femalehen Carlo Quintanilla Beginning graduate school at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, he devoted his research to exploring the world of special proteins and how they regulate lipid metabolism. But he soon found himself at a crossroads that many people frequent. What did you want to do after graduating from graduate school? He knew that science policy could be a career choice, but that it did not necessarily include it. “I had a general idea of what it could mean,” Quintanilla said. He decided to explore this field further by joining his university’s student council, which set the stage for his transition into the world of science policy.
Scientific water policy test
During her third year of graduate school, Quintanilla became president of the university’s graduate organization, a position she held for two years. In this role, he learned about and worked on policies affecting student life and research training, such as adjusting student allowances for living expenses and coordinating resources for scientific writing. He said the experience helped him practice problem analysis and develop creative solutions using available data to solve problems. “That’s when I really started thinking about science policy,” he said.
Carlo Quintanilla studies the impact of policies that affect NICHHD-funded research and scientists.
Carlo Quintanilla
Quintanilla’s involvement in student government helped demonstrate to others his interest in policy work. After completing his doctorate, he applied for the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science and Technology Policy Fellowship and was selected as a fellow in 2021. As part of the program, Quintanilla worked in the Department of Neuroscience Communication and Engagement at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
But he explained that the position requires more communications work than policy work. “I really wanted to do that science policy again, or get to a point where I could actually do it,” he said.
As his fellowship ended, Quintanilla spoke with current and former fellows about preparing cover letters and resumes for government positions. He applied for a science policy position at USAJOBS, which posts a variety of roles in the federal government. Although he didn’t get the original position he wanted, his application was open to other departments, including the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHHD), which offered him a job as a health science policy analyst. “[It’s] It was exactly what I wanted to do,” said Quintanilla, who accepted the position with enthusiasm.
Advancing scientific research through policy
As a policy analyst at NICHHD, Quintanilla studies specific policies for funding projects and how their changes benefit scientists or research in specific fields. This may include tracking a scientist’s career progression, application rates in a scientific field, and number of funded projects. “There are a lot of things that sometimes seem to be behind the scenes that people can’t see, but which end up having a lot of impact on how science is structured, how it’s funded and even how it’s perceived,” he explained.
But he added that to interpret these effects, it is important to understand the broader context of the policy. “We need to think about the policies that shaped the scientific environment and why those policies were developed in the first place,” Quintanilla said. This includes considering who developed the policy and for whom it was developed, so that indicators can be seen for that population before and after the policy is implemented. He explained that understanding this history can help determine whether policies are still effective.
NICHHD’s program officers, leaders of other agencies, and even members of Congress submit requests for these analyzes to inform decisions such as whether to implement new policies or adjust future funding allocations. By examining whether previous or existing policies with similar goals have been successful in the past, he can help colleagues and other public officials make informed decisions or demonstrate how well funded programs are performing.
One example, he said, is the ongoing goals of the National Institutes of Health. early career investigator. Many research institutes have implemented initiatives to achieve this, such as prioritizing funding applications from early career researchers or creating separate categories and grants for these individuals. “I’m looking to see if they’re actually working and seeing more support for this population,” Quintanilla said.
Applying research skills outside the lab
For trainees looking to enter the policy field, Quintanilla recommended being open to learning. “Sometimes when you switch to a different field, it feels like you’re starting over and you’ve gained all this experience that you might not be able to use right away,” he said.
Although he is not researching the same topics as he did in graduate school, he said he is still asking questions, analyzing and summarizing data, and staying abreast of the latest research trends. Now he sees his role as taking a broader perspective on research. “It’s like the science of science,” he added.
Quintanilla said that in addition to analytical skills, the ability to weave results into a narrative that people can understand is also important. “Your data may be good and clear and may actually indicate some change,” he said. “But to have a real impact, you have to be able to communicate it to the right people.”
Quintanilla said connecting and building a community with people working in science policy can help you find resources and prepare for a fellowship or career. He recommends: National Science Policy Network He is one such resource, but encouraged trainees to get involved in any way possible. “Talk to others with similar interests. Even if you’re not sure what science policy or science advocacy means, just explore.
Quintanilla also said that since his position as an analyst is just one example of science policy, talking to others can help individuals learn more about options for doing science policy. “If you see someone on LinkedIn and think their job is cool, send them a letter,” he said. These conversations not only help individuals learn what the career entails and how to prepare for it, but they also help build a network of trainees.
