Experience

Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Executive Director and CEO, Publisher of American Scientist

  • Jul 2017 - Present

• Director of Science Communications and Publications, Editor-in-Chief of American Scientist Magazine

  • Jul 2014 - Jun 2017

  Responsible for managing finances (> $1 million budget) and operations for Sigma Xi's publications department, routinely communicating with 100,000 members, publishing American Scientist, an award-winning bimonthly science magazine with print circulation of 50,000 and monthly online visits of 250,000, and building an online journal for high school student researchers. Leading a team of between 8 (current) and 13 (2014).Accomplishments:• Reduced overall production costs of American Scientist by 12%• Stabilized staff size and reduced turnover by identifying critical internal needs and outsourcing• Worked with the managing editor to revamp the work flow to integrate more freelance support• Introduced new digital and social media strategies across the organization:o Redesigned the American Scientist website (launch date June 2017)o Increased American Scientist’s online audience size by 30% on Facebook and 93%on Twittero Increased Sigma Xi’s online audience by 150% on Facebook and 183% on Twittero Launched a revenue-generating newsletter to 87,000 members• Transformed the magazine’s digital and print content:o Increased emphasis on policy and societal impacts in research articleso Started two new print columns (Science Communication and Hypothesis)o Launched the American Scientist blog platform• Maintained American Scientist’s record of excellence:o Recognized by Association Media and Publishing EXCEL awards with 2 awards in 2015 (2 silver), 3 awards in 2016 (1 gold and 2 bronze), and 6 awards in 2017 (3 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze).• Integrated American Scientist initiatives with Sigma Xi's strategic plano Integrated Distinguished Lectures into American Scientist content • Hired new editor and revamped the work flow for Chronicle of the New Researcher• Launched Sigma Xi’s Research Communications Initiative, a fee-for-service program toprovide communications resources to researchers• Traveled internationally to speak on behalf of Sigma Xi Show less

• Co-Director of Operations

  • Aug 2014 - Oct 2015

  Coordinated with my fellow interim Co-Director of Operations and Sigma Xi Director of Finance Jasmine Shah and Sigma Xi’s executive committee of the board of directors to manage the $3 million headquarters operations following departure of the previous executive director.Accomplishments:• Restructured the headquarters organization chart and implemented personnel changes• Co-managed headquarters staff of between 25 and 30 employees• Consulted on policies for a new employee handbook• Participated in the sale of Sigma Xi’s office building (50,000 sq. ft. in RTP) and the relocation of all operations:o Appraised seven relocation siteso Designed three architectural layoutso Reviewed and consulted on leasing contracts, Internet contracts, furniture purchases, movingand storage agreementso Oversaw the planning and implementation of the publications department’s relocation• Consulted on the long term financial strategy for the Society• Temporarily assumed the duties of the manager of programs and partial duties of the manager of chapters and programso Managed one complete cycle of the Grants-in-Aid of Research program distributingapproximately $250,000 in grants to young researcherso Served as lead judge for the 2015 Intel ISEF competition special awards in team science (sponsored by Sigma Xi)o Organized the 2015 Annual Student Research Conference and Sigma Xi’s 2015 Annual Meetingo Oversaw the 2014-2015 distinguished lectures committee and awards programo Provided material support in numerous capacities related to board meetings, the Institute onScience for Global Policy program, authors without borders initiative, and other headquarters meetingso Routinely prepared reports for the executive committee and the board of directors Show less



Potential Energy DC

• Washington D.C. Metro Area

• Co-Founder & Science Advisor

  • Nov 2013 - Dec 2015

  Partnered with co-founder Dave McCarthy, with the support of Aneesh Chopra, former U.S. Chief Technology Officer, to create a network of business experts, data analysts, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and investors to launch businesses that solve global energy challenges. • Served as director of communications and policy adviser • Convened a major conference focused on big data and entrepreneurship in partnership with AAAS in Washington, DC • Researched business support services to assist early-stage companies • Hosted information seminars and networking events • Promoted and pitched business ventures to investors Show less



U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

• United States
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• ORISE Fellow

  • Sep 2013 - Jun 2014

  Served on the Strategic Priorities and Impact Analysis Team to design and implement an evaluationprogram to measure and communicate the impact of EERE’s $2.7 billion investments in energyefficiency and renewable energy technologies• Regularly briefed the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy• Developed and instituted EERE-wide standards for conducting impact evaluations• Convened managers and analysts from EERE program offices to assist in developing customizedevaluations for individual programs• Developed guidelines for communicating the impacts of EERE investments in energy efficiencyand renewable energy technologies• Hired professional evaluators to conduct program evaluations• Reviewed and edited evaluation reports for EERE programs• Managed an initiative to standardize data collection and storage across EERE programs andintegrate impacts data into a corporate management dashboard• Managed an initiative to increase transparency and utility of consumer electricity usage data to promote adoption of energy efficiency technologies and behaviors• Conducted policy and technology analysis to support organizational strategic planning• Advised on EERE internal and external communications systems Show less

• AAAS Science & Technlogy Policy Fellow, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

  • 2011 - Aug 2013

  Served on the Strategic Planning and Analysis Team to provide analytical support for EERE’s corporate office overseeing $2.7 billion of investments in research and development for energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies• Launched an initiative to inform the public about their access to energy usage data and to promote the adoption of energy efficiency technologies and behaviorso Successfully navigated the initiative through the White House Office of Management and Budget approval process (adapted the project to comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act)o Surveyed the entire network of 3,000 energy utilities nationwide to collect information on consumer access to energy usage datao Managed a web design team based at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Denver, Colorado to design and build an online survey and create a user interface for sharing the results• Helped design and initiate an EERE-wide impact evaluations program• Developed communication guidelines for EERE programs• Helped design and launch the first U.S. Department of Energy Clean Energy Business Plan Competition (helped organize 6 national regional competitions and one national competition in DC with more than $700,000 in monetary prizes).• Performed policy and technology analysis to support strategic planning• Advised on EERE internal and external communications and data management systems Show less



U.S. Global Change Research Program, White House

• Washington D.C. Metro Area

• Co-Chair Digital Media, Climate Communications and Education Interagency Working Group

  • 2012 - 2013

  Organized and launched an interagency working group to improve communications between and among all federal agencies that perform climate research • Advised on social media strategy to communicate federal climate science • Organized external expert engagement on climate communications strategies o Arranged talks between White House staff and communications professionals Organized and launched an interagency working group to improve communications between and among all federal agencies that perform climate research • Advised on social media strategy to communicate federal climate science • Organized external expert engagement on climate communications strategies o Arranged talks between White House staff and communications professionals



National Cancer Institute (NCI)

• United States
• Research Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• CRTA Research Fellow

  • Dec 2010 - Aug 2011

  - Studied the immunological responses to HIV vaccines. - Tested engineered antibodies for their viral neutralizing activity. Resigned to pursue a career in science policy and communications. - Studied the immunological responses to HIV vaccines. - Tested engineered antibodies for their viral neutralizing activity. Resigned to pursue a career in science policy and communications.



Scientists and Engineers for America (SEA)

• Online Audio and Video Media
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Policy Fellow

  • Aug 2010 - Feb 2011

  - Co-lead, Science Policy Internship Program (Science Communication) - Organized SEA interns and led policy-based research projects - Designed and led public outreach activities - Developed curriculum for a Science Policy Fellows' Training Program - Co-lead, Science Policy Internship Program (Science Communication) - Organized SEA interns and led policy-based research projects - Designed and led public outreach activities - Developed curriculum for a Science Policy Fellows' Training Program



American University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Assistant Director of Biology Labs

  • Oct 2010 - Dec 2010

  - Designed and developed biology curricula - Taught undergraduate biology courses Resigned to return to the research bench. - Designed and developed biology curricula - Taught undergraduate biology courses Resigned to return to the research bench.



The University of Texas at Austin

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Postdoctoral Research Fellow

  • Jan 2010 - Sep 2010

  - Advanced a novel genetic engineering technology - Advanced a novel genetic engineering technology