Second cohort of Science Policy Fellows will serve in key advisory roles in New York State Government
Two-year fellowship program is supported by the Simons Foundation and Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and run by the Rockefeller Institute of Government
ALBANY, NY — The Rockefeller Institute of Government is pleased to announce six new fellows as part of the second cohort of the New York State Science Policy Fellowship. The fellows, who are placed in executive agencies and with the New York State Legislature, will bring their technical and scientific expertise to policymakers while developing hands-on experience in state government.
The NYS Science Policy Fellowship (SPF) fosters deeper collaboration between government and academia. Supported by a $5 million grant from the Simons Foundation and a $500,000 grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the fellowship is similar to other science policy fellowships across the country, including most prominently the program hosted by the California Council on Science and Technology, now in its 16th year.
“This is a critical time for scientists and policymakers to come together to advance ideas and solutions based in strong scientific evidence,” said Rockefeller Institute President Bob Megna. “The Science Policy Fellowship, generously supported by the Simons Foundation and the Moore Foundation, aims to do just that. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve as a bridge between these two communities and support the ongoing work of advancing evidence-based policy.”
“The Simons Foundation is very pleased that the second cohort of New York State Science Policy Fellows will begin their fellowship placements this month,” said David Spergel, president of the Simons Foundation. “The incoming cohort of fellows will bring valuable science expertise to the state government and gain beneficial policymaking experience during the two-year program. Congratulations to this highly talented group and to the Rockefeller Institute of Government in continuing to develop this initiative as a useful resource for state leaders.”
The six fellows were chosen from among more than 70 applicants from around the world with expertise in various science and technology topics. The fellows and their placements are:
- Jose Antunes, PhD in environmental science from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, will work at the New York State Senate Majority Counsel & Program;
- Ashmita Das, PhD in environmental science from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF), will work in Food Systems & Resiliency at the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets;
- Maggie DeLessio, PhD in Earth and environmental sciences from Columbia University will work in the New York State Attorney General’s Office, Environmental Protection Bureau;
- Samantha Doonan, PhD in population health from the New York University Grossman School of Medicine, will work at the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS);
- Tim Morris, PhD in conservation biology from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF), will work at the New York State Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation; and
- (Khandker) Sadia Rahman, PhD in computer science at the University at Albany, SUNY, will work with the New York State Assembly Ways & Means Committee.
Biographies for the fellows can be found on the 2025-27 New York State Science Policy Fellows webpage.
“I am thrilled to see the range of policy areas that the incoming cohort of fellows will be able to support for New York decision makers and, as a result, for the citizens in the state,” said Jon Kaye, program director at the Moore Foundation. “This program is a critical part of a growing national network of state government science and technology policy fellowships. Others will look to New York as an exemplar of how they too may strengthen ties between decision makers and the scientific community.”
The two-year fellowship began on August 1 with a multi-week networking and orientation organized by the Institute. The fellows attended the National Conference of State Legislatures’ four-day annual summit in Boston, Massachusetts, the nation’s largest gathering of legislators and legislative staff. The fellows also participated in an intensive, four-day policy training orientation, learning about New York State’s processes, policies, budget, and more.
Over the course of their first year in the fellowship, fellows will return to the Rockefeller Institute for monthly educational meetings with guest speakers from across New York State government. These sessions will focus on the mechanics of state government and the intersection of science and policy. During their second year, fellows will be paired with a mentor in their field and work on a year-long capstone project.
A third cohort of scientific experts (i.e., the 2026-2028 cohort) will begin in August 2026. The application window for the 2026-28 NYS Science Policy Fellowship is anticipated to open in October of this year.
About the Rockefeller Institute of Government
The Rockefeller Institute of Government is the public policy research arm of the State University of New York. The Institute conducts cutting-edge research and analysis to inform lasting solutions to the problems facing New York State and the nation.
rockinst.org | @RockefellerInst
About the Simons Foundation
The Simons Foundation is a private foundation in New York City whose mission is to advance the frontiers of research in mathematics and the basic sciences. Founded in 1994 by Jim and Marilyn Simons, the foundation supports transformative science through grantmaking, in-house research and public engagement. The Simons Foundation provides grants in autism science and neuroscience; life sciences; mathematics and physical sciences; and science, society and culture. The foundation’s in-house research division, the Flatiron Institute, develops and deploys computational methods to advance basic scientific research.
About the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
Gordon and Betty Moore established the foundation to create positive outcomes for future generations. In pursuit of that vision, we advance scientific discovery, environmental conservation, and the special character of the San Francisco Bay Area.