Pierce is passionate for science advocacy as a fulfillment of her life-long promise to represent patients with chronic disease. She believes that to advocate for scientific progress is also to advocate for the individual patient.
Experience
Society for Neuroscience Early Career Policy Fellow
Biomedical Research Resources Association Policy Committee Co-Chair
Society for Neuroscience Day on the Hill campaign participant
Meetings with DC offices:
Senator Claire McCaskill (MO)
Senator Pat Roberts (KS)
Representative Sam Graves (MO)
Representative Kevin Yoder (KS)
Representative Lacy Clay (MO)
In-district meetings:
Senator Jerry Moran (KS)
Senator Pat Roberts (KS)
Laboratory tour:
Senator Jerry Moran (KS)
Goals:
At each of these meetings, her goal was to communicate the importance of federal investment in biomedical and scientific research, share my personal experience following the impact of sequestration, and ask for increased funding for the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation.
Pierce discusses the importance of federal investment in biomedical research with Senator Jerry Moran during a personal tour of the laboratory: April 6, 2015.
Training
As a University of Kansas Madison and Lila Self Fellow, Pierce had the opportunity to be involved in developmental programs that encourage leadership and advocacy.
As a Self Fellow, she participated in a week-long science and public policy training seminar in Washington, DC. Through interaction with nationally prominent experts, Pierce gained a broad understanding of public policy issues, advocacy, and how to communicate scientific principles to a legislative audience. She also met with Legislative Assistants for Kansas Senators Jerry Moran and Pat Roberts, and learned how to engage their offices and what information regarding science advocacy is relevant to the legislators.
Advocacy Events
As a Early Career Policy Fellow and co-chair of the Biomedical Research Resources Association Policy Committee, Pierce was in charge of organizing and delivering the following Advocacy 101 training series at the University of Kansas Medical Center. This series was open to students and trainees at the School of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health Professions.
Art of the Elevator Pitch
Analyzing how to quickly and effectively communicate scientific endeavor with legislators.
Crash Course in Federal Appropriations
Explaining the appropriations process and continuing resolutions in regard to the funding of NIH and NSF.
How to Engage a Policymaker
A panel discussion with legislative aids, senior faculty, and a state legislator aiming to instruct attendees on how to advocate for scientific investment in an effective manner.
Write-in
An event organizing a letter writing campaign to state and federal legislators to ask for increased fiscal support for scientific research.