WASHINGTON, D.C. – We are pleased to welcome Dr. Natasha Dacic to the Universities Research Association as our first American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Pathways to Policy Fellow. The AAAS Pathways to Policy Fellowship provides experts the opportunity to serve in yearlong assignments, utilizing their expertise to ensure scientific evidence influences policymaking outside of the federal government. As a non-profit serving as a conduit between national research facilities and academia, URA works at the intersection of scientific discovery and science policy and is excited to pioneer support for AAAS and Dr. Dacic in this new fellowship program.
Dr. Dacic earned her Ph.D. in Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering from the University of Michigan, where her doctoral work focused on characterizing greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural soil, policies addressing agricultural emissions, and the frameworks needed to foster engagement between academia and community partners. Prior to joining URA, Dr. Dacic was a AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow working in the office of U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico. There, she covered issues pertaining to the environment, climate, water, and agriculture.
“We’re at a pivotal moment in U.S. history that underscores the importance of science communication and connecting with diverse audiences. I look forward to leveraging my expertise in science, policy, and communication to help bridge the gap between these fields and strengthen community engagement through the nonprofit sector,” said Dr. Dacic.
“We are absolutely delighted to welcome Natasha to URA,” said URA President Dr. John Mester. “Natasha is an outstanding scientist and policy advocate who combines experience in cutting edge research with service on Capitol Hill. She will leverage the work we are doing at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory to help scientists get connected and share their research in accessible ways.”
Dr. Dacic holds a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, a graduate certificate of science, technology, and public policy from the University of Michigan, and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics-physics and environmental studies from The College of Idaho.
ABOUT URA
Universities Research Association (URA) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) consortium composed of over 90 premier research universities across the United States, United Kingdom, and Italy headquartered in Washington, D.C. As a parent company in the management and operation of Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory; a member of Honeywell’s National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia for the management and operation of Sandia National Laboratories; and a steward of the National Science Foundation for the nation’s participation in the Pierre Auger Cosmic Ray Observatory in Argentina, our mission is to augment the exchange of scientific expertise between universities & national labs, to accelerate U.S. discovery and innovation.