The Biophysical Society (BPS) announced that Hermes Taylor-Weiner, Ph.D., has accepted a position working on healthcare with Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). The BPS Congressional Fellow spends a year working in a Congressional office on legislative and policy areas requiring scientific input. Taylor-Weiner is also participating in the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)’s Science and Technology Fellowship Program, which includes an orientation on congressional and executive branch operations and a year-long seminar series on issues related to science policy.
“I have a strong interest in public policy and believe that evidence-based policymaking is important for good governance,” stated Taylor-Weiner. “As I envision the next stage of my career, I feel I can make the greatest impact in public service.”
“We’re excited to welcome Hermes Taylor-Weiner to our team,” said Senator Dianne Feinstein. “His scientific expertise will be invaluable as we look for ways to improve health care for all Californians. This fellowship program is an excellent way to bring experts in science and medicine to Capitol Hill to help us develop better-informed policies. Our past fellows have contributed tremendously to the work of the office and we have no doubt Hermes will do the same.”
“The Congressional Science & Engineering Fellows program managed by AAAS is successful largely thanks to the generous support of partner societies like the Biophysical Society,” said Jennifer Pearl, PhD, Director of AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships. “Our partnership with BPS since 1981 has been strong, and we are excited about our role in helping Dr. Taylor-Weiner gets hands-on experience with federal policymaking.”
Taylor-Weiner received his PhD in Bioengineering from the University of California, San Diego, and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics at Karolinska Institute in Sweden. He also served as a Science Policy Fellow while at the University of California, San Diego.
In 2015, BPS began its fellowship program recognizing that public policies are increasingly impacting scientific research and that basic science literacy is increasingly needed to develop effective policies. Through the fellowship, BPS hopes to provide a bridge between scientists and policymakers.