AVS: Science & Technology of Materials, Interfaces, and Processing (AVS) and the American Institute of Physics (AIP) are pleased to announce their first jointly-sponsored Congressional Science Fellow – Marcos Huerta, Ph.D. Huerta’s background combines scientific expertise with experience in local and national political action.

AVS recently partnered with AIP to co-sponsor a Congressional Science Fellow thus expanding AIP’s Congressional Science Fellow program from one fellow to two. Former Congressional fellows have made major contributions to the legislative process, researching hearings and drafting key portions of legislation that covered topics including energy, environment, homeland security, education and the workforce, and technology transfer.

Huerta’s interest in shaping government policy for in the interest of science has been evident in his work in Washington, D.C., where he currently serves as a public policy fellow and works to connect the science community with the federal government and to advocate for science in Congress. Huerta reports that some of his best experiences as a scientist have been through interactions with the public at outreach events -- speaking to elementary school students and assisting with public events at museums. He believes that sharing scientific discoveries with the public is vital—both for securing popular support for the funding of scientific research and for increasing the country's scientific literacy.

As a graduate student at Rice University, Huerta worked to affect positive change on issues of concern to Rice's graduate students, winning the Eric Umland Award from Rice's Physics Department for this work. He received his Ph.D. in astrophysics from Rice University in May 2007, where his dissertation involved the analyses of low resolution spectroscopic surveys of stars to determine their effective temperature.

Dr. Huerta's avid interest in policy, communication skills, and excellent scientific credentials make him well prepared to serve as the AIP-AVS 2009-10 Congressional Science Fellow.
The fellowship program enables qualified, highly-motivated scientists to actively participate in the federal government’s policymaking process. Fellows gain insight into the workings of government, learn how to effectively contribute their knowledge to the policymaking process, and perform a public service by providing skilled support to help inform policy decision makers.

Applications are due January 15 of each year. For more information visit: http://aip.org/gov/fellowships/cf.html. The need for dialogue between the science community and the federal government has never been greater. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.