Adriana Bankston is an advocate for scientific research and innovation at the federal level.
For close to a decade, Adriana has worked to nurture U.S. competitiveness in science and technology through a number of roles with universities, non-profits and scientific societies. Adriana works at the intersection of scientific research, higher education and STEM workforce development with a focus on science policy to advance our nation forward through evidence-based practices and empower the next generation to get involved.
As the incoming first-ever AAAS/ASGCT Congressional Policy Fellow, Adriana will contribute to our nation’s advancement in science and technology by providing high-quality, science-based, independent guidance to federal policy makers on Capitol Hill starting fall 2024.
Previously, Adriana supported scientific research and the STEM workforce as a Principal Legislative Analyst with University of California Federal Governmental Relations, where she advocated for the university’s research priorities with Congress, the Administration and federal agencies. Prior to this role, Adriana highlighted federally funded research as a Policy & Advocacy Fellow with the Society for Neuroscience, where she provided staff support for special and on-going projects, including SfN’s annual lobby event and the society’s annual meeting.
As a Senior Fellow in Science Policy at the Federation of American Scientists, Adriana advanced policy entrepreneurship to make the work of policymakers more impactful and help realize the potential of landmark legislation by assisting the federal government in fostering innovation and U.S. competitiveness. Adriana continues to connect science and policy as a Biomedical Workforce & Policy Research Investigator with the SAi Resident Collective, and on the AAAS Section X Steering Group.
Adriana contributes to building future policy leaders as a Policy Advisor for the inaugural Science Policy and Advocacy for Research Competition (SPARC) program hosted by the Universities Research Association (URA), serving graduate students in STEM interested in science policy and culminating with in-person advocacy with Congressional staff. She was also CEO & Managing Publisher of the Journal of Science Policy & Governance, an internationally recognized, open-access peer review publication at the intersection of science, technology, innovation, public policy and governance.
Adriana’s writing in science policy and advocacy appeared in outlets such as Issues in Science & Technology, Inside Higher Ed and the Union of Concerned Scientists Blog. Additionally, Adriana gave many national and international talks and workshops on policy and advocacy, including at the AAAS ERN Conference, NASEM and UN Science Summit. Adriana worked as a consultant with Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society and other organizations.
In recognition of her work to support the U.S. scientific enterprise, Adriana received a number of honors and awards, including the inaugural ARIS Emerging Broader Impacts Leader Award, and the Top 20 in 2022 Award For Excellence in Advocacy from The Advocacy Association. Adriana earned her Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Cell and Developmental Biology from Emory University. Connect with Adriana on Twitter and LinkedIn.
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