxFulbright, the Sacramento Brain Bee, and a chapter of the Sustained Dialogue Campus Network for racial justice. She earned a PhD in Neuroscience from Heidelberg University in Germany, a Master's degree in Biomedical Sciences from UC San Diego, and a Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience from Denison University. |
Podcast Director and Producer
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Aaron Conrado is the Podcast Director and Producer at the Journal of Science Policy and Governance. By day, he is a Program Coordinator and Senior Analyst at Noblis where he supports the Department of Homeland Security in the office of University Programming. He previously served as a Highly Qualified Expert at the Office of Counternarcotics and Stabilization Policy (CN&SP) in the Department of Defense (DoD). In this role, he supported CN&SP through working on peacekeeping policy, including UN reform, improving peacekeeper performance, building partner capacity, and leading DoD efforts toward the 2021 high-level Peacekeeping Ministerial in South Korea. Aaron formerly served as a Science and Technology Policy Fellow through The American Association for the Advancement of Science in the same office at DoD, bringing his scientific training in evidence-based decision making to a novel field.
He also serves as a Lecturer at The Archer Center in Washington DC, where he leads discussion sections for Dr. Joel Swerdlow’s “The Politics of National Memory” class, as well as lectures on the intersection of science and democracy, and how scientific practices and ways of thinking can better inform public policy and good governance. Aaron got his start in science policy when he served as an intern at the Office of Science and Technology Policy, where he worked on policy topics such as STEM education, GMOs, A.I., biomedical research, and biosecurity. After a brief stint moonlighting as a cocktail bartender, he found his way back to policy, and is now seeking further opportunities to support the science policy community. Aaron holds a B.S. in microbiology from The University of Oklahoma, and a Ph.D. in microbiology and molecular biology from The University of Texas at Austin. In his time in graduate school, he co-hosted “They Blinded Me With Science”, a live radio show and podcast where he interviewed UT Austin researchers about their work and passions. He was also an associate editor on the “Sci on the Fly” podcast during his time as a AAAS STP Fellow. |
Director of Outreach & Engagement
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Suryesh Namdeo is Director of Outreach & Engagement of the Journal of Science Policy & Governance. Suryesh is a visiting scholar at DST Centre for Policy Research (DST CPR) at the Indian Institute of Science, where he contributes to policy research projects on Biosecurity, Science Diplomacy and Open Science. He earlier worked as the Programme Officer of the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy Fellowship Programme of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India at the DST CPR, Indian Institute of Science. His responsibilities included the overall coordination of the programme, capacity development and partnership building.
Previously, Suryesh worked with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs in Geneva. More specifically, he worked as the Science and Technology consultant with the Implementation Support Unit of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). Here, his responsibilities included facilitating advice on the latest advancements in Science and Technology in the areas of biosafety and biosecurity. He is a co-author and signatory of the UN supported ‘Seoul Youth Declaration for Disarmament’ and the Youth Declaration for Biosecurity’. Further, he is a member of the executive team of Science Policy Forum (SPF), an open, independent, collaborative platform to promote science and technology policy in India. SPF was the official partner with DST and the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India (O/o PSA) for the public consultation process of the draft national STI policy. He led the social media outreach for SPF and also contributed to the Emerging Technology Initiative in partnership with the O/o PSA and the Indian foreign ministry. He holds a PhD in Molecular Biology from the Max Planck Institute for Biology, Tuebingen, Germany. He is a member and the international relations coordinator of the Indian National Young Academy of Sciences (INYAS). |
Director of Operations
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Maria Qadri is the Director of Operations at the Journal of Science Policy & Governance. Maria currently serves as the Scientific Communications Postdoctoral Fellow for the Knowledge Transfer and Outreach arm of the NSF-funded Center for the Advancement of STEM Leadership (CASL) based at the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) in Washington, DC. Within CASL and the AAC&U Office of Undergraduate STEM Education, her research centers on capacity building for thought leadership and professional development programming for STEM faculty. In her work, she aims to empower STEM faculty, particularly those at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, to share their authentic narratives and invaluable insights as broadly as possible through both traditional and non-traditional avenues. Before joining AAC&U, Maria worked in science policy and project management consulting at Ripple Effect, and as editorial staff at the American College of Radiology.
Throughout her career, her professional and scholarly work has been committed to accessible and inclusive STEM education, science policy, and science communication. She is an active member of the Association for Women in Science, the National Science Policy Network, and 500 Women Scientists. Qadri earned her Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering and Quantitative Biomedicine in 2018 from Rutgers University as well as an M.S. from the University of Connecticut and a B.S. from the University of Hartford. |
Director of Data Analytics and
Impact Evaluation |
Ben Davis-Purcell is the Director of Data Analytics and Impact Evaluation at the Journal of Science Policy & Governance. He is a science policy professional, physicist, and science communicator.
In his day job, Ben is a Policy Analyst at the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) through the Mitacs Canadian Science Policy Fellowship. He holds a PhD in Experimental Particle Physics from Carleton University (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada), where he worked as a member of the ATLAS Collaboration at CERN. He also holds Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Physics from McMaster University. Ben is passionate about science communication and education. He is involved in many outreach and teaching activities, including his role on the Organizing Committee of ComSciConCAN, Canada’s science communication conference for graduate students. |
Media Engagement Director
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Chiungwei Huang is a chemist and science writer. She works for Eastman Chemical Co. as an analytical scientist, where she develops testing methods to diagnose chemicals so that they can be used to improve people's lives. She was a AAAS Mass Media Science and Engineering Fellow in 2022 and reported on science, technology, and health in a way that the average newspaper reader can understand. Chiungwei also guest writes for features and on her blog about social issues of science as a minority, first-generation immigrant, and mother scientist.
At the JSPG, Chiungwei inspires and encourages conversations with new audiences to increase the reach and impact of JSPG’s published work. Chiungwei is passionate about making science accessible and inclusive and as a media-trained scientist, she anticipates growing leadership in science policy to shape the future of science and its impact on humans. Chiungwei holds a PhD in Physical Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA, and a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from National Chiao-Tung University, Taiwan. |
Director of International Engagement
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Brendan Phillips is the Director of International Engagement at the Journal of Science Policy & Governance. A public health professional, Brendan is currently an emergency public health consultant with MDB Inc. in Washington, DC and a current student in the Biostatistics MPH program with the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University.
In his work as a consultant, Brendan works with federal, state, and local government agencies to improve their resilience to public health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic and design emergency response plans. Prior to his work as a consultant, Brendan was a Peace Corps volunteer focused on public health outreach in Togo. At JSPG, Brendan works to advance the journal’s international visibility, reach, and impact of published work. Brendan’s research interest is in using science to investigate the world’s biggest issues including global health, economic development, and biosecurity. |
Editorial Program Manager
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Patience Kiyuka is a Scientist at the Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kenya. Her research interests are in immunology and molecular epidemiology of infectious diseases. Patience is keen on translating research into policy and engaging with policymakers. She is an award-winning science content creator and winner of the prestigious inaugural National Academies Eric Wendy Schmidt award for excellence in science communications. She has also developed community theatre, radio dramas and radio talk shows and used virtual reality technology for science engagement.
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Ambassador Program Manager
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Matt Martin is an Ambassador Program Manager at the Journal of Science Policy & Governance. He is a Master’s student in the Bioethics & Science Policy program at Duke University. His policy interests center around the ethical and legal challenges of health innovation, particularly those associated with emerging biotechnology and technology transfer. He has explored these interests through several projects, most recently with the National Cancer Institute’s Technology Transfer Center, and further advocates for local STEM engagement through his service with Engineers & Scientists Acting Locally (ESAL). Before Duke, he served as a Program Associate at Research!America, a health research advocacy alliance, and was a fellow in the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) for Young Professionals program. He received his B.S. in Chemistry from Furman University.
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Advisors
JSPG advisors provide guidance on strategic outreach, engagement and partnership development for the journal to fulfill its mission of empowering students, postdocs, policy fellows, and early career professionals around the world.
Strategic Advisor
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Adriana Bankston is JSPG's Strategic Advisor. By day, Adriana works on building a robust STEM workforce through research, training, policy and advocacy.
Adriana has worked to foster the future of U.S. science and technology by supporting the next generation of scientists in their research endeavors through non-profit organizations and scientific societies, including currently as a Senior Fellow in Science Policy at Federation of American Scientists, and previously through the National Postdoctoral Association, American Society for Cell Biology, Future of Research and Society for Neuroscience. Additionally, Adriana has facilitated substantial engagement for early career scientists in science policy and advocacy through non-profit organizations such as the STEM Advocacy Institute and as a fellow with Advancing Research Impact in Society (ARIS), as well as many universities including the University of California System and Arizona State University. Adriana continues to highlight the importance of federally funded research in society and engage early career researchers in science policy through innovative programs and tools with non-profit organizations, including as a Senior Fellow in Civic Science & Public Policy with Sigma Xi, CEO & Managing Publisher of the Journal of Science Policy & Governance, and part of the AAAS Section X Steering Group. Adriana is also Founder & CEO of Bankston Policy Consulting LLC, a consulting firm that works on empowering early career researchers to engage in policy change and seeks to build a strong STEM workforce that can ensure our nation’s competitiveness in science and technology. Over the years, Adriana has spoken at several national and international conferences and workshops, including at the British Embassy, UNESCO, NASEM and AAAS CASE. She has given a number of oral and written interviews. Her work in the field has appeared in several writing outlets such as Issues in Science & Technology, Inside Higher Ed and the Union of Concerned Scientists Blog. In recognition of her contributions to workforce development in research, higher education and science policy, Adriana received a number of honors and awards, including the inaugural ARIS Emerging Broader Impacts Leader Award, and Top 20 in 2022 Award For Excellence in Advocacy from The Advocacy Association. Adriana earned her Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Cell and Developmental Biology from Emory University. Connect with Adriana on Twitter, LinkedIn, or at https://adrianabankston.com/. |
Senior Advisor for International Engagement
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Jean-Christophe (JC) Mauduit is JSPG's Senior Advisor for International Engagement. By day, JC serves as a Lecturer in Science Diplomacy at University College London Department of Science, Technology, Engineering in Public Policy (UCL STEaPP). He was previously a Visiting Scholar at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Washington, D.C. and former Associate Director of the Science Diplomacy Center at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in Boston, MA.
Initially trained as a scientist, obtaining a BSc in Physics from Paris XI University, an MSc and a PhD (2007) in Astronomy and Astrophysics from the Paris Observatory, he worked for the French National Center for Scientific Research on the European Space Agency “Gaia” satellite mission and at the California Institute of Technology on the NASA “Spitzer” infrared satellite. His career later took him to South Africa, where he was a Project Officer for the International Astronomical Union, overseeing more than forty international projects aiming to develop astronomy research, education, and outreach in over thirty countries. He has also been involved in many science education and outreach programs and was an Associate Editor on the Journal of Science Policy and Governance (2016-2018). He is the co-founder of the Science Diplomacy Club at the Fletcher School, Tufts University, where he recently obtained a Master of Art in Law and Diplomacy (2017). He is a member of the American Astronomical Society, the International Astronomical Union and AAAS. |
Advisor for International Outreach
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Alessandro Allegra is JSPG's Advisor for International Outreach. By day, Alessandro is a science policy professional and scholar interested in understanding and shaping the interface between science, politics, and society in Europe. He currently works as Policy Officer at the European Commission Science Advice Mechanism, and has professional experience in UK, EU, and international science policy, having worked at UNESCO, the Royal Society of London, and the UK Royal Society of Biology. Coming from an academic background in philosophy of science, Alessandro is completing a PhD in Science, Technology and Society (STS) at University College London (UCL), as part of which he spent a year as Fulbright-Schuman Fellow at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. He co-founded the #ScienzaInParlamento science policy campaign in Italy, and served as Secretary of the Association of Italian Scientists in the UK (AISUK).
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Senior Advisor
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Shalin Jyotishi is a senior analyst, writer, and strategist at New America. He is also a Fellow at the World Economic Forum leading Future of Work research and a Forbes contributor covering workforce and education innovation. Shalin’s mission is to solve problems about the workforce, higher education, policy, technological innovation, and their intersections.
Shalin’s expertise has appeared in NPR, Morning Consult, EdSurge, Financial Times, InsideHigherEd, and the Chronicle of Higher Education, and on high-level stages at the United Nations, OECD, World Bank, U.S. National Academies, and the Education Writers Association. Shalin serves or served on advisory boards for the U.S. National Science Foundation, MIT, United Nations, the International Economic Development Council, the American Enterprise Institute, George Washington University’s Institute for Public Policy, and Georgetown University’s Center on Security and Emerging Technology. He was named a 2021 Davos invitee and a University Innovation Fellow by Stanford University. Previously, Shalin was Visiting Scholar at the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the world’s largest scientific society, where he co-authored a book on science and technology policy (Forthcoming MIT Press). He led teams and programs at the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, North America’s oldest presidential higher education association, to aid university executives with economic and workforce development and R&D innovation. Shalin was CEO of the internationally-acclaimed Journal of Science Policy & Governance and held positions at the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the University of Michigan, and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Shalin earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia and his M.S. in Public Interest Technology from Arizona State University. Reach him at Twitter, LinkedIn, and ShalinJyotishi.com. |
 Founder
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Max G. Bronstein is the Founder of the Journal of Science Policy & Governance. He holds a Masters in Public Policy and a Graduate Certificate in Science Policy from the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan. His undergraduate degrees are in biology and writing composition from Ithaca College. Max has held positions at the National Science Foundation, the U.S. House Committee on Science and Technology, the University of Michigan, the National Institutes of Health, and the Michigan Journal of Public Affairs. Max has significant consulting experience in government affairs and non-profit services with a focus on science and technology policy. He is the former Director of Science Policy at Research!America and and the Chief Advocacy and Science Policy Officer of the EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases, and former Senior Director of Health Policy & Corporate Affairs at Audentes Therapeutics. Max currently works as an Assistant Director in the OSTP Health & Life Sciences team.
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