AGU 2002-2003 Congressional Science Fellow

Illa Amerson, a Ph.D. candidate at the Oregon Health & Science University in Beaverton, was selected as AGU's 26th Congressional Science Fellow for 2002-2003.  Starting in September, Amerson will serve a one-year assignment in the office of a senator or representative, or on a committee's staff as one of only a handful of scientists on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.  Once in an office, Amerson can expect to work as a regular member of the staff, serving as a legislative assistant.  Her duties could include advising her boss how to vote on specific bills, writing speeches or press releases, crafting legislation, meeting with lobbyists and special interest groups, and even answering constituent mail.

Amerson expects to receive her Ph.D. in environmental science and engineering this summer.  Her dissertation focuses on the environmental impact of the gasoline additive methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE).  She completed a M.S. in civil and environmental engineering at Arizona State University and a S.B. in chemical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  Amerson has also spent three years working in environmental regulation and consulting, dealing primarily with air and water quality issues.

In September, prior to this one-year assignment, Amerson will join nearly 40 other Congressional Science and Engineering Fellows for a two-week crash course in politics and the legislative process sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.  Following the course, Fellows will seek placement in Congressional offices where they can put their knowledge and skills to use.  Demand is high for scientists and engineers; the number of requests typically exceeds the number of Fellows available.  This reflects, in part, the fact that most Congressional staff members know little about science or technology.  An increasing number of legislative issues have significant components involving science and technology, ranging from climate change to stem cell research.

In applying for the fellowship, Amerson indicated that she was interested in "an individual office with ties to several committees."  Her interests include environmental and natural resource issues, technology development, education, and funding-allocation.  Amerson noted: "I am community-oriented at heart, viewing technical and scientific information in the context of society at large.  I find myself asking how some scientific finding will impact or be impacted by political, societal, legal, and financial issues.  The Congressional Science Fellowship provides a unique opportunity to blend these interests on behalf of our country and to contribute...my education, skills, experience, and perspective to Congressional issues."

Those interested in the AGU Congressional Science Fellowship Program should contact AGU Public Affairs, 2000 Florida Ave., NW, Washington, D.C., 20009, tel: +1-202-777-7509, fax: +1-202-328-0566, e-mail: pfolger@agu.org. The application deadline for the AGU 2002-2003 Congressional Science Fellowship is February 1,  2003 (see also http://www.agu.org/sci_soc/policy/congress_fellows.html).

EOS, Volume 83, Number 33, 13 August, 2002

Return to Science and Policy
Return to AGU Home Page