Damien Bérubé and Swati Narasimhan named Optica Congressional Fellows
About Optica
28 May 2025
Damien Bérubé and Swati Narasimhan named Optica Congressional Fellows
Fellowships enable two students to leverage their scientific expertise to U.S. Congress and gain firsthand policymaking experience
WASHINGTON – Optica, Advancing Optics and Photonics Worldwide, and the Materials Research Society (MRS) today announced two recipients for its 2025-2026 Congressional Fellowship Program – Optica’s Arthur H. Guenther Congressional Fellowship and the MRS/Optica Congressional Science and Engineering Fellowship. Damien Bérubé and Swati Narasimhan will begin their one-year terms in Washington, D.C., in September 2025. During their fellowship, they will serve as special legislative assistants and apply their technical backgrounds to support the work of the U.S. Congress or a congressional committee.
Bérubé is awarded the Arthur H. Guenther Congressional Fellow. He is a doctoral researcher in chemical physics at Harvard University, investigating exotic materials that could power the next generation of quantum computers.
“It’s a true privilege to contribute to Congress's work and help shape the future of American innovation,” said Damien Bérubé. “This fellowship is a standout opportunity to bridge the gap between technical expertise and the inner workings of Congress - and with Optica’s support, I’m ready to make the most of every moment— to dive in, build lasting relationships and contribute to meaningful work at the intersection of innovation and impact.”
Swati Narasimhan will serve as the MRS/Optica Congressional Science and Engineering Fellow. Narasimhan is a Ph.D. candidate in Materials Science and Engineering at Stanford University, where she investigates the physics and fast-charge capabilities of lithium-ion batteries.
“I can’t wait to hit the ground running to build my policy-making chops and work alongside talented public servants,” said Swati Narasimhan. “This fellowship is an opportunity for me to learn how to translate my technical expertise to the public sector and directly serve the communities that supported me in growing into the person and scientist that I am today.”
Prior to starting their assignments, Bérubé and Narasimhan will participate in a comprehensive orientation program, facilitated by the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences, that focuses on science policy and communication. They will then interview with various U.S. Senate, House of Representatives and congressional committee offices before selecting their placement for the fellowship year.
The Congressional Fellowship program offers a unique pathway for Ph.D. scientists and engineers to contribute their expertise to federal policymaking. Optica has championed this bridge between science and policy for over two decades, supporting close to 60 fellows through its programs. Fellows gain invaluable experience by participating directly in the legislative process, which can include conducting legislative or oversight work, assisting in congressional hearings and debates, preparing policy briefs and writing speeches.
About the Fellows
Damien Bérubé is a doctoral researcher in chemical physics at Harvard University, investigating exotic materials that could power the next generation of quantum computers. These ultra-powerful machines promise transformative advances across cybersecurity, biotechnology, materials science, and chemistry. His research begins with crystalline flakes, meticulously peeled to be twenty thousand times thinner than aluminum foil, and involves probing their nonlinear optical and electronic properties. His work has already revealed a unique one-way current in a zero-resistance material (a superconducting diode), unlocking the potential for energy-efficient data centers, and brought to light several other intriguing yet-to-be-explained phenomena.
Bérubé extends his focus beyond fundamental science to tackle big-picture technology challenges. He has spearheaded projects exploring emerging technologies, innovation policy, autonomous vehicle regulation, cybersecurity, AI and data privacy in collaboration with institutions like MIT, Harvard's Kennedy School, the Belfer Center and the Massachusetts State House. Committed to community impact, he volunteers as AI Innovation Lead for HopeOneSource, applying technology to support the veteran community better.
Swati Narasimhan is a Ph.D. candidate in Materials Science and Engineering at Stanford University, where she investigates the physics of lithium-ion batteries' fast-charge capabilities. By studying how lithium transport occurs in graphite under different conditions, her work aims to reveal key mechanisms that can guide fast charge protocol design. This research has involved work at major national facilities, including SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Brookhaven National Laboratory.
Complementing her technical research, Narasimhan participates in a cross-disciplinary Stanford team analyzing the techno-economics of graphite supply chains, seeking to identify innovation pathways crucial for building competitive and secure supply networks. Her foundation includes a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Miami, focusing on stationary energy storage. Narasimhan’s broad practical experience, built through research roles and industry internships, touches on areas from mining equipment design and battery mineral demand evaluation to advanced transmission line technologies. Eager to bridge the gap between technology and policy, Swati looks forward to learning the legislative process and applying her deep technical expertise to inform future policy decisions, particularly in energy and materials science.
About the Materials Research Society
The Materials Research Society (MRS) is a global organization of over 13,000 materials researchers from academia, industry and government. MRS promotes the advancement of interdisciplinary materials research and technology to improve the quality of life. The Society serves its diverse, international membership through high-quality meetings, publications, professional development and advocacy for research and innovation. For more information, visit mrs.org and follow @Materials_MRS.
About Optica
Optica, Advancing Optics and Photonics Worldwide, is the society dedicated to promoting the generation, application, archiving and dissemination of knowledge in the field. Founded in 1916, it is the leading organization for scientists, engineers, business professionals, students and others interested in the science of light. Optica's renowned publications, meetings, online resources and in-person activities fuel discoveries, shape real-life applications and accelerate scientific, technical and educational achievement. Discover more at: Optica.org
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