ORISE Featurecast

Jin Whan Bae is a Nuclear Reactor Analyst in the Research and Test Reactor Physics Group within the Nuclear Energy and Fuel Cycle Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. He was the recipient of an ORISE Mentor Award in 2024. In this episode of the ORISE Featurecast, Bae talks to host Michael Holtz about his research experience, which covers a wide range of topics related to nuclear science, including fuel cycle modeling and analysis, fission and fusion reactor physics analysis and reactor design, and machine learning applications for nuclear engineering. The conversation focuses on Bae’s educational trajectory, how he has served as a mentor and been mentored by others, and the life shift involved in moving from Korea to the United States. On the personal side, Bae shares his vision for nuclear energy as a force for prosperity without the cost of fossil fuels and carbon emissions.

The 2025-26 cohort of Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellows has begun their fellowship year in Washington, D.C. Natajsa Brown, an educator from Ocean Springs, Miss., is serving as co-host for this cohort's series of ORISE Featurecasts. In this conversation with host Michael Holtz, Brown introduces herself and what led her to apply for the AEF. As you'll hear, it's going to be a great season of conversations. Welcome, Natasja! Natasja Denise Brown is a passionate science educator with twelve years of experience teaching students from 7th grade through the university level. Most recently, she has taught high school accelerated biology at Ocean Springs High School in Mississippi while also serving as an adjunct instructor at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, where she taught Biology I and II. Her dedication to students extends far beyond the classroom. She founded the middle and high school Science Bowl teams at her school, coaching them for the past six years to achieve first place or runner-up finishes nearly every year in the state. In the most recent national competition, her team ranked among the top 32 in the nation. In addition, she has served as the freshman student council sponsor, advised the Red Cross Club, and contributed to the National Honor Society faculty committee. The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Act gives the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) the responsibility for managing the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship. The DOE Office of Science’s Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists (WDTS) manages this program for DOE in collaboration with the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) and the partnering Federal agencies, which, at the time of this recording, included the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Energy (DOE), the Library of Congress (LOC), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the US Geological Survey (USGS), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the National Science Foundation (NSF). The DOE sponsors five placements in congressional offices. To learn more about the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship, visit https://science.osti.gov/wdts/einstein.

Peer review evaluation of an individual or groups work by another individual or group with expertise in the same field or a related field. Peer reviewed work may include proposals to conduct scientific research, ongoing research itself, or a submitted papers based on ongoing or completed research. In this episode of the ORISE Featurecast, host Michael Holtz talks to Colleen Iversen, Ph.D., a former ORISE research participation program participant who now serves as a peer reviewer for ORISE. Their conversation covers the importance of the peer review process to the advancement of science, the newly developed ORISE Peer Review Resource Hub, the need for young investigators to become peer reviewers, and how peer review makes you a better scientist and proposal writer. Access the Peer Review Resource Hub here: https://orise.orau.gov/peer-review/resource-hub/index.html Dr. Colleen Iversen is an ecosystem ecologist who uses a variety of field and laboratory techniques to understand and predict how ecosystems – from upland forests to flooded peatlands to thawing Arctic tundra – are shaped by their environment. Colleen is a Distinguished Staff Scientist in the Environmental Sciences Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Group Leader of the Plant-Soil Interactions group, and Director of the NGEE Arctic project. She is an Editor at the international plant journal New Phytologist, and she was an elected Early Career Fellow of the Ecological Society of America and a member of the inaugural cohort of ‘New Voices’ at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Colleen sees science communication as the foundation for a shared understanding of society’s future, and she has shared her scientific vision on Public Radio International’s ‘Science Friday’, and in the Alda School’s ‘Flame Challenge’, as well as in organized symposia, sessions, and workshops. For more information on Colleen, visit www.colleeniversen.com.

Janine Pino, data librarian for Oak Ridge National Laboratory Research Library and Information Services, discussed “AI Literacy: Secure and Effective Use of Generative AI” as part of the ORISE Symposium on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025. In this episode of the ORISE Featurecast, Pino takes a deeper dive into the topic of generative AI, including how to craft strong prompts, critically evaluate AI-generated output, and navigate the opportunities and pitfalls of using these tools in scholarly research and writing. As a member of the Research Library team, Pino specializes in bibliometric tools, data analysis, and technical training. She joined the lab in 2022 after serving as an academic librarian, online learning liaison, and graduate program instructor. Pino completed her master's degree in information sciences at the University of Tennessee. She welcomes questions and collaborative efforts to improve lab-wide preservation and sharing of scientific and technical information.

Valisha Edwards is an ORISE Fellow in the FBI Visiting Scientist Program. At the time of this conversation, Edwards was in the Counterterrorism and Forensic Science Research Unit where she managed multiple projects ranging from primary explosives to toxicology, overseeing analytical techniques and instrumentation that pertains to these projects. "I typically map out the research in general in its entirety, and then I just do the testing that's required for each project," she said. Edwards has previous experience as a forensic chemist and a police laboratory criminalist. Still, like many of us, she struggles with imposter syndrome. Learn more about Edwards and her research during this thoughtful and engaging conversation. Learn more about the FBI Visiting Scientist Program here: https://orise.orau.gov/fbi/profiles/index.html

Jake Janssen is an ORISE Research Program Participant appointed to the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense. His research focuses on neuroscience, and hazardous chemicals in trauma medicine. In this episode of the ORISE Featurecast, he says "We look at novel polytrauma scenarios involving organophosphates and other pharmaceutical grade drugs, and traumatic brain injuries or TBIs. We want to improve upon treatment guidelines and combat casualty care through new polypharmacy methods, and also identify and study chemicals of concern so that the United States is more prepared for an impending chemical threat from any adversary we may see." In Janssen's conversation with host Michael Holtz, he talks about the underlying importance of his research, his career trajectory and some of the obstacles he has overcome in his life and career. To learn more about ORISE research participation program opportunities at the U.S. Department of Defense, visit https://orise.orau.gov/dodprograms/index.html

Vivian Egan is a self-described nerd who did math for fun as a kid. As a former ORISE research program participant at the Air Force Research Laboratory, Egan is doing time series studies on human behavior, two concepts that don't ordinarily intersect. Time series studies usually focus on financial or environmental data, so focusing on human behavior is novel. She's studying how people multitask and their reaction time to certain stimuli (think loud noises or other interruptions). In a recent conversation with the ORISE Featurecast, Egan talked in-depth about her research, the trajectory of her career, obstacles she's faced and successes she's realized along the way. To learn more about ORISE research opportunities at AFRL and other U.S. Department of Defense programs, visit https://orise.orau.gov/dodprograms/index.html

Jingfan Chen, Ph.D., says she understood that her research had impact outside the laboratory setting when she was studying the solubility of cancer drugs. Lack of solubility -- put simply, whether a drug molecule can dissolve in liquid -- keeps potential cancer drugs from reaching the market. Her study of ways to make these drugs more soluble opened her eyes to the importance of her research outside the lab. Chen took first place in the 2024 ORISE Postdoc Poster Session Showcase for her research on the quality and safety of compounded off-brand semaglutide-based medications. As the demand for weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy has grown, there have been occasional shortages of the name-brand medications. Off-brand compounded medications are more affordable than their name brand counterparts, but can often contain ingredients that are non FDA approved. In this episode of the ORISE Featurecast Chen talks about her work on the poster that took the award, other research she has done, her career trajectory and so much more.

ORISE Featurecast host Michael Holtz is the first to admit he isn't a fan of math. What he knows now is that he wasn't encouraged or given the ability to grow into his understanding of mathematics. In this episode, he and Zachary Minchow-Proffitt, a 2025 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow, have a conversation about Social Emotional Learning with Ralph Pantozzi, also a current AEF Fellow, and Dr. Sharon Sikora, an AEF Alumnus. Social Emotional Learning helps educators understand how to encourage their students by meeting them where ever they may be emotionally when they come into the classroom, taking comparison bias out of the process, and helping students understand that they don't have to grasp a difficult concept immediately; it takes time. This was a meaningful and wide-ranging conversation. Dr. Sharon Sikora is currently a preK - high school science curriculum specialist and high school chemistry educator for Sacred Heart Schools in Atherton, California. In 2016, Sharon left her classroom of 10 years at Punahou School in Honolulu, Hawaii to focus her attention on national education advocacy and policy as a 2016 - 2017 Einstein Distinguished Educator Congressional fellow serving in the US Senate at the Office of Senator Schatz (HI). Sharon has a Bachelor of Arts in Zoology from Pomona College and a Master of Science and Doctorate of Science in Chemistry from the University of Denver. She completed a post-doctorate study in science education as a Senior Fellow at the NSF funded Center for Learning and Teaching in the West (CLTW) after which she served as Denver Public Schools district science coordinator. Sharon has collaborated on and presented sessions with NSELA, NSTA, and ASCD. Sharon’s leadership activities have spanned the international, national, state, district, school and classroom levels. With over 25 years as a science educator and as a published author, most recently with ASCD Education Leadership ‘What Students Have to Say About Student Engagement’, Sharon is committed to improving education for all. Ralph Pantozzi has supervised K-12 instruction and taught mathematics in New Jersey public and private schools for 32 years. He has taught 6th grade math through Calculus BC and Mathematical Research. Most recently Ralph served as teacher and department chair at the K-12 all-girls Kent Place School in Summit, New Jersey. There he developed curriculum, instruction, and assessments coupled with physical and virtual learning resources to support girls’ engagement and long-term success with mathematics. As part of his work, he designed and maintained a learning space called the “Math Studio”. In a room full of books, games, puzzles, art and math, students socialize, communicate, and create mathematical ideas through exploration, play, and research. Zachary Minchow-Proffitt has taught all levels of science courses over the last eleven years. Most recently, Zachary was a Lead Teacher of Integrated Science and Independent Science Research (Biomedical Engineering, Bioinformatics, Data Science/AI) at the Academies of Loudoun, in Leesburg, Virginia, which is a public magnet school for advanced STEM and CTE courses of study. He was also a Beginning Teacher Coach for the school district, responsible for mentoring new secondary science teachers in their first years of teaching. Prior to teaching in Loudoun County, Zachary taught IB/AP Biology at Annandale High School, as well as at AC Flora High School in Columbia, South Carolina, where he taught all levels of science and worked with students from around the world through the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Act gives the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) the responsibility for managing the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship. The DOE Office of Science’s Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists (WDTS) manages this program for DOE in collaboration with the Oak Ridge...

Rebecca Masline, Ph.D., is a researcher at the Plasma Science and Fusion Center at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She completed her Ph.D. at University of California San Diego in 2023. She took third place in the ORISE Postdoc Poster Session Showcase in 2024 for her poster on helium ash in the exhaust streams created by nuclear fusion. In this conversation, Masline explains that when atoms combine to make fusion happen, we get energy, which we like, but we also get one ash of helium as a byproduct. Masline’s research focuses on characterizing and understanding the behavior of helium in the exhaust stream of these nuclear fusion devices and investigate whether we can use that to characterize efficiency of a fusion power plant as a whole. She also talks about her mentors and what drives her as a scientist. To learn more about Masline and her research, visit https://orise.orau.gov/people/success-stories/2025/rebecca-masline.html

Allison Gerken, Ph.D., a research ecologist with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Office, was one of the recipients of a 2024 ORISE Mentor Award for her excellence in mentoring young scientists. In this conversation with ORISE Featurecast host Michael Holtz, Gerken discusses the importance of mentorship for herself and for young scientists. She says learning to use the tools of experimental design and biology to answer questions about behavior and ecology fueled her passion for research, particularly in researching how farmers can protect their investment in providing safe food for Americans and the rest of the world. To learn more about ORISE research opportunities at the USDA-ARS, visit https://orise.orau.gov/usda-ars/index.html

Gene Peters is the chief of Counterterrorism and Forensic Science Research at the FBI Laboratory in Virginia, where he leads research staff to develop new capabilities in, improve existing methods for, and strengthen the foundations and defensibility of science applied to forensic, counterterrorism, and intelligence challenges. His team's research spans forensic aspects of anthropology, molecular biology, analytical chemistry, genetics, geology, microbiology, statistics, toxicology, and physical sciences involving pattern evidence. In this episode of the ORISE Featurecast, Peters discusses the importance of the FBI Visiting Scientist Research Program. He also discusses how many of the researcher that join him have been inspired by what they see on shows like "CSI." For Peters, his TV inspiration was "Quincy MD." He says that while that TV show didn't actually spur an interest specifically in forensics, it did spur an interest in using science to solve problems. To learn more about the FBI Visiting Scientist Research Program, visit https://orise.orau.gov/fbi/default.html

Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellows have a unique role in the nation's STEM education system. They represent educators from all over the country in policy discussions, and they help develop classroom and other educational resources that are accessible to educators and students everywhere. In this episode of the ORISE Featurecast, host Michael Holtz and guest co-host Zachary Proffitt-Minchow, himself an AEF Fellow, discuss how Fellows develop and can help amplify the availability of these resources. They are joined by Katherine Mauro, who is placed in the Air Force and Space Force STEM Outreach Office; Jorge Ambriz, a Capitol Hill Fellow working in Rep. Raul Grijalva's office; and Jonathan Gerlach, an AEF program alumnus and senior director of partnerships at Legends of Learning. Katherine Mauro brings over 10 years of experience in education to her role as an elementary school Library Media Specialist in Newtown, Connecticut. She is passionate about empowering students to become the next generation of changemakers and enjoys creating cross-curricular STEM lessons. Her accolades include being honored as a Connecticut state finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, as well as a 2020 Grosvenor Teacher Fellow with National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions. Katherine’s goal as an educator is to empower students through the use of both authentic experiential learning and technology tools, finding that both are essential elements in a classroom environment that cultivates learning for all types of students. Jorge Ambriz is a dynamic educator with a decade of experience in inspiring students to excel in mathematics while championing educational equity. Notably, Ambriz was selected to join a national cohort of STEM educators for professional development through Texas Instruments' Teachers Teaching with Technology (T3) program. This experience fortified his pedagogical approach, enriching classroom instruction through innovative integration of educational technology. Beyond his academic achievements, Ambriz is deeply committed to fostering inclusive learning environments and expanding access to rigorous coursework for minority students. His unwavering belief in the potential of every student drives his relentless pursuit of excellence in mathematics education. Looking ahead, he remains steadfast in his mission to cultivate the next generation of critical thinkers and problem solvers, equipped to thrive in an ever-evolving global landscape. Jonathan W. Gerlach has extensive experience in the field of education and business. Jonathan W. began their career in 2007 as an Elementary Science Department District Resource for Title I School for the School District of Hillsborough County. In 2011, they served as a 2011-2012 Einstein Capitol Hill Fellow for the U.S. Department of Energy, where they focused on STEM education, educational innovation, teacher effectiveness, and ESEA implementation. In 2012, they joined Discovery Inc. as a Global Consultant for STEM Initiatives, where they were the architect of Discovery Education's three STEM culture transformation systems. Jonathan W. also served as a Senior Manager Professional Development, developing and implementing professional development plans for school districts nationally. In 2018, Jonathan joined EVERFI as a Senior Director of Enterprise Account Management, leading a team supporting a multi-million dollar book of business. Jonathan W. also served as a Sr. Director Customer Success - Global STEM Partnerships, managing high level partnerships with corporate partners supporting STEM initiatives in schools. In 2021, Jonathan joined Legends of Learning as Senior Director, Partnerships & Business Development, leading sales and partner management for all of Florida and select top 25 sized districts across the nation. Jonathan W. doubled the footprint and revenue through new sales of key large accounts, and led strategy and operations...

ORISE is at the forefront of helping educate the U.S. scientific workforce of the future. Educators play a key role in this efforts. In this episode of the ORISE Featurecast, host Michael Holtz and special co-host Zachary Minchow-Proffitt have a conversation with two Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellows about the role of educators in helping their students see themselves pursuing STEM careers. Victoria Thomson, an AEF Fellow at USGS, and Jessica Fries-Gaither, an AEF Fellow at the Library of Congress, discuss barriers that students may face in expanding their interest in STEM and the pursuit of careers in STEM, and what they have done as educators to make their classrooms spaces where students gain self-confidence in STEM subjects. Join us for a great conversation. Victoria Miranda Thomson has been teaching high school science for over a decade, currently at East Lyme High School in Connecticut. She holds a B.S. in Entomology from Cornell University and an M.Sc. from the University of Arizona, where she developed a passion for public education through her NSF GK12 Fellowship. Victoria has taught a wide range of science courses and played a key role in implementing the Next Generation Science Standards. She brings real-world connections to her classroom by engaging with experts from around the globe. As a two-time Fund For Teachers Fellow, she has pursued professional development in astronomy and renewable energy. She is dedicated to expanding access to STEM education and fostering curiosity in her students. Jessica Fries-Gaither has been an educator for 25 years, most recently teaching Lower School (grades 1-5) Science at Columbus School for Girls in Columbus, OH, where she also served as Science Department Chair. In addition to teaching, she is an award-winning author who has published books for teachers and children. A frequent speaker at conferences, Jessica is passionate about the intersection of science and literacy instruction as well as helping students see themselves represented in STEM fields. Zachary Minchow-Proffitt is a 2024-2025 Einstein Fellow with the Department of Energy. Before this fellowship, Zak was a lead teacher and mentor at the Academies of Loudoun, a public STEM magnet school in northern Virginia. As a veteran science and research teacher, Zak is passionate about elevating the STEM research experience of all students. He believes that the future of STEM education will incorporate deeper, personalized, and inclusive education, with a focus on an integrated scientific mindset, as opposed to the traditional “siloed” approach to how we view the world. Zak is looking forward to the ways in which the Einstein Fellowship will continue to broaden his perspective, develop his advocacy, and enhance his ability to make a meaningful impact in the world of STEM. The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Act gives the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) the responsibility for managing the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship. The DOE Office of Science’s Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists (WDTS) manages this program for DOE in collaboration with the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) and the partnering Federal agencies, which, at the time of this recording, included the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Energy (DOE), the Library of Congress (LOC), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the US Geological Survey (USGS), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the National Science Foundation (NSF). The DOE sponsors five placements in congressional offices. To learn more about the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship, visit https://science.osti.gov/wdts/einstein.

Meagan Roberts, MPH, took a leap of faith to move from Middle Tennessee to Washington, D.C., to participate in the National Nuclear Security Agency Minority Serving Institution Internship Program. Roberts talk to ORISE Featurecast host Matthew Underwood about the decision to pursue an ORISE appointment, managing imposter syndrome, leaning into her passion for health and public health, and being open to new opportunities. Roberts also talks about what it is in life that brings her joy. To learn more about or apply for the NNSA MSIIP, visit https://orise.orau.gov/nnsa-msiip/

Technology plays a crucial role in classrooms today. From assisting students with learning, helping teachers stay organized, keeping classrooms secure and so much, technology is essential. In this conversation, hosts Michael Holtz and Zachary Minchow-Proffit talk to Charles Wang and Nancy Penchev, two members of the 2024-25 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educators Fellowship Program cohort, about the impact of technology in its various forms. They also share tips and tricks and some of their favorite tools. Charles Wang is a 2024-2025 Einstein Fellow with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Before becoming an Einstein Fellow, Charles taught computer science and cybersecurity at the high school level in Texas, playing an integral role in the growth of the computer science pathway in his school district. Charles is deeply interested in the ways in which AI and cybersecurity principles can be integrated into all subjects, and is excited for a future in education where EdTech tools are used to enhance personalized learning and broaden access to high quality STEM education for all students. Nancy Penchev is a 2024-2025 Einstein Fellow on the Hill, in the office of Representative Stansbury of New Mexico. Mrs. Penchev has had a long, impactful career in education, including her most recent position at a K-12 private school in North Miami Beach, Florida, as a STEM teacher and Instructional Technology Liaison for the school. Outside of the classroom, Nancy also hosts Girls Building STEAM, which empowers girls to rediscover STEM fields through the lens of play. Nancy believes firmly in the transformative power of education, and is always looking for new opportunities to learn, both for her students and for herself. Zachary Minchow-Proffitt is a 2024-2025 Einstein Fellow with the Department of Energy. Before this fellowship, Zak was a lead teacher and mentor at the Academies of Loudoun, a public STEM magnet school in northern Virginia. As a veteran science and research teacher, Zak is passionate about elevating the STEM research experience of all students. He believes that the future of STEM education will incorporate deeper, personalized, and inclusive education, with a focus on an integrated scientific mindset, as opposed to the traditional “siloed” approach to how we view the world. Zak is looking forward to the ways in which the Einstein Fellowship will continue to broaden his perspective, develop his advocacy, and enhance his ability to make a meaningful impact in the world of STEM.

The ORISE Ignite Off! competition showcases the talents of interns from participating federal agencies and offices as they share their research through Ignite Talks. Each competitor has five minutes to present their project, using 20 picture-centric slides that automatically advance every 15 seconds. In this episode of the ORISE Featurecast, host Michael Holtz talks to the winners of the 2024 ORISE Ignite Off! Featured are Jonathan Blutinger, Ph.D., U.S. Army DEVCOM Soldier Center; Erik Head, Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Christie Kim, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and Ashley Daniszewski, Ph.D., National Energy Technology Laboratory. They are the first, second, third and fan favorite winners, respectively. Check out the episode and learn more about the topics of their presentations. To learn more about the ORISE Ignite Off!, visit https://orise.orau.gov/internships-fellowships/resources/ignite-off-competition.html.

Zachary Minchow-Proffitt is a member of the 2025 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship cohort. He is also the guest co-host for this cohort's series of ORISE Featurecast episodes focused on the AEF program. In this episode, Zak introduces himself and talks with host Michael Holtz about his career, how he became interested in teaching, what he hopes to gain from his AEF experience, and what he hopes to bring to the table as podcast co-host. Zachary Minchow-Proffitt is a 2024-2025 Einstein Fellow with the Department of Energy. Before this fellowship, Zak was a lead teacher and mentor at the Academies of Loudoun, a public STEM magnet school in northern Virginia. As a veteran science and research teacher, Zak is passionate about elevating the STEM research experience of all students. He believes that the future of STEM education will incorporate deeper, personalized, and inclusive education, with a focus on an integrated scientific mindset, as opposed to the traditional “siloed” approach to how we view the world. Zak is looking forward to the ways in which the Einstein Fellowship will continue to broaden his perspective, develop his advocacy, and enhance his ability to make a meaningful impact in the world of STEM. The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Act gives the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) the responsibility for managing the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship. The DOE Office of Science’s Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists (WDTS) manages this program for DOE in collaboration with the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) and the partnering Federal agencies, which, at the time of this recording, included the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Energy (DOE), the Library of Congress (LOC), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the US Geological Survey (USGS), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the National Science Foundation (NSF). The DOE sponsors five placements in congressional offices. To learn more about the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship, visit https://science.osti.gov/wdts/einstein.

ORISE annually announces the recipients of the Future of Science Awards, which celebrate excellence performed by ORISE participants in the areas of scientific achievement, professional growth, project contributions and leadership. Reese Tierney received the Graduate Student and Post-Master's Degree Award in 2023. Tierney is an epidemiologist in the Enteric Diseases Epidemiology Branch at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. During her tenure in CDC’s ORISE Research Participation Program, Tierney assisted CDC scientists with several high-priority projects, including the development foodborne illness source attribution estimates, investigation of disparities in foodborne illness, and analysis of social and environmental factors associated with salmonellosis. In this conversation, hosts Michael Holtz and Matthew Underwood talk to Tierney about her award, her passion for community-based public health and so much more.

In this episode of the ORISE Featurecast, host Michael Holtz and guest co-host Amy Szczepanski talk to Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellows who spent their fellowship time on Capitol Hill. They talk about what it's like to work behind the scenes in the nation's seat of power, the people they met, and what they will take back to their communities from their experiences. Steve Robinson was a 2005 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow in the office of Senator Barack Obama. During his time as a Senate staffer, he also served as a mentor for students in DCPS, as a reading tutor for elementary grade students and as a math tutor with middle school students. Prior to joining the Einstein Fellowship, Steve was a high school science teacher in Eugene, Oregon. Steve Robinson joined the Department of Education as a Special Advisor to Secretary Arne Duncan. Prior to joining the Department, Robinson served as the Legislative Assistant for education in the office of then-Senator Barack Obama, advised on policy development during the presidential campaign, and worked on education issues with the Obama-Biden Presidential Transition Team. Jacquelyn (Freeman) Southerland was a 2023-2024 Einstein Fellow in the office of Rep. Suzanne Bonamici. Prior to becoming a Fellow, Jacquelyn served as the science Department Chair and Science Content Lead at Prince George County's Public Schools. After completing her undergraduate coursework in Life Science: Biology, Ms Southerland expanded her knowledge in environmental sciences through internships with the University of Massachusetts: Boston, the University of North Carolina: Chapel Hill. There her research earned her the National Science Fellowship Grant. She continues to encourage other educators on the importance of STEM through relativity through integrated learning practices. Tyler Dufrene is a 2022-2023 Einstein Fellow placed on the Committee on Education and the Workforce. He taught AP Physics and Chemistry in Raceland, Louisiana, and in 2018, was elected to the Lafourche Parish School Board. Tyler currently serves as a Professional Learning Specialist for Arlington Public Schools and a Master Teacher of Invention and Intellectual Property (MTIP) with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Amy Szczepanski, a high school teacher from New York City, is currently serving as the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator at the Department of Energy (DOE) in the Office of Workforce Development of Teachers and Scientists (WDTS). Currently, Amy is working on supporting the programs WDTS provides as well as expanding her own professional development as an educator. The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Act gives the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) the responsibility for managing the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship. The DOE Office of Science’s Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists (WDTS) manages this program for DOE in collaboration with the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) and the partnering Federal agencies, which, at the time of this recording, included the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Energy (DOE), the Library of Congress (LOC), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the US Geological Survey (USGS), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the National Science Foundation (NSF). The DOE sponsors five placements in congressional offices. To learn more about the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship, visit https://science.osti.gov/wdts/einstein.