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Commerce Secretary Gutierrez Announces Selection of 2007-2008 Commerce Science and Technology Fellows

WASHINGTON, DC —Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez today announced that 16 individuals have been selected to participate in the Commerce Science and Technology Fellowship (ComSci) Program. Open to career, senior federal employees from any government agency, ComSci is a 10-month policy study and leadership program established in 1964 and later enacted by Congress. The ComSci Program takes its participants behind the scenes of science and technology policy-making and management in the halls of the Nation's Capitol, and at the highest levels of industry and academia, and then into the field.

"With the critical and ever-expanding role that science and technology play in our nation's competitiveness, federal agencies have a responsibility to provide their scientists and technical managers with a broad understanding of the national and international context and implications of science and technology policy," said Gutierrez. "I am proud of these individuals who have been selected to participate in this prestigious program."

The 2007-2008 ComSci fellows are:

  • Ana Ivelisse Aviles, National Institute of Standards and Technology
  • Stephania K. Bolden, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
  • Elizabeth Chew, National Institute of Standards and Technology
  • Mark Eckl, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
  • Brian Hughes, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
  • Kenneth Iwanski, U.S. Air Force
  • Meka Laster, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
  • Xiang-Ning Li, National Institutes of Health
  • Steve Matula, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
  • Donna McNamara, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
  • Noll Guy, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
  • Steven Payson, Bureau of Economic Analysis
  • Nestor Ramirez, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
  • Carolyn Schmidt, National Institute of Standards and Technology
  • Ross Shonat, National Institutes of Health
  • Mehrdad Tondravi, National Institutes of Health


Through regular seminars and site visits, featuring noted subject-matter experts from government, academia and the private sector, ComSci Fellows are given the opportunity to study national and international issues relating to the development, application and management of science and technology policy. The ComSci Program includes a one-week congressional orientation and a policy study-related field trip. ComSci Fellows also may opt for a full-time, 10-month, challenging developmental work assignment in the executive or legislative branch. Additional information about the ComSci program is available at [link removed].

ComSci is managed and administered by the Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Second Contact: Dan Nelson, (202) 482-4883

Released June 14, 2007, Updated January 23, 2023