December 2022 Circuit

What is Science Policy?

About this event

This seminar was be led by our speakers Kavi Chintam (PhD Candidate in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Northwestern University) and Emily Schafer (PhD Candidate in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Northwestern University). The event began by defining science policy and learning about opportunities to get involved. This was followed by a discussion with the audience and moderated Q&A.

Event Details

Date: Wednesday, December 7th, 2022

Time: 5:30-6:30 PM CT

Tentative Schedule:

5:30-5:40 PM: Welcome and Introduction

5:40-6:20PM: Seminar and Intermittent Discussion

6:20-6:30 PM: Q&A Session

Speakers

Kavi Chintam

Kavi Chintam is a fourth-year Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Northwestern University. Her work focuses on investigating the fundamental mechanisms behind electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction to tune for valuable products. Kavi is passionate about sustainable energy and fuel solutions in the demanding modern world.

Outside of the lab, Kavi is an advocate for policies related to environmental and energy justice, immigration, and higher education. She is the President of NU’s Science Policy Outreach Taskforce (SPOT) and an active member of the National Science Policy Network (NSPN). She is a policy analyst for RE-AMP’s transportation hub, where she works with Midwestern grassroots organizations and nonprofits to determine the best policy options for equitable, clean transit. She also spends time volunteering with local Chicago nonprofits and grassroots organizations dedicated to environmental justice causes. She is a Founding Member and Co-Chair of her department’s Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ARDEI) committee. Kavi enjoys running, hiking, reading, cooking, and fostering cats!

Emily Schafer

Emily Schafer is a fifth-year Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Northwestern University. She works in an organic bioelectronics research lab, using new organic materials to make electronic sensors that are safer and more effective for the body. Her research more specifically aims to make new types of electronic sensors for neural engineering applications.

Emily is also a passionate advocate for science policy and science communication skills development of all scientists. She is the Vice President of NU’s Science Policy Outreach Taskforce (SPOT), where she runs a science communication podcast for graduate students and has previously led the Science with Seniors outreach program. She is also the Chair of the Public Engagement and Science Communication committee of the National Science Policy Network (NSPN) where she leads programming development in science communication for the organization. In her free time, Emily loves camping, reading, coaching field hockey, and spending time with the man in her life (her cat), Olly!