Contact: Phil Hearn
Kori Brabham
A Mississippi State biomedical engineering graduate student will intern with the National Academies in Washington, D.C., next semester in a program designed to smooth the transition from academia to professional life.
Kori V. Brabham of McComb, a 25-year-old master's degree student in the university's department of agricultural and biological engineering, will perform the internship Jan. 12-April 2. She also will be eligible for a four-week extension to the work period.
"I am very excited about this opportunity and look forward to better understanding the important collaboration of science and technology, and the impact of policy on society," said Brabham, the daughter of Anna Maddox of McComb and Joe Brabham of LaPlace, La.
The Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Internship Program of the National Academies is designed to engage graduate science, engineering, medical, veterinary, business and law students in the analysis and creation of science and technology policy, and to familiarize them with the interactions of science, technology and government.
As a result, National Academies officials say students have the opportunity to develop essential skills different from those attained in academia and make the transition from being a graduate student to a professional.
"This is a highly competitive program with only a 10 percent selection rate," said Jerry Gilbert, MSU agricultural and biological engineering department head. "Kori, who is researching tissue engineering of cartilage under the direction of Steve Elder, will be working with the Institute for Laboratory Animal Research."
William Person, MSU's interim director of graduate studies, said he was "very proud" of Brabham, who serves as president of the Graduate Student Association. "She is doing an outstanding job as GSA president this year," he said.
The National Academies consist of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine and National Research Council. Together, the four organizations serve as advisers to the nation on science, engineering and medicine.
During their internship, student participants engage in studies and activities throughout the National Academies that help them gain a better understanding of the fundamentals of science and technology policy analysis. Assigned to senior academies staff members, interns take field trips to a variety of Washington-based organizations and have an opportunity to design, develop and implement individual seminar series on controversial science and technology policy issues.
"I feel this internship will give me invaluable insight into the career options available to me and will guide me in making a more informed decision about my career in the sciences," said Brabham. "I anticipate experiencing first-hand the influence of the National Academies."
Added Gilbert: "This is a great positive reflection on Mississippi State and our graduate program."