Claire Cody and Marie Fiori named as the newest fellows bringing their scientific expertise to the US Congress while receiving a firsthand learning experience in policymaking
WASHINGTON - Optica (formerly OSA), Advancing Optics and Photonics Worldwide, the Materials Research Society (MRS) and SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, are pleased to announce the selection of the 2023-2024 Congressional Science and Engineering Fellows: Claire Cody and Marie Fiori. Congressional Fellows serve a one-year term in Washington, D.C., USA as special legislative assistants for a member of the U.S. Congress or for a congressional committee.
Cody will serve as the Arthur H. Guenther Congressional Fellow, co-sponsored by Optica and SPIE, and Fiori has been named the Optica/MRS Congressional Fellow. Cody and Fiori will begin their terms as fellows in September 2023.
The Congressional Fellowship is a unique opportunity for Ph.D. scientists and engineers to lend their technical and scientific backgrounds to federal policymaking. Fellows also gain firsthand experience in the policymaking process by participating in a variety of ways including conducting legislative or oversight work, assisting in congressional hearings and debates, preparing policy briefs and writing speeches.
"It is such an honor to have been selected as this year's Arthur H. Guenther Congressional Fellow," said Cody. "I can't wait to connect my scientific background to energy, environmental, and climate policy issues facing Congress, and gain hands-on experience with the legislative process at the federal level."
"I am eager to advance energy and environmental justice in the United States as a Congressional Fellow, and I am honored to have been selected," said Fiori. "Climate affects all spheres of policy, and I am excited to deepen my understanding of how these policies intersect and affect American communities as a Fellow."
The American Association for the Advancement of Sciences (AAAS) provides training in science policy and communication as well as an orientation for new Fellows. After completing this training, Cody and Fiori will meet with various U.S. Senate, House of Representatives and congressional committee staff before selecting which office or committee they wish to work in for their fellowship year.
