Title: "Weaving Opportunities for Science Communication and Policy Through My Chemistry Education"

Annabelle Lolinco, PhD, Congressional Science and Engineering Fellow serving in the House of Representatives through the ACS's Public Policy Fellowship

Hosted By: Chemistry Graduate Student Liaison Committee (GSLC)

Abstract

Finding the journey you want your life to take can involve a myriad of factors, such as keeping an open mind, being reflexive, and growing authentic connections. This seminar covers the different threads of opportunities in research, career exploration, and professional development that built a robust profile to kickstart and grow a career in science policy. A brief summary of the graduate work Annabelle has done focused on understanding and improving communications-related work in the chemical sciences will be presented. Then, an exploration of opportunities to engage in science policy, advocacy, communication, and diplomacy will be discussed. Finally, the seminar will provide some insights into what it is like to be a legislative fellow through the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowship. 

Bio 

Annabelle Lolinco  received her B.S. in Biochemistry and B.A. in Communication at California State University, Fresno in 2016. She knew she wanted to combine her dual interests and had the opportunity to explore what science policy can be with the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s Catalyzing Advocacy for Science and Engineering (AAAS CASE) workshop. Annabelle attended Iowa State University (ISU) where she received her M.S. in Physical Chemistry and Ph.D. in Chemistry with a specialization in Chemical Education under the supervision of Drs. Theresa Windus and Tom Holme, respectively.  

She has been an active American Chemical Society (ACS) volunteer since 2014, starting with her time as an undergraduate student chapter leader. Currently, she sits on the national ACS Younger Chemists Committee, serves on several educational advisory boards,  and coordinates communications for the ACS Division of Professional Relations (PROF). Outside of the chemical sciences, her portfolio extends to work she has done within the science policy and communication spaces, such as the National Science Policy Network (NSPN), Cultivating Ensembles, and ComSciCon. In her tenure at NSPN, she has crafted opportunities for early-career researchers to explore, delve into, and develop a voice and agency in intersectional policy topics, e.g., advancing rural broadband access; investing in science and education in rural America, and interpreting and translating science across boundaries.  

Annabelle Lolinco is a Congressional Science and Engineering Fellow serving in the House of Representatives through the ACS’s Public Policy Fellowship. The fellowship is part of a broader Science and Technology Policy Fellowship managed by AAAS bringing science expertise to all three branches of the federal government – executive, judicial, and legislative. Her current portfolio includes telecommunications and technology policy issues.