Bridget Ferris (graduate student in the Wexler Lab) and Jayna Wallinger (graduate student in the Powderly Lab) were selected to attend the Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering (CASE) Workshop held by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Washington, DC.

The workshop, held April 12–15, was an intensive in-person workshop that educated STEM students on science policy, the federal budget process, and science communication. Admission to the program is highly competitive, and Bridget and Jayna were two of only four students selected to represent Washington University in St. Louis.

During the workshop, Bridget and Jayna also learned to translate complex scientific research into language accessible to policymakers and the public, preparing them for meetings with congressional offices on Capitol Hill. Their advocacy efforts culminated in meetings with the offices of Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt and Representatives Ann Wagner, Bob Onder, and Wesley Bell. During these meetings, they advocated for continued and expanded federal investment in science agencies, including the NSF, DOE, DOD, and USDA, while highlighting the broader societal impact of scientific research on technological innovation and economic growth. Additionally, they shared their own research projects with policymakers and discussed how federally supported research drives progress within their labs, at WashU, and across the broader scientific community.

To learn more about Bridget and Jayna’s research, please visit the Wexler Lab and the Powderly Lab.