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Genetics & Public Policy Fellowship
 Sponsored by:
The American
Society of Human Genetics
The National Human Genome Research Institute
National Institutes of Health
Background
The extent to which the discoveries from genetics and genomics research are translated into the improved health of the American people is greatly influenced by policy decisions guiding research and the integration of genetics and genomics tools in the clinical setting. That’s why the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) and the National Human Genome Research Institute
(NHGRI) co-sponsor the Genetics and Public Policy Fellowship to give genetics professionals an opportunity to contribute the policy-making process. The fellowship is designed as a bridge for genetics professionals wishing to transition to a policy career. This unique fellowship provides three separate types of experiences: time spent in the National Institutes of Health within the Executive Branch; a staff position on Capitol Hill serving elected officials in the Legislative Branch; and experience working with ASHG in the non-profit science advocacy sector. This variety of assignments provides experience for the fellow from multiple critical viewpoints and challenging perspectives of the scientific policy-making process.
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Program Overview
Purpose: This is a fellowship program designed for genetics professionals with an advanced degree who are early in their careers and interested in the development and implementation of genetics, health and research policies at the national level. The fellow will have the opportunity to participate in policy analysis at NHGRI and ASHG, and to work directly within the U.S. Congress.
Length of Fellowship: 16 months
Start Date: August to early September (negotiable)
Compensation Package: annual $60k stipend plus benefits
Designated Mentor(s):
Past and Present Fellows
| Year |
Fellow |
Current Employer |
Title |
Office Rotation in Congress |
2012 |
Laura Koontz |
ASHG/NHGRI |
Genetics and Public Policy Fellow |
Rep. Louise Slaughter |
2011 |
Cristina Kapustij |
Two Pore Guys, Inc. |
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Rep. John Dingell |
2010 |
Kyle Brown |
U.S. Senate |
Legislative Assistant |
Senate HELP Committee |
2009 |
Selvi Sriranganathan |
Greater Washington Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Genetics |
Certified Genetic Counselor |
Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson |
2008 |
Sara Selgrade |
NIH - NIAID |
Public Health Analyst |
Senate HELP Committee |
2007 |
Pam Bradley |
U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
Staff Fellow |
Senate HELP Committee |
2006 |
Ed Ramos |
NIH - NHGRI |
Research Fellow |
Senator Obama |
2005 |
Derek Scholes |
NIH - NHGRI |
Chief, Policy and Program Analysis Branch |
Senate HELP Committee |
2004 |
Mike Stebbins |
White House Office of Science & Technology Policy |
Asst Director, Biotechnology |
Senate Minority Leaders Office |
2003 |
Jennifer Leib |
HealthFutures, LLC |
Partner |
Senate HELP Committee |
2002 |
Daryl Pritchard |
National Pharmaceutical Council |
Director, Policy Research |
Rep Louise Slaughter |
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Rotations (schedule approximate)
| Sept. - Dec. 2011 |
Policy and Program Analysis Branch, Office of the Director, at NHGRI: participate as a member of the Branch on a variety of projects related to genomics policies and other activities such as the development of the federal budget. |
| Jan. - Sept. 2012 |
Congressional office and/or Committee involved in genetics-related public policy issues: work within the personal office of a Member of Congress or a Congressional committee with jurisdiction over biomedical research, health or science. Fellows determine their positions based on availability and their own interests, and participate fully in staff functions during this time. |
| Oct. - Dec. 2012 |
Work with the administration of ASHG: involvement in legislative and policy issues, providing support for the Board and Social Issues Committee, and collaboration with other organizations (e.g., ACMG, NSGC, FASEB and AAMC) |
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Activities
The activities of the fellow will vary with each rotation. They will include research and analysis on a wide range of policy issues impacting biomedical research and its clinical application, and
summarizing them for different audiences. Writing tasks may include crafting new policy position statements, preparing testimony, summarizing legislation or drafting speeches. The fellow will
participate in a variety of forums and will be expected to represent the involved organizations effectively in individual meetings and larger settings.
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Qualifications and Skills
Candidates are expected to have an advanced degree in human genetics or related field. Exceptional applicants with other advanced degrees and clearly demonstrated experience-based knowledge in science policy could be considered. Ideally, the fellow will have completed graduate training, but be early in the career development path. In addition to possessing a scientific knowledge base, the candidate must have a well-articulated interest in public policy development and implementation. Demonstrated skills in both oral and written communications are essential.
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Selection Process
A committee of representatives from ASHG and NHGRI will review application materials, interview finalists, and recommend up to three candidates to the organizational leaders for the final selection decision. The experience, motivation, area of interest, and future plans of the candidates will be considered. Membership in ASHG is also a consideration.
 Submit an Application
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Contact
Questions for the ASHG/NHGRI Fellowship can be directed to:
Michael Dougherty
Director of Education
American Society of Human Genetics
E-mail: mdougherty@ashg.org
Derek T. Scholes, Ph.D.
Chief, Policy and Program Analysis Branch
National Human Genome Research Institute
E-mail: derek.scholes@nih.gov
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