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AAI's Public Policy Fellows Program (PPFP)

  Applications are being accepted through Wednesday, January 22. Apply now!

The AAI Public Policy Fellows Program (PPFP) is a one-year opportunity designed to empower early-career biomedical researchers to become effective advocates for NIH funding and science policy issues of concern to the immunology community. 

If you are within 15 years of receiving your terminal degree and committed to a career in research, the PPFP is your chance to help shape the future of immunology and the scientific enterprise. 

Program Components:

The PPFP runs from May 1st of the selection year to April 30th of the following year and offers specialized training and hands-on experience without requiring you to leave your job or institution.
 

Why Apply? Become a Leader in Science Advocacy

• Understand Science Policy: Become familiar with how the President, Congress, and NIH determine the policies and funding levels that directly impact your career and the broader biomedical research enterprise.
• Amplify Your Voice: Learn about the legislative process and gain the skills to advocate for policies that directly affect your research and the scientific community.
• Invest in Leadership: Former Fellows often participate in significant AAI volunteer roles, including serving on the AAI Committee on Public Affairs, which provides even more intensive opportunities to shape AAI's public policy efforts.

Qualifications and Application Requirements

All PPFP participants are selected by the AAI Committee on Public Affairs. Applicants must meet all the following criteria: 

Eligibility

• Must have received their Ph.D. or M.D. (or equivalent) within the previous 15 years in immunology or a related field.
• Must be a member in good standing of AAI at the time of application and throughout the Fellowship year.
• Must be committed to a career in biomedical research.
• Must live and work in the United States.
• Must possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills and demonstrate an interest in public policy as it relates to biomedical research.

Submission Requirements
Applicants must submit the following three electronic web forms by the designated deadline:

1. The official AAI PPFP application (including uploading your CV).
2. Two recommendation forms. At least one must be from an AAI regular member in good standing (who does not serve on the AAI Council or AAI Committee on Public Affairs).

Fellows

• 2026-2027
• 2025-2026
• 2024-2025
• 2023-2024
• Prior Years' Fellows

Sarah Beckett Cleveland, PhD

I am honored and excited to be selected as a 2026-2027 AAI Public Policy Fellow. I am a PhD-trained immunologist with a background in T cell biology and autoimmune disease development, and an interest in how scientific discoveries translate into improved health outcomes. I believe scientists have a responsibility beyond the bench, particularly at a time when public trust in science, federal research funding, and evidence-based health policy face increasing challenges. Through the AAI PPFP, I look forward to gaining a deeper understanding of the federal policymaking process, strengthening my ability to communicate complex immunological concepts to diverse audiences, and learning how scientists can effectively advocate for evidence-based policy. I am eager to help ensure that scientific evidence remains central to public health decision-making. I am deeply grateful to AAI for this opportunity and for its continued commitment to engaging early-career scientists in science policy and advocacy.

Utsa Bhaduri, PhD

Harvard Medical School (Massachusetts)

I am deeply honored to receive the 2026–27 Public Policy Fellowship from AAI. As a postdoctoral research fellow at Harvard Medical School and in the Precision Vaccines Program at Boston Children’s Hospital, I conduct systems immunology and vaccinology research with a focus on immunometabolism in early human life. Born in India and trained for my PhD as a Marie Sk艂odowska-Curie Fellow in Italy and Europe, I experienced the COVID-19 pandemic across different societal and political contexts, revealing how policy decisions can amplify or undermine scientific advances. These experiences strengthened my commitment to working at the intersection of basic and translational immunology, public health, and policy. Through the fellowship, I hope to gain firsthand insight into how the U.S. Congress, the administration, and federal agencies shape policy and funding decisions that directly impact biomedical research and public health, while strengthening my ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to policymakers and the public.

Joseph Dolence, PhD

University of Nebraska at Kearney

I am honored to be selected as an AAI Public Policy Fellow for the 2026-2027 cohort. At a time when science funding, higher education, and public trust in biomedical research face significant challenges, it is essential for scientists to engage directly in policy conversations. As an immunologist who is a faculty leader at a primarily undergraduate institution in rural Nebraska, I see firsthand how federal and state decisions shape research programs, student opportunities, and the strength of our communities. Through this fellowship, I look forward to strengthening my ability to advocate effectively for sustained investment in biomedical research, science literacy, and higher education. I am especially eager to apply what I learn not only at the federal level, but also within Nebraska, where thoughtful advocacy can make a meaningful difference. I am incredibly grateful to AAI for this opportunity and look forward to working alongside fellow scientists to advance thoughtful, science-informed policy.

Matthew Fischer, PhD

Princeton University (New Jersey)

It’s a great honor to be selected to participate in AAI’s Public Policy Fellows Program. I am excited to learn about what makes an effective public policy, and the best strategies to advocate for scientific research. Scientists have a responsibility to clearly and effectively communicate their research to both scientific and non-scientific communities. In addition, I am looking forward to working with the policy experts within AAI to learn the best strategies to advocate for research to the public and empower us to be valuable resources for policy makers. The need for clear and concise scientific communication to the public has never been greater, and I hope that through this program I will develop skills for promoting the importance of basic immunological and clinical research. I am grateful for the opportunity to join this cohort to learn how to be effective mediators between elected officials and the scientific community.

Olanrewaju Morenikeji, PhD

Virginia State University

Being named an AAI Public Policy Fellow is a remarkable privilege and a significant milestone in my career. Although my primary responsibilities are at the laboratory bench, I recognize the duty of every scientist to participate in both the societal and political frameworks that support our research. I am excited to represent AAI and learn how to translate complex scientific concepts into compelling narratives for policymakers. I look forward to collaborating with fellow scientists to advance the importance of immunology and to ensure a robust future for the next generation of researchers through strategic advocacy and informed policy engagement.

Jacqueline (Koko) Mutai, PhD

Oregon Health and Science University
Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kenya

I am honored to have been selected as a fellow in the AAI Public Policy Fellowship Program (PPFP). As an African Scientist working at the intersection of immunology and vaccinology, this opportunity is particularly meaningful to me because it provides a platform to better understand how science policies in the Global North shape research priorities and public health outcomes in the Global South. Much of the funding and policy decisions that influence infectious disease research are made far from communities most affected. Through this fellowship, I hope to connect with public health policy fellows, raise awareness of the effects of funding decisions on low- and middle-income countries, strengthen my ability to communicate scientific evidence effectively to policymakers, and contribute to conversations that advance equitable global health.

Rachel Prescott, PhD

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (Tennessee)

I am thrilled to participate in the 2026-2027 AAI Public Policy Fellowship Program. As a researcher studying the host-microbe interactions of emerging pathogens, I have directly witnessed the importance of policy decisions both on the research community and public health as a whole. In my experience, many people both in both government and the wider populace are willing to learn about why science policy is important, but the availability of experts on these subjects who are willing to teach them is scarce and communicating these important ideas can often be difficult. I have always believed that we as scientists are at least partially responsible for communicating how important policy decisions around the scientific community can be, and I am excited to get to directly engage in the process and learn from policymakers through this program.

Christopher Risley, PhD

The University of Alabama at Birmingham

I am honored to have been selected as an AAI Public Policy Fellow for the 2026-2027 cycle. In a climate where disinformation and public mistrust in science are increasingly prevalent, it is crucial to have informed and dedicated scientists advocating on behalf of the scientific community. As scientists, we are trained to think critically to solve complex scientific problems; this program provides the unique opportunity to learn how to translate those skills into the domain of public policy. I am excited to learn about the inner workings of science policy, and, in doing so, become a stronger advocate for science. I look forward to honing my scientific communication skills and collaborating with my AAI colleagues to leverage our skills for the benefit of both the scientific community and the communities we serve.

Andrew Simonson, PhD

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (Pennsylvania)

I am honored to be selected as a participant in the 2026–2027 AAI Public Policy Fellows Program. I study the immunology of tuberculosis, a disease that has affected humanity for millennia and continues to cause substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although biomedical science has experienced tremendous technological advancement, progress against infectious diseases rarely comes from a single breakthrough. Rather, improvements in global health outcomes reflect decades of sustained scientific investment and collaboration. As scientists, we have a responsibility to clearly communicate the significance of our work beyond the research community and maintain meaningful engagement with the public. I look forward to engaging with policymakers, strengthening my ability to communicate the importance of biomedical research to broader audiences, and supporting evidence-based decision-making.

Lauren Stewart Stafford, PhD

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine (Ohio)

I am so honored to be selected as a 2026-2027 AAI Public Policy Fellow! My research focuses on how moms and babies respond to maternal vaccination, putting my work at an important intersection of immunology, public health, and women and infant health. Currently, we are living through a remarkable time in history where vaccinations have become increasingly controversial, placing neonates and infants at extreme risk. I truly believe we as scientists are necessary pillars to bridge the gap in public understanding and returned trust in science and research. As someone who lives with a chronic illness and grew up impoverished, I recognize how critical the positive connection is between education, health, government funding, and the public. I look forward to learning and growing alongside my fellow fellows!

Alfonso Bencomo-Alvarez, Ph.D.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (Tennessee)

Mayassa Bou-Dargham, Ph.D.
University of Pennsylvania

Cherry Cheuk Lam Cheung, M.Sc., Ph.D.
Indiana University School of Medicine

Elizabeth Delery, Ph.D.
Marian University (Indiana)

Jordan Holl, Ph.D.
Wadsworth New York State Department of Health

Marisa Joldrichsen, Ph.D.
The Ohio State University

Ian Saunders, Ph.D.
Johnson & Johnson (Pennsylvania)

Allison Seeger, Ph.D.
University of Texas at Austin

Tulika Singh, Ph.D.
University of California, Berkeley

Sheetal Verma, Ph.D.
Rutgers University - New Jersey Medical School

Mark Brimble, Ph.D.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Brennah Britten, Ph.D.
The Wistar Institute

Douglas Chung, Ph.D.
Genentech

David Constant, Ph.D.
Oregon Health & Science University

Neha Dubey, Ph.D.
Washington University in St. Louis

Patricia Ferrer Castillo, Ph.D.
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine

Rebekah Kendall, Ph.D.
The University of Montana

Jillian L. McCool, Ph.D.
Lawrence Livermore National Lab

Gianluca Veggiani, Ph.D.
Louisiana State University

Insha Zahoor, Ph.D. Henry Ford Health

Mafalda de Arr谩bida Farelo, Ph.D.
City of Hope

Heather Gustafson, Ph.D.
Seattle Children's Research Institute

Anne Hahn, Ph.D.
Yale School of Public Health

Emma Hornick, Ph.D.
University of Iowa

Nicholas Maurice, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota

Srinivasu Mudalagiriyappa, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Amgen

Amali Samarasinghe, Ph.D.
University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center

Derek Theisen, Ph.D.
Washington University in St. Louis

Sarah Webster, Ph.D.
Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine

Samantha Yeligar, Ph.D.
Emory University

Adeleye Adeshakin, Ph.D.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Adriana Benavides, Ph.D.
American Association for Cancer Research

Jeremy Crawford, Ph.D.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Caroline Jones, Ph.D.
University of Texas at Dallas

Jamie McCall, Ph.D.
West Virginia University

Chandra Menendez, Ph.D.
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

Victoria Mutua, D.V.M., Ph.D.
University of California, Davis

Ninecia Scott, Ph.D.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Erin Taylor, Ph.D.
University of Mississippi Medical Center

Year: All Years2022-20232021-20222020-20212019-20202018-20192017-20182016-20172015-20162014-20152013-20142012-20132011-2012

,

Year	Recipient	Sort Name
2022-2023	Adeleye Adeshakin, Ph.D.	Adeshakin
2022-2023	Adriana Benavides, Ph.D.	Benavides
2022-2023	Jeremy Crawford, Ph.D.	Crawford
2022-2023	Caroline Jones, Ph.D.	Jones
2022-2023	Jamie McCall, Ph.D.	McCall
2022-2023	Chandra Menendez, Ph.D.	Menendez
2022-2023	Victoria Mutua, D.V.M., Ph.D.	Mutua
2022-2023	Ninecia Scott, Ph.D.	Scott
2022-2023	Erin Taylor, Ph.D.	Taylor
2021-2022	Todd Bradley, Ph.D.	Bradley
2021-2022	Virginia Camacho, Ph.D.	Camacho
2021-2022	Victor Cortez, Ph.D.	Cortez
2021-2022	Meredith Crane, Ph.D.	Crane
2021-2022	Mary Fontana, Ph.D.	Fontana
2021-2022	Teresia Maina, Ph.D.	Maina
2021-2022	Cody McHale, Ph.D.	McHale
2020-2021	S. Elizabeth Franks, Ph.D.	Franks
2020-2021	Erin M. Harberts, Ph.D.	Harberts
2020-2021	April Huseby Kelcher, Ph.D.	Kelcher
2020-2021	Peter D. Krueger, Ph.D.	Krueger
2020-2021	Brina Lopez, D.V.M., Ph.D.	Lopez
2020-2021	Joshua T. Mattila, Ph.D.	Mattila
2020-2021	Parameswaran Ramakrishnan, Ph.D.	Ramakrishnan
2020-2021	Julia M. Scordo, Ph.D.	Scordo
2020-2021	Shipra Vaishnava, Ph.D.	Vaishnava
2020-2021	Tayab Waseem, Ph.D.	Waseem
2019-2020	Ty Crowl, Ph.D.	Crowl
2019-2020	Magdia De Jesus, Ph.D.	De Jesus
2019-2020	Nicholas Hess, Ph.D.	Hess
2019-2020	Rebecca Hesterberg, Ph.D.	Hesterberg
2019-2020	Weishan Huang, Ph.D.	Huang
2019-2020	Peter Morawski, Ph.D.	Morawski
2019-2020	Dennis Neeld, Ph.D.	Neeld
2019-2020	Shailbala Singh, D.V.M., Ph.D.	Singh
2019-2020	Anibal Valentin-Acevedo, Ph.D.	Valentin-Acevedo
2019-2020	Leah Wuescher, Ph.D.	Wuescher
2018-2019	Nathaniel H. Boyd, Ph.D.	Boyd
2018-2019	Gavin H. Imperato, M.D.	Imperato
2018-2019	Liz McMichael, Ph.D.	McMichael
2018-2019	Gregory Szeto, Ph.D.	Szeto
2018-2019	Francisco R. Victorino, Ph.D.	Victorino
2018-2019	Emily A. Hemann, Ph.D.	Hemann
2018-2019	Jesica R. Jacobs, Ph.D.	Jacobs
2018-2019	Mallory L. Paynich, Ph.D.	Paynich
2018-2019	Stina L. Urban, Ph.D.	Urban
2018-2019	Melody Y. Zeng, Ph.D.	Zeng
2016-2017	Mufadhal Al-Kuhlani, Ph.D.	Al-Kuhlani
2016-2017	Eyal Amiel, Ph.D.	Amiel
2013-2014	Rachel Bergerson, Ph.D.	Bergerson
2014-2015	Matthew Billard, Ph.D.	Billard
2013-2014	Jennifer (Lori) Blanchfield, Ph.D.	Blanchfield
2014-2015	C. Colin Brinkman, Ph.D.	Brinkman
2015-2016	Tullia Bruno, Ph.D.	Bruno
2016-2017	Kristina Burrack, Ph.D.	Burrack
2011-2012	Judy Cannon, Ph.D.	Cannon
2012-2013	Ling Cao, M.D., Ph.D.	Cao
2011-2012	Devavani Chatterjea, Ph.D.	Chatterjea
2016-2017	Michael Constantinides, Ph.D.	Constantinides
2016-2017	Stacey Cranert, Ph.D.	Cranert
2014-2015	Ryan Cummings, Ph.D.	Cummings
2014-2015	Jonathan Deane, Ph.D.	Deane
2013-2014	Gretchen Diehl, Ph.D.	Diehl
2015-2016	Jason Gigley, Ph.D.	Gigley
2012-2013	Kory Hallett, Ph.D.	Hallett
2015-2016	Nichol Holodick, Ph.D.	Holodick
2013-2014	Katrina Hoyer, Ph.D.	Hoyer
2011-2012	Shawn Jackson, Ph.D.	Jackson
2012-2013	Stephanie James, Ph.D.	James
2011-2012	Kamal Khanna, Ph.D.	Khanna
2014-2015	Heather Kling, Ph.D.	Kling
2015-2016	David Larson, Ph.D.	Larson
2013-2014	Elizabeth Leadbetter, Ph.D.	Leadbetter
2011-2012	Linda Lieberman, Ph.D.	Lieberman
2015-2016	Nicole Perry Lieberman, Ph.D.	Lieberman
2016-2017	Jacquelyn Lykken, Ph.D.	Lykken
2015-2016	Jean Nepomuscene Manirarora, D.V.M., Ph.D.	Manirarora
2015-2016	Meghan 惭补谤谤茅, Ph.D.	惭补谤谤茅
2011-2012	Jeffrey Mills, Ph.D.	Mills
2011-2012	Amy Moran, Ph.D.	Moran
2012-2013	Joshua Obar, Ph.D.	Obar
2014-2015	Shaun O'Brien, Ph.D.	O'Brien
2014-2015	Karen O'Connell Martins, Ph.D.	O'Connell Martins
2011-2012	Anastazia Older Aguilar, Ph.D.	Older Aguilar
2012-2013	Hannah Phipps-Yonas, Ph.D.	Phipps-Yonas
2014-2015	Rebecca Pompano, Ph.D.	Pompano
2012-2013	Melanie Ragin, Ph.D.	Ragin
2014-2015	Sesquile Ramon, Ph.D.	Ramon
2016-2017	Srinika Ranasinghe, Ph.D.	Ranasinghe
2012-2013	Jillian Richmond, Ph.D.	Richmond
2012-2013	Mark Rubinstein, Ph.D.	Rubinstein
2013-2014	Surojit Sarkar, Ph.D.	Sarkar
2013-2014	Jeremy Schaefer, Ph.D.	Schaefer
2013-2014	Brian Sheridan, Ph.D.	Sheridan
2012-2013	Adam Soloff, Ph.D.	Soloff
2014-2015	Stefanie Sowinski, Ph.D.	Sowinski
2015-2016	Erica Stone, Ph.D.	Stone
2016-2017	Rachel Temple, Ph.D.	Temple
2013-2014	Tamisha Vaughan, Ph.D.	Vaughan
2015-2016	Joshua Vieth, Ph.D.	Vieth
2016-2017	Lavanya Visvabharathy, Ph.D.	Visvabharathy
2013-2014	Stephanie Watkins, Ph.D.	Watkins
2012-2013	Dina Weilhammer, Ph.D.	Weilhammer
2011-2012	Eric Weimer, Ph.D.	Weimer
2015-2016	Jessica Werner, Ph.D.	Werner
2011-2012	Caleph Wilson, Ph.D.	Wilson
2016-2017	Mary Young, Ph.D.	Young
2017-2018	Heather Marie Buechel, Ph.D.	Buechel
2017-2018	David J. Dowling, Ph.D.	Dowling
2017-2018	Mariana Guerra-Maupome, D.V.M., Ph.D.	Guerra-Maupome
2017-2018	Farrah C. Phillips, Ph.D.	Phillips
2017-2018	Rachel S. Resop, Ph.D.	Resop
2017-2018	Timothy Rosean, Ph.D.	Rosean
2017-2018	Nathaniel Schuldt, Ph.D.	Schuldt
2017-2018	Julie Swartzendruber, Ph.D.	Swartzendruber
2017-2018	Melissa M. Walker, Ph.D.	Walker
2017-2018	Spencer C. Wei, Ph.D.	Wei

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