Current and Past MRS/OSA Fellows
2011/2012 -- Laura Povlich
Laura Povlich earned her Ph.D. in macromolecular science and engineering at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 2011 as a Rackham Merit Fellow and an NIDCR Tissue Engineering and Regeneration Training Grant recipient. Her thesis work involved the development of new conducting polymers to interface neural prosthetic devices with nervous tissue. In 2009, Povlich moved to the University of Delaware and finished her Ph.D. research as a visiting scholar. In 2006 Povlich received her B.S.E. in materials science and engineering from the University of Michigan, where she first began her research career as a freshman through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program.
Povlich’s interest in science policy began in graduate school at Michigan and while researching in Delaware. While attending the “Science Outside the Lab” program through the Consortium for Science, Policy and Outcomes at Arizona State University, Povlich was able to learn about the wide variety of organizations involved in forming and implementing science policies, solidifying her desire to pursue a policy career. Povlich’s interests in policy include education, healthcare, science, and the funding of developing technologies.
2010/2011 -- Ashley White
Ashley White earned her Ph.D. in Materials Science from the University Cambridge in 2010, as a British Marshall Scholar and NSF Graduate Research Fellow. Her thesis work focused on developing carbon nanotube-reinforced hydroxyapatite bone graft materials with improved mechanical properties. Following her Ph.D., Ashley did post-doc work at Cambridge on the removal of carbon nanotubes from body tissue using laser irradiation. While at Cambridge, Ashley was heavily involved in teaching, serving as Co-Director of the Science and Engineering Experiments for Kids program, instructing undergraduates, and developing laboratory courses. Additionally, she served on administrative committees, both in the Department of Materials and elsewhere in the university.
In 2005 Ashley received her B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from Virginia Tech, along with a B.A. in Music Performance. As an undergraduate, she gained research experience through several Research Experience for Undergraduate programs, DOE internships, work abroad, and at Virginia Tech. An accomplished violinist, she has served as President of the Cambridge Graduate Orchestra, performed with various orchestras and chamber groups, and spent time in Paraguay and Mexico doing research and teaching related to youth orchestras.
Ashley's interest in policy began in high school, while volunteering for political campaigns. She has continued to develop this interest during her time at Virginia Tech and Cambridge, serving as an officer in political societies. While her particular policy interests are nanotechnology, education, and immigration, she looks forward to the opportunity to experience first-hand the political process and how science policy is addressed across a broad range of issues during her fellowship tenure.
2009/2010 -- Gavi Begtrup
Gavi earned his Ph.D. in physics from the University of California, Berkeley in December 2008 and his B.S. from Western Kentucky University in May 2002. His Ph.D. dissertation was entitled “Silicon Nitride Membranes for Electrical and Thermal Transport Studies of Nanotubes, and his graduate research spanned the breadth of nanotechnology research, from synthesis and characterization to micofabrication and analysis of devices. By developing a novel silicon nitride platform, he was able to observe with atomic precision the evolution of nanotube devices during their operation, resulting in the study of the high-temperature (3000K) local properties of carbon nanotubes as well as the creation of a new type of nanoscale memory element. His discoveries have applications in electronics heat management and future data storage.
Gavi's growing interest in policy led to his involvement in student politics on both a local and national level. During graduate school, he served as the Vice-President of External Affairs for the UC Berkeley Graduate Assembly as well as the Chair of the American Physical Society Forum on Graduate Student Affairs. After completing his Ph.D., he spent the Fall of 2008 as a Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellow at the National Academies of Science. He worked with the Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy on a project related to the efficacy and utility of large-scale science projects, such as the proposed “Manhattan Project for Energy.
The MRS/OSA congressional fellowship will give Gavi a tremendous opportunity to develop his understanding of the political system and the many externalities of policy decisions; he looks forward to developing the skills necessary to craft informed and balanced policies. Gavi looks forward to working on issues ranging from energy, research and innovation, and health care to topics far afield of his knowledge base and hopes to leverage his scientific training and perspective to address the many opportunities Congress has to better society.
October 15, 2009: Gavi Begtrup has been assigned to the office of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ).
2008/2009 -- Amit Mistry
Amit Mistry completed his doctorate in bioengineering from Rice University in April 2007. His dissertation, entitled “Degradation and biocompatibility of a fumarate-based/alumoxane nanocomposite for bone tissue engineering,†afforded him the opportunity to study nanotechnology, biomaterials, and regenerative medicine.
Amit has been a Science Policy Intern and Fellow at Research!America, a not-for-profit group that advocates for health research. Amit was also a Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Fellow at the National Academy of Engineering where he worked on a resource for engineering educators. In addition, Amit served as a high school science and math teacher for two years with Teach for America.
Amit's major policy interests are in education and health research, but he is also interested in global health and development, energy, and the environment. Through science policy, he hopes to encourage more young people to pursue careers in science and improve communication between scientists, policymakers, and the general public.
10/13/2008: Amit Mistry has accepted a position in the office of Congressman Ed Markey (D-MA).
2007/2008 -- Alicia Jackson
Alicia Jackson will earn her Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology this June 2007. Her dissertation is on "Phase Separation and Nanostructuring in the Ligand Shell of Nanoparticles." During her thesis research, she discovered that mixtures of molecules, when assembled on nanoparticles, show ordered phase-separation at a molecular length scale, resulting in several novel and unexpected properties. This discovery has a number of interesting biotechnological applications, as well as having wide reaching implications for the environmental health and safety implications of nanoparticles.
Alicia's interest in science policy grew out of her desire to have a broader impact on scientific research and its societal impacts than that afforded to her through basic research. While at MIT, she co-created a new science policy course for science and engineering graduate students and post-docs with the head of the MIT Washington Office, Bill Bonvillian. The aim of the course is to develop a new generation of policy versed and active scientists.
After completing her Ph.D. Alicia will spend the summer of 2007 at the National Academies of Science as a Christine Mirzyan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellow. While there she will work with the Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy on the project of Ensuring the Utility and Integrity of Research Data in a Digital Era.
During her time as the MRS/OSA congressional fellow, Alicia looks forward to developing policies that will encourage the critical scientific developments and technology transfers necessary to solve the many environmental, health, and defense challenges facing us today and that encourage the link between technological and economic development and contribute to human progress Alicia will be working in the Senate Energy and Natural Resource Office during her fellowship.
2006/2007 -- Kevin Whittlesey
Kevin Whittlesey earned his PhD in biological sciences from Northwestern University in 2005. His dissertation research in neural tissue engineering developed a biomaterials-based strategy to treat spinal cord injury. Prior to his graduate work, Kevin spent three years working for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, first as a pre-doctoral fellow and subsequently as a staff biologist.
Upon completing his doctorate, Kevin was introduced to science policy at the National Academies as a Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellow with the Committee on Science, Technology, and Law. Kevin then served as a post-doctoral fellow with Aastrom Biosciences, where he worked with the Stem Cell Biology Group to examine the potential for adult human bone marrow-derived stem cells to regenerate bone and neural tissue for clinical applications.
Kevin has a deep interest in science education. He has been involved in numerous education and outreach programs since early in his undergraduate career. Kevin looks forward to the unique opportunity that the Congressional Fellowship presents and applying the experience to pursue a career in science education policy.
2005/2006 -- Benjamin Jay Gross
Benjamin Jay Gross earned his PhD in physical chemistry at Columbia University and his BS in chemistry at the University of California at Berkeley. His thesis research examined the development of solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy methods for application in structural biology. Prior to his thesis work he spent two years studying molecular electronic materials by single molecule spectroscopy and ultra-microscopy techniques. He spent a year and a half teaching physical chemistry to senior level undergraduates and was a member of the Columbia Chemistry Careers Committee, which brings in chemistry PhDs to speak of their careers outside of academic research.
After earning his PhD he spent the Fall of 2004 at the National Academies as a Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellow. While there, he worked with the Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences on the review of the National Nanotechnology Initiative. It was during this fellowship that he became certain he wished to pursue a career in science policy.
Ben looks forward to his time as the MRS/OSA Congressional Fellow, and to the opportunity to participate in the process that informs the creation and implementation of science and technology policy.
2004/2005 -- Karin Ezbiansky Pavese
Karin Ezbiansky Pavese earned her PhD in inorganic chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania in 2000. Upon completion of her degree, she took a position in the General Electric Company's two-year Technical Leadership Program where she lead technical programs and, in parallel, completed management training. For the past two years, Karin has been a product developer and six sigma Black Belt in the area of nano-particle filled coatings where her focus has most recently been in the optical media field. Karin is an author of six publications, three patents, three patent disclosures, four GE proprietary technical reports, and nine conference presentations.
Karin's strong involvement in service began in high school as an active Key Club member. During her undergraduate years, she actively sought out opportunities to influence education for underprivileged groups in Baltimore, MD. In her senior year, she was selected as one of twelve students to lead the community service activities on campus, specifically the adult literacy programs. Her passion continued throughout graduate school where she lead science workshops for programs such as “Expand Your Horizon targeted to motivate and excite underprivileged students about science.
She continues to lead an active life in service as a GE Elfun, a group of GE volunteers, where she is currently a board member setting the direction for service programs in the area of Human Services. Karin looks forward to her role as the MRS/OSA Congressional Fellow as an opportunity to combine her technical competency with her deep passion for service to the community.
2003/2004 -- Colin McCormick
Colin McCormick was been named the MRS/OSA Congressional Science and Engineering Fellow for 2003-2004, with his term beginning in September.
As a recipient of this one-year appointment, sponsored jointly by the Materials Research Society and the Optical Society of America, McCormick took a position in the office of Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.).
“During my research career in atomic physics and nonlinear optics, I have become aware of the important links between public policy and science, McCormick said. Policymakers often guide what scientific areas will be explored, pressing researchers to answer questions of immediate importance—at least in the view of the policymaker in question. Yet at other times, science leads policy, by developing faster than debate and decision can follow. Legislators then must determine after the fact how these advances will impact society as a whole. I am interested in both of these modes of science policy.
McCormick chose the Markey office because of the opportunity to work on nonproliferation and nuclear safety issues, calling Markey “one of the most recognized and outspoken members of Congress in those areas. McCormick was to coordinate the work of the Bipartisan Task Force on Nonproliferation, co-chaired by Markey and Rep. Chris Shays (R-Conn.). His portfolio also included defense, science research and development, and human rights.
Markey has had numerous science fellows in his office over the past decade, including 1996–1997 MRS/OSA Congressional Fellow Michal Freedhoff, who is now a permanent member of Markeys staff.
MRS and OSA are fortunate to have found another outstanding candidate for their congressional fellowship and all of us who work for Congressman Markey are thrilled that he’s on board, said Freedhoff, who also chairs the MRS Subcommittee on Congressional Fellows. He'll be a terrific addition to our office.
While obtaining his MA and PhD degrees in physics at the University of California, Berkeley, McCormick taught physics to undergraduate students, who typically had not already been exposed to the field. This experience, along with his tenure as editor in chief of the student-run Berkeley Science Review, a journal promoting public understanding of graduate research, prepared McCormick to explain scientific topics to a nontechnical audience. He was eager to apply this skill to the legislative process.
At OSA, Howard Schlossberg, who is liaison to the Congressional Fellows Program, said, “Colin McCormick greatly impressed the selection committee with his congenial and outgoing manner, his technical accomplishments, and his editorship of the Berkeley Science Review, which we could tell was very high quality from the copies he brought for us. We also believed his international background would be valuable as a Fellow.â€
McCormick was a Herschel Smith Fellow in Emmanuel College at Cambridge University from 1995 to 1997, and he was named Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor by UC Berkeley in 1998. He has published in conference proceedings and peer-reviewed journals, including Applied Physics Letters, Physical Review Letters , and Optics Express. He received his PhD degree in 2003.
2002/2003 -- Jeffrey H. Haeni
Jeffrey H. Haeni is the 2002-2003 OSA/MRS Congressional Science and Engineering Fellow. His tenure began in September. As a recipient of this one-year appointment, sponsored jointly by the Optical Society of America and the Materials Research Society, Haeni worked in the office of Rep. Rush Holt (D-N.J.) as a consultant on scientific and technical matters.
"I believe it is important for scientists to take an active role in the legislative process," Haeni said. "A quick glance at current issues--stem-cell research, energy policy, bio-terrorism, climate-change, missile defense, and the economic downturn-- reveals that the scientific community will not only be directly affected by legislative action on all of these matters, but will be instrumental in finding appropriate solutions."
He said that Holt was one of two "PhD physicists" on Capitol Hill. Among his committee assignments, Holt served on the "21st Century Competitiveness" and "Select Education" subcommittees of the House Education and the Workforce committee.
Along with research conducted at The Pennsylvania State University, Haeni worked in research at the University of Augsburg in Germany and participated in a Habitat for Humanity project in New Zealand, where he assisted the Ngaitai Maori tribe in building homes.
"I gained valuable exposure to a different model of university education, alternative programs for social welfare, and a view of the influence that American domestic and international policies have on other countries," said Haeni. He said that these experiences would help him consider the goals and perspectives of each stakeholder for any given issue, which he believes is important to the effectiveness of legislation.
Howard Schlossberg of OSA, who chaired the 2002-Â2003 Fellow Selection Committee, said, "Jeff's ability to speak passionately about his beliefs and translate his knowledge to a wide range of audiences, technical and nontechnical, should make him an excellent representative for the science and engineering community in Washington."
Michal Freedhoff, chair of the MRS Congressional Fellow Subcommittee, said, "Jeff brings a unique mix to Capitol Hill--rigorous scientific training and a demonstrated and longstanding commitment to trying to make the world a better place. I'm sure he will make many valuable contributions during his year in Congressman Holt's office."
Haeni received his PhD degree in materials science in August 2002 from Penn State. His research interests involve the investigation and growth of high-epitaxial gate dielectrics and other perovskite materials on silicon. He has held several fellowships and has most recently been named Semiconductor Research Corporation Graduate Fellow (2001-Â2003). He has published three lead-author articles in refereed journals and was an invited co-author of an article in the March 2002 issue of MRS Bulletin.
2001/2002 -- Eric Werwa
Eric Werwa, an assistant professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio, was named the 2001-2002 MRS/OSA Congressional Science and Engineering Fellow. His tenure began in September. As a recipient of this one-year appointment, sponsored jointly by the Materials Research Society (MRS) and the Optical Society of America (OSA), Werwa worked directly for a member of Congress or on a Congressional committee as a consultant on scientific and technical matters.
Brian Holloway, chair of the MRS Congressional Fellow Subcommittee, said, "I am very happy that Eric has accepted the 2001-2002 MRS/OSA Congressional Fellowship. During the selection process, the combination of his experience as a scientist and an educator helped him stand out in a very strong applicant pool. However, I think that his obvious dedication to public policy, his strong desire to serve in the policy arena, and his innate understanding of the political process are what really set him apart. MRS and OSA have quickly built a tradition of outstanding Fellows. Eric will not only follow in the footsteps of those before him, but he will raise the bar for future Fellows."
Werwa said, "As a Fellow, some of the issues I am interested in working on are science education, funding for the physical sciences, environmental policy, and energy policy." At Otterbein, Werwa has developed and taught the courses "Energy, Science, and Society" and "Our Place in the Universe" for non-science majors. The courses presented the challenge of intertwining science with economics, history, public policy, and other disciplines to demonstrate the relevance of science to students' lives. While observing two focus groups last year, organized by the Alliance for Science and Technology Research in America and designed to learn the public's opinions on science and federal funding of scientific research, Werwa realized that people, including "Washington insiders," viewed math, science, and engineering as "hard" and "boring" fields that they do not know or care about. "I will help staff and elected officials develop some understanding of the technical aspects of relevant pieces of legislation, allowing them to make informed decisions based on their own opinions," Werwa said. "I will also be a resource for other scientists, helping them participate in the legislative process more effectively."
Werwa served on the MRS Public Affairs Committee, and as a member of its Public Outreach Subcommittee; he chaired the Materials MicroWorld Task Force, which developed a traveling museum exhibit about materials science. The task force obtained a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to help fund this project. After his Fellowship, Werwa was considering a career in science and technology policy. His specific area of research is in the synthesis and optical properties of semiconductors and nanoparticles. He received his BSEng degree in 1992 from the University of Pennsylvania and his PhD degree in 1997 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His honors and awards include recognition of Meritorious Service from Otterbein College, the John Wulff Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award, the AT&T Bell Laboratories PhD Scholar, 3M Corporation Graduate Fellow, NSF Graduate Fellow, Starr Graduate Fellow, and Benjamin Franklin Scholar. His professional society memberships include MRS, the American Physical Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Chemical Society, ASM International, the Council on Undergraduate Research, and the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Werwa Accepts MRS/OSA Fellowship Position with Rep. Honda
Eric Werwa, the Materials Research Society/Optical Society of America Congressional Science and Engineering Fellow for 2001/2002,* accepted a position with U.S. Representative Michael M. Honda, D-Calif. As a then-new member of the House from Silicon Valley, Rep. Honda served on the Research Subcommittee within the House Science Committee. He has advocated for the high-tech community in favor of legislation to augment the research and development tax credit and to eliminate taxes on graduate-school tuition paid by employers. He was forming a bipartisan Task Force on Mobile Commerce to better understand and support innovative companies in the wireless industry.
Werwa expected to work closely with the semiconductor industry, which makes up a large portion of Rep. Honda's constituency. Werwa was also to be working in the areas of biotechnology, energy issues (including renewable energy sources), environmental issues, and science education.
"As a former science teacher, Representative Honda appreciates the importance of science and technology in the lives of all Americans and the importance of educating the public about science and technology. This made his office seem like an ideal place for me to work during my fellowship year, one where I should have many opportunities to advance science in the Congress," said Werwa. "We are currently in the process of developing legislation to improve science education and increase funding for scientific research to be introduced in 2002. I invite members of the science community to give me their input into these and other subjects."
Susan Ginsberg, the MRS/OSA Congressional Fellow for 2000-Â2001, worked in the office of Rep. Howard L. Berman, D-Calif; Arun Seraphin (1999-Â2000), Merrilea Mayo (1998-Â1999), and Kelly Kirkpatrick (1995Â-1996) worked in the office of Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn. Michal Freedhoff (1996Â-1997) and Brian Holloway (1997Â-1998) served their fellowships with Rep. Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., and Sen. John D. Rockefeller, D-W.Va., respectively.
*See MRS Bulletin 26 (May 2001) p. 409.
2000/2001 -- Susan Ginsberg
Susan Ginsberg was appointed the 2000-2001 OSA/MRS Congressional Science and Engineering Fellow. Ginsberg was the sixth recipient of this annual Fellowship sponsored by the Materials Research Society (MRS) and the Optical Society of America (OSA). At the time of her appointment, Ginsberg was a graduate research and teaching assistant at the University of Minnesota in the department of geology and geophysics and the department of chemical engineering and materials science. She received her BA in geology from Amherst, MS in Geophysics, and PhD in materials science engineering from the University of Minnesota. Ginsberg, an MRS member, is also a member of the American Ceramic Society, American Geophysical Union, Association for Women Geoscientists, and the Geological Society of America. She served as a legislative intern for Representative Betty Folliard, Minnesota State House of Representatives, and had previously served as a research assistant in the Department of Chemical Engineering at The Technion (Haifa, Israel) and as a research scientist in the Department of Mineral Sciences at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.
As the OSA/MRS Fellow, Ginsberg will work as a special legislative assistant on the staff of a member of Congress or Congressional Committee. Her one-year term began in September.
1999/2000 -- Arun Seraphin
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Arun Seraphin, research staff member in the Science and Technology Division at the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA), has been named the 1999-2000 Materials Research Society/Optical Society of America Congressional Science and Engineering Fellow. His tenure begins in September. As a recipient of this one-year appointment sponsored jointly by MRS and OSA, Seraphin will work directly for a Member of Congress or on a Congressional Committee as a consultant on scientific and technical matters.
With a doctoral degree from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a BA degree in political science from the State University of New York--Stony Brook, and three years' experience working for IDA, Seraphin views this Fellowship as a natural step in his pursuit of a career in science and technology policy.
During his graduate studies, Seraphin focused his research on the processing and characterization of nanocrystalline semiconductor materials for optical switching and display applications. At IDA, he has worked on a number of projects for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), one of which was assisting DARPA in transitioning microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) into defense systems. In this project, Seraphin analyzed and evaluated opportunities for the use of MEMS in military applications such as medical technologies and missile guidance, he wrote and delivered briefings to numerous Department of Defense organizations, and he worked with academia and industry to explore the technical issues and potential defense applications of specific devices. Past MRS/OSA Fellow (1996-Â1997) and current Hill-staffer Michal Freedhoff said, "Good communication skills are extremely important; a Congressional Fellow will not be of much use to nontechnical people on the Hill if he or she can't put technical information in terms that are both understandable and relevant to Congressional offices." Having worked with Seraphin in both the academic and political arena since 1995, she said, "Arun is very good at reducing complex scientific issues to the 'bottom-line' form that is valued on the Hill."
At IDA, Seraphin has also worked on international cooperative programs. He said, "America's science and technology base can be used to support foreign policy through international partnerships that build on pre-existing scientific community linkages. Innovative use of technology cooperation can help establish friendly relations and reduce political tension." He expects to bring to his position as Fellow his ability to analyze critical issues in science and technology and his social science and public policy experience needed "to see beyond the raw data and into the effects that policies will have on the broader socio-economic situation."
Brian Holloway, MRS chair of the Congressional Fellow Subcommittee, said, "MRS and OSA have worked hard to establish a tradition of extraordinary Congressional Fellows and I think Arun will push the bar even higher. His scientific training combined with his previous work experience should allow him to be very successful as a Fellow and very productive in any position that he chooses on Capitol Hill." Holloway was the 1997-1998 MRS/OSA Fellow and is currently an assistant professor at the College of William and Mary.
Seraphin is currently a member of the program committee for the SPIE Conference on Smart Electronics and MEMS. He has served as secretary (1998-1999) and publicity co-chair (1997-1998) for the Washington, D.C. chapter of ASM International, and is also a member of MRS, the American Physical Society, the American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics, and the American Defense Preparedness Association. He is co-author of numerous technical articles and policy documents and briefings.
1998/1999 -- Merrilea Mayo
Merrilea J. Mayo, associate professor of materials science and engineering at Pennsylvania State University, has been named the 1998-Â1999 OSA/MRS Congressional Science and Engineering Fellow. Her tenure begins in September. As a recipient of this one-year appointment sponsored jointly by the Optical Society of America and the Materials Research Society, Mayo will spend her sabbatical from Penn State working directly at the office of Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-CT), as a consultant on scientific and technical matters.
In line with the OSA/MRS Congressional Fellow mission of opening avenues of communication between scientists and federal legislators, Mayo expects to raise the level of political awareness within MRS and to take her familiarity with the national laboratory and university systems, as well as technological concerns of the military and startup companies, to Washington. Mayo said, "This past semester, I have been able to inject several science policy speakers into our department's seminar series, and I have enjoyed the eye-popping 'Wow! Really?' reactions of the students. I believe the additional access to political personalities and vivid experiences that the fellowship would afford me could only enhance this kind of exchange." She added that non-U.S. students have no access to political figures. She wants students--"the next generation of leading scientists"--to understand how federal funding "gets put through."
MRS chair of the Congressional Fellow subcommittee Bill Warren of Sandia National Laboratories commends Mayo's confidence and understanding of the political system. He said that with her dynamic won't let it become stagnant." Mayo said in its dealings with Washington, MRS has historically acted within fairly narrow constraints of surety and prudence, but she sees opportunities that MRS can take to be more proactive.
Ivan Kaminow, OSA chair of the subcommittee and a former congressional Fellow himself, points to Mayo's variety of experiences, primarily in academia, and her record of public service. Mayo has served on the National Research Council's Advisory Panel on the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) and on the Advisory Committee on Army After Next (AAN) Logistics. She has also served on the MRS External Affairs and Public Affairs Committees since 1994.
Mayo is a long-time veteran of the MRS volunteer pool, including participation in the Meetings as chair and symposium organizer; in the Graduate Student Awards Subcommittee, Program Planning Committee, and Long-Range Planning Committee; and most recently as an MRS Councillor and part of the MRS Headquarters Building Task Force. She also served on a task force for the new building in which she procured materials-related, interactive exhibits on mechanical properties, diffusion, and polarization.
After receiving her PhD degree in Materials Science and Engineering in 1988 from Stanford University, Mayo worked at Sandia, then later at Penn State. Her current research focuses on developing fully dense bulk ceramics with sub-100-nm grain sizes by sinter-forging, pressureless sintering, and alternate densification routes, using a combination of experimental work and analytical modeling of the sintering/deformation processes. She has received a Fellowship from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (1993) and from the Exxon Foundation (1982-Â1984) and the NSF Presidential Young Investigator Award (1991Â-1996). She has over 50 authored and co-authored publications.
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