New members bring deep expertise across STEM education, public health, science policy, journalism, and community engagement
Engineers & Scientists Acting Locally (ESAL) is expanding its board with four leaders who exemplify what civic-minded STEM leadership looks like in action. Darin Gray, EdD, Julia Biggins, PhD, Meredith Drosback, PhD, and Nilesh Kalyanaraman, MD, FACP, bring a wide range of experience spanning STEM education, infectious disease and biodefense, science policy and communication, and public health and community leadership.
“Our board continues to grow in a way that reflects the depth of civic commitment that defines ESAL,” said Arti Garg, PhD, founder and chair of ESAL. “Darin, Julia, Meredith, and Nilesh each bring a powerful combination of technical knowledge and real-world experience working with communities and decision-makers. We are thrilled to welcome them and excited for the insight, leadership, and energy they will bring to our work.”
Julia Biggins, PhD, is an infectious disease scientist with over 15 years of experience developing medical countermeasures across government and industry. A former AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow at the U.S. Department of Defense, she currently serves as a lead biotechnologist at the MITRE Corporation and is active in volunteer leadership in Northern Virginia.
“Our communities deserve evidence-based, data-driven policy decisions,” Biggins said. “I’m excited to work with ESAL to help make that possible.”
Meredith Drosback, PhD, is an independent consultant and nonprofit leader with a background in science policy and communication. She previously served as deputy director for science at SciLine (AAAS), held senior roles at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and was a congressional fellow with the U.S. Senate.
“ESAL creates clear, welcoming pathways for scientists and engineers to engage locally,” Drosback said. “I’m excited to help turn skills into service.”
Darin Gray, EdD, is director of the USC Viterbi K-12 STEM Center, where he leads STEM outreach, partnerships, and data-driven program analysis, and teaches engineering and cybersecurity. He also directs the USC MESA University Program and CS@SC Coding Camps, serves on national STEM education advisory boards, and is a SciStarter Citizen Science Ambassador.
“Joining the ESAL Board allows me to collaborate with other STEM professionals to create new pathways for community engagement,” Gray said.
Nilesh Kalyanaraman, MD, is a primary care physician and healthcare executive who has led public health initiatives at the county and state levels, most recently serving as Maryland’s deputy secretary of public health and state health officer. For his county, he also led COVID response, established a county wide gun violence intervention team, and a community led health outreach team and strategy to address health disparities.
“I joined ESAL to support scientists in bringing their expertise into the public space,” Kalyanaraman said.
ESAL continues to expand its board’s capacity to guide national efforts that strengthen civic engagement among scientists and engineers and improve local decision-making through evidence-based approaches.Read more about our board’s history and directors on our website.
