Science and policy: Bianca Serda’s Mirzayan Fellowship experience
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Like infrastructure and education, science is something that deserves its place in Congress. It’s up to scientists to inform policymakers and advocate for the importance of research.
This past summer, graduate student Bianca Serda had the opportunity to participate in the Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program. The program was a twelve-week fellowship that would fully immerse Serda in the world of DC living. She attended congressional hearings, participated in group projects, and took part in professional development to advance her career.
Serda heard about the fellowship program through a previous mentor. Curious about science policy and potential career pathways, she decided to apply for the program. Serda is in her fifth year of her Ph.D., in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the Molecular Plant Sciences graduate program. She studies in Thomas Sharkey’s lab at the MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory, or PRL.
“The fellowship would ultimately help allow me to lead interdisciplinary and collaborative plant sciences research in the future and advocate for advancing plant science research,” Serda said, emphasizing the importance of bridging communication between scientists and policymakers.
Over the course of the program, there was a heavy emphasis placed on learning and participation. The goal for the program was to take graduate students and postdoctoral researchers from not being familiar with science policy to a place of considering it as a career pathway.
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“Before this fellowship, I did not know this was an option for me,” Serda said. “I have always known I do not want to continue in academia, but I thought I was limited to finding a job in plant biotechnology. I could see myself working in science policy after completing my Ph.D.”
Serda had the opportunity to attend the Space Science Week at the National Academies during the fellowship. There, she learned about all the space projects happening at NASA and other space technology companies.
Another requirement of the program was to attend congressional hearings of any topic.
“At the time, NASA’s new budget was coming out and Congress had to approve it. There were several hearings for that which were very interesting,” Serda said.
Outside of the fellowship, Serda spent her time exploring national monuments, public transportation and everything else that life in DC had to offer.
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“I think the coolest part for me was going to NASA headquarters and talking to people in different fields,” she said.
Throughout the fellowship, Serda learned the basics of science policy and how to support policy from beginning to end. Additionally, she emphasized the importance of having the opinions of different kinds of scientists in making suggestions to Congress, showing that research and education must be a priority.
“It was a great experience,” she said. “I had an amazing time meeting all different types of scientists. It was amazing to be in a room full of scientists where we didn’t necessarily talk about science, but we talked about science issues and how science policy can help alleviate those issues.”
