Fellowship Program

UCR Ph.D. students that have completed the S2P certificate course are placed in local policy makers' offices, government agencies, NGOs, non-profits, or other organizations on timely issues which would benefit from scientific expertise. This fellowship program is funded by S2P as a professional development opportunity.
In preparation for the fellowship, S2P leadership and student fellows will discuss potential research topics, mentors from the host office, and logistics, which will be codified in a fellowship agreement signed by both parties. Over 2-3 months, S2P Fellows will compile and analyze data and information to complete a report, presentation, or other deliverable to be presented at the conclusion of the fellowship. The types of projects and the data and research methods employed vary based on the host’s needs and the student’s interests and expertise. Previous fellowships have investigated veteran’s access to healthcare, constituent opinions on systemic racism, childcare during the COVID pandemic, a report on the state of the Salton Sea, and the ecological effects of illegal cannabis growth operations.
Currently, fellowships are remote, though can involve site visits and in-person meetings. Fellows receive mentorship from S2P professional leadership throughout the duration of the fellowship and have a dedicated mentor in their host office. Typically, fellowships last about 3 months, however they can extend beyond the 2-3 month time frame with agreement from the fellow and host office. If you want to learn more about the science to policy fellows click here. If you want to learn more about their final products, click here.
Past Fellowship Placements and Outcomes
Name |
UCR Department |
Office of Placement |
Year |
Title of Project |
Outcome |
Derreck Carter- |
Microbiology and Plant Pathology |
Congressman Mark Takano, 41st District |
2019 |
Report on Capacity, Quality, Accessibility of Veteran Affairs Clinics in Southern California |
Written Report |
Danielle Delany |
Psychology |
Congressman Mark Takano, 41st District |
2020 |
The Impact of COVID-19 on Early Care and Education in Congressional District 41 |
Written Report and Presentation |
Agnes Varghese |
Developmental Psychology |
Assemblywoman Eloise Gomez Reyes, 47th District |
2020 |
The Importance of Implementing Online Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) in California Schools Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic |
Policy memo, Legislative proposal |
Gabriel Ortiz |
Plant Pathology and Microbiology |
Assemblyman Thurston Smith, 33rd District |
2021 |
Report on Environmental Impacts of Illegal Cannabis grows in San Bernardino County |
Written Report and Presentation |
William Ota |
Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology |
Oswit Land Trust |
2021 |
Conversion of Golf Course to Desert Preserve |
Research packet |
Stephanie Piper |
Botany and Plant Sciences |
CA Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife |
2021 |
Community Engagement and the Future of the Salton Sea |
Written report |
Stephanie Piper |
Botany and Plant Sciences |
Oswit Land Trust |
2021 |
Conversion of Golf Course to Desert Preserve |
Research packet |
Chris |
Mechanical Engineering |
Coachella Valley Mountain Conservancy |
2022 |
Recommendations for Conservation Education |
Written report |