I have always been passionate about science and outreach is something I think I’m good at. So when I received an email from GSA saying I was on the shortlist for a very important advocacy and outreach event, I thought about how I might be the best scientist to represent GSA. I drafted the following message:
I’m the perfect candidate because:
I’m super-friendly, energetic, and creative
I’m not an introvert
I can be very humorous
My poster will be both visually and scientifically appealing
I work on something most people know about, mitosis or cell division
I do outreach with underrepresented students in STEM
I use scientific art to engage the public
I serve as a Board member for SACNAS
I’m passionate about science, science education, and policy.
I hit send…and waited….
About a week later, I received an email from Chloe Poston, GSA Policy and Communications Manager, saying I had been selected to go!
I was invited to present my NSF-funded research as a poster session at the Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF) Exhibition on April 26th. Chloe also organized meetings with the offices of my Wisconsin representatives, Sen.Tammy Baldwin (D), Sen. Ron Johnson (R), and Rep. Mark Pocan.
Meeting my Wisconsin representatives:
April 26th, 2016, was one of the hottest spring days in D.C. I’ve ever experienced. It also just happened to be the day I was meeting with the staff of my Wisconsin representatives.
Each office has snacks and decor related to the state. We found beef jerky, raisins and a cheesehead in the waiting area of Sen. Ron Johnson’s office.
I met Chloe Poston from the GSA in the morning and she briefed me about what to expect, and reassured me that she would accompany me on my visits. This put me at ease as she knew information I didn’t, and we worked as a team. Chloe was able to converse with them using their lingo (that I was not accustomed to). Chloe had already told me I didn’t need to prepare anything, but she suggested that bringing along a short presentation wouldn’t hurt. Luckily I took her advice. The visuals and movies really helped explain the impacts of my research and why NSF funding is important.
After visiting all three offices, I thought we had made the biggest headway with the Republican. That’s not what I expected. The democrats in my district and in Wisconsin are fully supportive of science. They assured us that they are following support for research closely, and thanked us for coming to the Hill to raise awareness about research funding. Although the office was sweltering, my presentation and enthusiasm plus Chloe’s experience and data helped win Rep. Ron Johnson’s office over. We were soon asked who to talk to about increasing NSF funding (which was great!). We mentioned Sen. Tammy Baldwin, who authored The Next Generation Research Act, which would ensure support for researchers and innovators of the future. Chloe assured me that it was a really good sign that he asked so many questions and wrote notes on our conversation.
I also couldn’t help but get excited about history and current events. Being a fan of politics, I tried to spot representatives and senators I knew. I saw some very tall men in 10-gallon hats talking with a senator, perhaps from Texas. Others chatting near the elevator asked us where we were from after overhearing our accents. I was looking for Bernie’s YUUGE office, but didn’t get a chance to see it…maybe next time.
For my poster presentation:
The Exhibition was just like any other scientific poster session you’ve been to, except there was an awkward feel in the room. I couldn’t put my finger on why, but then realized that all of the scientists presenting, including me, seemed a little uncomfortable appearing to be “dressed up”. As many of you know, the last place scientists want to be is in a suit. This meant it was pretty easy to spot the legislators and staffers, given their ease and experience wearing these pieces of clothing.
As legislators and their staffers trickled in, I whipped out my laptop, put some of my movies of C. elegans embryos dividing on a loop, and asked people if they “Wanna hear about how cells divide?” It was a lot of fun to see what policymakers knew about mitosis and to show off what cell division looks like in real time.
Explaining why I use C.elegans to study cell division to AAAS CEO Rush Holt
I spoke to other geneticists, mathematicians, physicists, staffers, NSF program officers, and even Rush Holt (rep-NJ), CEO of the Science family of journals at AAAS. I was also approached by a AAAS fellow who said I did the best job at visualizing my science to the general public. In hindsight, I would have even simplified my poster even more. But live and learn.
D.C. direct to Madison
Probably the greatest thing that happened to me was on my way home from D.C. I got to the gate at DCA and saw Russ Feingold! He’s a former WI senator now running for Ron Johnson’s senate seat! Being a huge fan, I bit my lip and acted like I didn’t know who he was (and then texted everyone I knew!).
My plan was to say hello after we landed. So I ran and got my bags and waited. Just as I gave up and went to meet my husband outside at the curb, Feingold stepped out of the airport. He must’ve seen me eyeing him (like a huge fan girl) because he said hello. From about twenty feet away, I thanked him for his service. He walked toward me and introduced himself, asked what I do. When I told him I was a professor, he wanted to know about my research and where I went to grad school. While I was chatting, I reached into my backpack to find my business cards and out came probably the dirtiest business card possible. “This is all I have and apologize for the dirt, but would like you to come to visit my lab sometime?” I said. As he walked away, I thought to myself: no one would respond to such a dirty business card.
Russ Feingold holding one of the cupcakes I baked.
Two days later, I was in my office working on a revision of my manuscript and my office phone rings. “This is Russ Feingold’s secretary. He met you at the airport the other day and would like to invite you to a dinner in his honor at someone’s home next Friday. Can you come?” First, I thought it was a joke (or a dream), but she said she would email me the details. A week later, I had a chance over dinner to talk with Feingold about science and the fate of UW-Madison, something I care so deeply about. I also baked him some cupcakes, which he loved. His office is planning a visit to my lab too. The moral of the story is: you never know when you might meet a politician – so be prepared with clean business cards and a smile!
Advice for others who want to meet with their representatives and senators
Start early in preparation of your visit. Ask GSA or other scientific associations if someone from their office can accompany you. Prepare to meet office staff that will likely be in their mid-to-late 20s. Yes – young! Remember that you have only 5 minutes to explain your research, so good visuals really do help. Movies are even better if you have them. The best way to start is to ask if they know something basic about the process you study. Like cell division or what DNA is. Then slowly work your way to why is cell division important to understand, etc. If you’re struggling with these explanations, keep working at it. Or better yet, get involved in outreach events on campus or at your institute. Be passionate about your research/teaching and be yourself. The last thing you want them to think about scientists is that we are as dry and exciting as toast.
I encourage everyone to get involved, learn about science policy, learn to be a better science educator, support STEM diversity efforts, contact your representatives and senators, post about science on social media, and any other ways you’re comfortable engaging with the public. But simply get engaged!
 Ahna Skop |
About the author:
Dr. Ahna Skop is an associate professor of Genetics, Life Sciences Communication and the UW-Madison Arts Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research seeks to understand the mechanisms that regulate asymmetric cell division and uses the fantastic model organism, C. elegans. She serves on the board of SACNAS where she dedicates her time to foster the success of Chicano/Hispanic and Native American scientists in STEM. Her broader impacts focus on using art to engage the public with science and has several public installations of scientific art on the UW-Madison campus. She has run the bi-annual C. elegans art show at the international C. elegans meetings since she was a grad student. In her free time, she runs the C. elegans Researchers Facebook page and has a foodblog, foodskop.com. Her Twitter handle is: @foodskop |
Guest posts are contributed by members of our community. The views expressed in guest posts are those of the author(s) and are not necessarily endorsed by the Genetics Society of America. If you'd like to write a guest post, e-mail communications@genetics-gsa.org.
View all posts by Guest Author »Read more in
-
Where are they now? Rosalind Franklin Young Investigator Award recipients share updates on their research
Rosalind Franklin Young Investigator Award applications are open–make sure you submit your application or nomination of a colleague by September 30, 2024.
-
University of Minnesota researchers map genome of the last living wild horse species
The study, published in G3: Genes|Genomes|Genetics, is part of larger conservation efforts to save Przewalski’s horse.
-
Congratulations to the Spring 2024 DeLill Nasser Awardees!
GSA is pleased to announce the recipients of the DeLill Nasser Award for Professional Development in Genetics for Spring 2024! Given twice a year to graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, DeLill Nasser Awards support attendance at meetings and laboratory courses. The award is named in honor of DeLill Nasser, a long-time GSA supporter and National Science Foundation…
-
Carolyn Damilola: an NFS Rising Scientist on a lifelong quest to learn more
Carolyn Damilola is an NFS Rising Scientist from Nigeria doing respiratory system research and paving the way for scientists from underrepresented communities through mentorship.
-
What does a good microgrant proposal look like?
Members of the Microgrant Review Committee share their tips for a successful proposal.
-
The first piece of the facial recognition puzzle
New research in GENETICS gives a first peek at the molecular pathway involved in recognizing faces.
-
New Senior Editor Amy MacQueen joins GENETICS
A new senior editor is joining GENETICS in the Genome Integrity and Transmission section. We’re excited to welcome Amy MacQueen to the editorial team.
-
Block party on the zebrafish sex chromosome
Research in G3 identifies a gene regulatory block of the zebrafish genome responsible for overseeing the maternal-to-zygotic-transition.
-
Unraveling the mysteries of duckweed: epigenetic insights from Spirodela polyrhiza
Research published in G3 offers insight into the impact of DNA methylation on clonal propagation in asexually reproducing plants.
-
A microbiologist’s quest to understand CRISPR in bacterial self-defense
2024 Genetics Society of America Medal recipient Luciano Marraffini determined how CRISPR-Cas systems destroy genetic targets with precision, paving the way for gene editing technology development.
-
Unlocking mysteries of trait and disease heritability in dogs
2024 Edward Novitski Prize recipient Elaine Ostrander, a pioneer of the domestic dog model, discovered numerous genes affecting dog size, morphology, behavior, and disease susceptibility—many of which have relevance in humans.
-
GSA and collaborators Personal Genetics Education & Dialogue and Reclaiming STEM Institute launch NSF-funded BIO-LEAPS project to support culture change in genetics
We are thrilled to announce that the Genetics Society of America (GSA) is collaborating with the Personal Genetics Education & Dialogue (PGED) based in the Department of Genetics at Harvard Medical School, and the Reclaiming STEM Institute (RSI) on a Leading Culture Change Through Professional Societies of Biology (BIO-LEAPS) grant from the U.S. National Science…
-
Daman Saluja: Navigating Science and Policy in India
In the Paths to Science Policy series, we talk to individuals who have a passion for science policy and are active in advocacy through their various roles and careers. The series aims to inform and guide early career scientists interested in science policy. This series is brought to you by the GSA Early Career Scientist…
-
A fly geneticist’s journey into discovering rules of organ development
2024 George W. Beadle Award recipient Deborah Andrew discovered new genes and pathways in Drosophila salivary gland organogenesis. Now, her work can help optimize cell secretion in therapeutic applications and fight malaria.
-
Małgorzata Gazda: How receiving the DeLill Nasser Award helped her land her dream job
Have you ever experienced an event that changes the course of your life, or in this case, your career? Małgorzata (Gosia) Gazda is Assistant Professor at the University of Montreal and in 2022, she received the DeLill Nasser Award for Professional Development in Genetics, which she used to attend and present at the 2022 Population,…
-
Hongyu Zhao joins GENETICS as new Senior Editor
A new senior editor is joining GENETICS in the Statistical Genetics and Genomics section. We’re excited to welcome Hongyu Zhao to the editorial team.
-
GSA Member Julio Molina Pineda Receives DeLill Nasser Award, Shines at TAGC 2024
“At any career stage, the GSA membership is an amazing investment for any genetics professional!” Julio Molina Pineda is a PhD Candidate in Cell and Molecular Biology and a Research Assistant at the University of Arkansas, and a Doctoral Academy Fellow at the Lewis Lab. In 2023, Julio was awarded the DeLill Nasser Award for…
-
In Memoriam: Ellsworth Herman Grell (1932–2023), a pioneer of Drosophila genome engineering and annotation
Ellsworth (Ed) Grell blessed the Drosophila community through three enduring legacies: as a pioneer of chromosome mechanics, as a primary organizer and synthesizer of genetic knowledge in Drosophila, and as a graceful mentor to those fortunate to have known him personally. Ed grew up in rural Nebraska, completed his undergraduate studies at Iowa State, and…
-
Congratulations to the #Fungal24 Poster Award winners!
We are pleased to announce the recipients of the GSA Poster Awards for posters presented at the 32nd Fungal Genetics Conference! Undergraduate and graduate student members of GSA were eligible for the awards, and a hard-working team of judges made the determinations. Congratulations to all! Felicia Ebot Ojong, The University of Georgia My research is focused…
-
Poster presentation tips for TAGC 2024
You’ve been selected to present a poster at The Allied Genetics Conference 2024 in March—you’ve celebrated, made plans to attend, now what? This is an exciting opportunity to showcase your research and engage with fellow members of the genetics community, so you want to make sure you’re prepared. We wanted to offer you some tips…
-
Maximize your TAGC 2024 experience
A guide to all that National Harbor & DC have to offer Are you joining us for The Allied Genetics Conference 2024 in March? Make the most of your #TAGC24 experience in National Harbor! We know the science will keep you busy, but you deserve to unwind and have some fun, so we’ve curated a…
-
Early Career Leadership Spotlight: Sarah Petrosky
We’re taking time to get to know the members of the GSA’s Early Career Scientist Committees. Join us to learn more about our early career scientist advocates. Sarah PetroskyMultimedia SubcommitteeUniversity of Pittsburgh Research Interest I am interested in understanding adaptation that has been happening recently in populations by dissecting the ways that genes underlying an adaptation…
-
TAGC 2024 Early Career Award Winners
GSA is pleased to announce the winners of the early career awards presented at The Allied Genetics Conference 2024. These awards are specific to particular TAGC communities and recognize early career scientists’ outstanding work on their respective research organisms. The awardees will present their talks in keynote sessions at TAGC 2024. Don’t miss the opportunity…
-
Preeminent geneticists recognized with revamped GSA Awards
In 2022, GSA’s Board of Directors launched an audit to review the five major awards conferred by the Society. Today, we are thrilled to announce the recipients of the reimagined GSA Awards, including the new Genetics Society of America Early Career Medal. The scientists honored this year are recognized by their peers for their outstanding…
-
Fly Board funds outreach programs to spread the word about Drosophila research
In 2020, the Fly Board voted to use part of its reserve fund to support efforts to increase trainee participation as well as equity and diversity in the Drosophila community. An awards committee decides how the money will be spent each year, and from 2020–2022, the committee posted a very broad call for applications from…
-
New members of the GSA Board of Directors: 2024–2026
We are pleased to announce the election of four new leaders to the GSA Board of Directors: 2024 Vice President/2025 President Brenda Andrews Professor, University of Toronto It’s an honor to continue my association with the Society by serving as Vice President of the Board of Directors. I have broad knowledge of the ongoing activities…
-
Early Career Leadership Spotlight: Olufemi Osonowo
We’re taking time to get to know the members of the GSA’s Early Career Scientist Committees. Join us to learn more about our early career scientist advocates. Olufemi Adekunle OsonowoCareer Development SubcommitteeDalhousie University Research Interest Metabolomics and genomics are two distinct but complimentary approaches that offer valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms of complex traits, such…
-
Early Career Leadership Spotlight: Hector Mendoza
We’re taking time to get to know the members of the GSA’s Early Career Scientist Committees. Join us to learn more about our early career scientist advocates. Hector MendozaCommunication and Outreach SubcommitteeUniversity of Michigan Research Interest My research goals converge around the evolution of sexual reproduction. During my doctoral program, I investigated mitochondrial inheritance, a mechanism…
-
Paths to Science Policy with Daniel Pomeroy
In this interview, we sat down with Daniel Pomeroy. Daniel is currently the Executive Director of the Scientific Policy Initiative at Harvard. He has a wide history of science policy involvement. We discussed his journey into the science policy space and also resources for early career scientists interested in science policy. Would you provide a…