WSU students take science advocacy to Capitol Hill

Members of the Science Policy Network-Detroit pose on the East Front Plaza of the U.S. Capitol following a full day of meetings and advocacy on Capitol Hill.

For two days this summer, Wayne State University students, faculty and staff took their commitment to science and public health from the classroom to Capitol Hill, meeting with members of Congress to advocate for federal investment in scientific research and evidence-based policymaking.

SciPol Detroit members (L-R) Megan Schrimpf, Dr. Clara Zundel, a congressional staffer and Bak Ko stand outside Rep. Haley Stevens' office on Capitol Hill beside a sign highlighting "Mass Shootings during the 119th Congress," with a counter showing 626, during a two-day visit to Washington, D.C., in July.

The Science Policy Network-Detroit delegation traveled to Washington, D.C., July 15-16 and met with representatives from eight congressional offices to discuss sustained funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Science Foundation (NSF), as well as the NIH IMPROVE Act, which focuses on improving maternal health.

For many of the participants, the trip was their first experience with federal advocacy. They spoke directly with legislators and congressional staff about the importance of scientific research, maternal health and ensuring that evidence informs public policy.

"The trip provided an opportunity to develop leadership, science communication and policy advocacy skills while representing Wayne State University and sharing the perspectives of students and early career researchers," said T'Emi Oshin, president of Science Policy Network-Detroit and an undergraduate student in biological science/nutrition. "It was inspiring to see students from a variety of disciplines confidently engage with policymakers and demonstrate how science can help inform public policy."

SciPol Detroit members (L-R) Ujala Janjua, Dr. Lana Winters, Marc McFarlane, T'Emi Oshin, Natalie Thurston and Lynessa Asplund pose with a congressional staffer outside Rep. Lisa McClain's office on Capitol Hill during a two-day visit to Washington, D.C., in July.

The delegation met with the offices of Senators Elissa Slotkin and Gary Peters and Representatives Rashida Tlaib, Lisa McClain, Haley Stevens, John Moolenaar, Hillary Scholten and Shri Thanedar.

Dr. Hilary Marusak, an associate professor in psychiatry and neuroscience, and Dr. Lana Winters, an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology and the Ben L. Silberstein Institute for Brain Health, served as faculty advisors. Their participation provided students with mentorship and guidance as they engaged with policymakers and discussed the importance of scientific research and public health.

The Wayne State contingent also included students, staff and an alumnus representing a range of disciplines, including public health, neuroscience, psychiatry, psychology, biological science and nutrition. Participants included Bak Ko, graduate student in public health; Dr. Clara Zundel, post-doctoral fellow in psychiatry; Lynessa Asplund, undergraduate in biological science/nutrition; Marc McFarlane, alumnus in public health/epidemiology; Megan Schrimpf and Natalie Thurston, staff members in psychiatry and neuroscience; and Ujala Janjua, staff member and master of public health student in psychology at the Institute for Brain Health.

The visit gave students an opportunity to see how scientific research connects to policy decisions at the national level while developing skills in leadership, science communication and advocacy.

SciPol Detroit members (L-R) a representative from Lewis-Burke Associates, Megan Schrimpf, Dr. Clara Zundel, a congressional staffer, and Bak Ko pose outside Rep. John Moolenaar's office on Capitol Hill.

For Oshin, the experience was a natural extension of her academic and professional goals. A sophomore pursuing a double major in neuroscience and public health through Wayne State's MedDirect B.S./M.D. program, she aspires to become a physician and is committed to improving health care access for underserved and vulnerable populations.

Oshin's commitment to advocacy began before college. A U.S. Presidential Scholar semifinalist and National Merit Scholar, Oshin founded the first Black Student Alliance at H.H. Dow High School, and launched Black Youth of Midland, Michigan, a community organization focused on empowering Black students and fostering belonging. Her work in racial equity earned her the 2024 Princeton Prize in Race Relations.

Oshin is a founding board member and chair of community engagement for Wayne State's chapter of the National Society of Black Women in Medicine and vice president of Science Policy Network-Detroit. She also has worked with the School of Medicine and Innovate Health Detroit on Health Together, an initiative focused on improving health care accessibility and reducing language barriers in Detroit.

Science Policy Network-Detroit advocates for science-backed public policy and provides Wayne State students with opportunities to develop their skills in science communication, leadership and policy advocacy.

The Washington trip was made possible through support from several Wayne State departments.