The Michigan Science, Technology, and Public Policy (MiST) fellowship program announced its inaugural advisory council members today.
Administered by the University of Michigan's Science, Technology, and Public Policy (STPP) Program in collaboration with Michigan State University and other educational partners, MiST connects post-graduate scientists, engineers, and technologists to Michigan's nonpartisan Legislative Service Bureau (LSB)—and to the Michigan legislature. MiST aims to help elected officials create more informed, evidence-based policy on scientific issues such as Great Lakes restoration and advanced manufacturing.
The advisory council, which will advise on the application process, selection, and training of fellows, features 15 professionals and academics from across Michigan. Members include subject matter experts in science and technology fields, representatives from other STEM PhD-granting institutions in the state, policy experts in civic associations, and alumni of other state and national science policy fellowships.
"Having this comprehensive and in-depth knowledge among our members will help us to build a fellowship program that incorporates many perspectives from across the state," said Mandy Gagel, MiST's project manager and a member of the council.
Molly Kleinman, managing director of the Ford School's STPP Program, also sits on the council. "The MiST Fellowships will serve the state by providing STEM expertise directly to the Michigan legislature. I'm honored to represent the University of Michigan in supporting effective, evidence-based science and technology policy."
Efforts to create evidence-backed scientific policy have ramped up in the last decade. Twelve states have launched science and technology policy fellowships, with at least seventeen more developing similar programs.
Sheril Kirschenbaum, scientist and author at Michigan State University's Office of Research and Innovation, expressed excitement about the opportunities for young people to support evidence-based policymaking in Michigan. "My experience as a scientist in policy was transformative, and I'm delighted to be able to support the next generation of leaders in this space!"
Applications for the MiST fellowship will open in spring 2026 for scientists and technologists nationwide who hold a PhD. Read more about the MiST fellowship and how to apply here.
Inaugural advisory board members:
- Elana Goldenkoff, PhD, U-M alum and New York State Science Policy Fellow
- Natasha Dacic, PhD, U-M alum and AAAS Pathways to Policy Fellow
- Melissa Creary, PhD, MPH; Associate Professor of Health Management and Policy at the U-M School of Public Health
- Shanda Greco, General Counsel at the Legislative Service Bureau
- Brit Affolter-Caine, PhD, Executive Director of Research Universities for Michigan
- Mark Rouleau, PhD, Chair of the Department of Social Sciences at Michigan Tech University
- Sheril Kirschenbaum, PhD, scientist and author at the Office of Research and Innovation at Michigan State University
- Rachel Wallace, PhD, Assistant Vice President for Research Development at Wayne State University
- Bradley Swanson, PhD, Director of Graduate Studies and Interim Vice President of Research and Innovation at Central Michigan University
- Remzi Seker, PhD, Vice President for Research and Innovation at Western Michigan University
- Sean McBrearty, Michigan State Director at Clean Water Action
- Merve Hickok, lecturer at the U-M School of Information and President and Research Director at the Center for AI & Digital Policy
- Matt Grossman, PhD, Director of the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research at Michigan State University
- Molly Kleinman, PhD, Managing Director of the U-M Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program
- Mandy Gagel, PhD, project manager for the MiST Fellowship Program
