FABBS Scientists Meet with Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA)

September 11, 2019

On Wednesday, August 28, FABBS scientists had the honor of meeting with Representative Katherine Clark (D-MA) in her district office in Malden, MA. Rep. Clark serves on the House Appropriations Committee and on the subcommittee with jurisdiction over the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Institute of Education Sciences. Rep. Clark is a strong champion for NIH, with a particular interest in behavioral science.

FABBS immediate past-president Jeremy Wolfe, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School was joined by Randall Buckner, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School; Kate McLaughlin, Harvard University and the Director of the Stress and Development Lab; and Charles A. Nelson III, Harvard Medical School and Graduate School of Education. These scientists represent several FABBS societies, including the American Psychological Association, the Psychonomics Society, and the Society for Research in Child Development.

Dr. Wolfe shared, “It was a pleasure to meet with Rep. Clark and to have a conversation with a member of Congress who gets our sciences and shares our interests. I was particular impressed by her interests in how basic behavioral and brain science could improve early interventions against the effects of early trauma or Alzheimer’s in later years.”

The scientists enjoyed the opportunity to thank Representative Clark for her support of NIH and share findings from their NIH-funded work focusing as it relates to some of her legislative priorities including, impact of trauma in childhood, prevention and treatment of substance abuse (especially for youth), mental health, and Alzheimer’s.