Sabrina Westgate, PhD Candidate at Georgia Tech, Seeking Position in Science Policy/Science Communication or Related

SABRINA WESTGATE, Georgia Institute of Technology

     Abstract Number: 673
     Working Group: Meet the Job Seekers

Abstract
Throughout my PhD, my research has focused on evaluating and providing new insights into indoor air quality, particularly in university classroom settings. In my research, I have worked with cutting edge instrumentation (including mass spectrometers like the Vocus Proton-Transfer-Reactor Mass-Spectrometer), low-cost sensors, and machine learning. Obtaining funding as a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow, I had the unique opportunity to develop and personally carry out multiple projects. Leading a diverse team of 5 to 10 undergraduate and graduate students on these projects, I honed my project management, leadership, and mentorship skills. Moreover, by collaborating with both peers and university leaders, I actively engaged my school community in discussions about indoor air quality and directly advised my university’s administration on room usage policies and protocols during the Covid pandemic. Influenced in part by these discussions, I am passionate about the intersection of science and policy. I hold a graduate certificate in public policy, and I worked for 6 months as a science diplomacy fellow with the Science and Innovation Network at the UK Consulate in Chicago, where I co-authored a report on US STEM workforce development policy. I will finish my PhD in Chemical Engineering this November 2024. Post-graduation I am looking to work in a people-focused position that allows me to draw upon my multifaceted background. I am open to exploring a variety of positions, including but not limited to project management, science communication, and environmental or science policy. I look forward to exploring opportunities that align with my interests and expertise.