FABBS offers undergraduate internship opportunities where students can gain experience in the fields of science communication and advocacy in the nation’s capital. This summer, FABBS welcomed Ashley Hiti from the University of California, Los Angeles. We invited her to share her experience and discuss the projects she worked on at FABBS.
Can you introduce yourself and what you’re currently studying in college?
I’m Ashley Hiti, a rising senior at UCLA studying Neuroscience and Political Science. I am participating in the UCDC program this summer. I am passionate about advancing evidence based policy. In my free time, I love to listen to music and spend time with my dog, Daisy.
What interested you about FABBS and how might this align with your professional plans?
I was particularly drawn to FABBS because of its focus on the brain and behavioral sciences. Studying neuroscience, I am extremely interested in the way the brain operates and degenerates. I have found the neuroscience research that I am involved in at UCLA extremely interesting and fulfilling but I became curious about the way scientific research is situated more broadly within policy and governmental decisions, leading me to pursue a science policy internship with FABBS this summer. Learning more about the way that advancements in the brain and behavioral sciences are funded and implemented in the government is directly aligned with my professional goals of advocating for evidence based policy.
What have you been working on during your time with FABBS?
This summer I had the amazing opportunity to learn about the many processes driving and underlying science policy and advocacy in the brain and behavioral sciences. Through my attendance at various events and briefings, conversations with experts, and tracking of certain budget decisions and bills, I now have a much deeper understanding of all that goes into policymaking at the national level. I also developed my writing, research, and communication skills by helping edit and write articles for the newsletters, assisting in drafting a response to a request for information regarding an update to the National Institute of Mental Health’s strategic plan, and disseminating relevant information through social media platforms. Overall, I have had a very fulfilling and rewarding experience this summer at FABBS and honed numerous skills which will positively contribute to my professional future.
What are your plans post-graduation?
After graduating I hope to attend law school. Eventually, I would like to pursue additional schooling in Neuroscience and integrate that knowledge into a career advocating for science based policy.
