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Arthur H. Guenther Congressional Fellowship Program

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Arthur H. Guenther Congressional Fellowship Program

The application process for 2026-27 will begin in September 2025.

Optica offers a congressional fellowship program providing members with an invaluable opportunity of public policy learning. Fellows gain a perspective that enhances their industrial, academic or government careers and the optics community's ability to more effectively communicate with the US Congress. The fellowship is an ideal way to spend an academic sabbatical or leave of absence from a company.

A Unique Opportunity The Arthur H. Guenther Congressional Fellow works in the office of a US senator or representative or with a congressional committee to get first-hand knowledge of congressional operations, contribute to the policymaking process and forge links among the engineering, scientific and public policy communities.
Term Fellowships are normally for one year, running September through August. The Guenther Fellow will join more than two dozen other scientists and engineers in early September for an intensive orientation program on the legislative and executive branches. This program is organized by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), which also provides educational and collegial programs for the fellow throughout the year. Following interviews on the Hill, fellows choose a congressional office — personal or committee staff — where they wish to serve. Fellows are expected to handle varied assignments, both technical and nontechnical.
Qualifications Applicants are evaluated on the basis of technical competence, responsible work experience, ability to serve in a public environment and evidence of service to Optica and the profession. Applicants must have a PhD or equivalent doctoral level degree by program orientation (01 September 2025); significant familiarity with optical engineering or science disciplines; a working understanding of the optical engineering and science communities; and demonstrated interest in the US public policy process. Although prior experience in public policy is not necessary, a demonstrable interest in applying science and engineering to the solution of US policy issues is required. Federal employees are not eligible. US citizenship is not required; however, applicants must be authorized to work in the US. Applicants should have excellent interpersonal and communication skills and possess the flexibility to tackle a variety of work. Specifically excluded as selection criteria are age, sex, creed, race, ethnic background and partisan political affiliation. Applicants will be evaluated based on the following categories: Scientific/technical background and professional accomplishments — weighted in consideration of the applicant's career stage. Communication skills — to scientific and nonscientific audiences, including writing ability, community involvement and outreach activities. Demonstrated public policy interest — such as through participation in policy or advocacy activities; service to professional societies and/or the broader scientific community; and student government or other campus involvement (if applicable). Fellowship skills and abilities — including (but not limited to): capacity to work quickly, flexibly and cooperatively; experience working with individuals with diverse viewpoints; ability to work in a public environment; and strong interpersonal skills.
Questions? Contact: Congressional Fellowship Program at CF@optica.org

Directly below is a list of present and past fellows, along with their congressional office placements:

2025-2026	Damien Bérubé PhD in Chemical Physics Harvard University
2023-2024	Claire Cody PhD in Chemistry Yale University	Sen. Christopher Coons
2022-2023	Clara Tibbetts PhD in Physical Chemistry Colorado State University	Rep. Paul Tonko
2021-2022	Brandon McMurtry PhD in Chemistry Columbia University	Sen. Christopher Coons
2020-2021	Michelle Solomon PhD in Materials Science & Engineering Stanford University	Sen. Edward Markey
2019-2020	Christina Willis PhD in Optics CREOL, University of Central Florida	Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management
2018-2019	Benjamin Isaacoff PhD in Applied Physics University of Michigan, Ann Arbor	Sen. Gary Peters
2017-2018	Tanya Das PhD in Electrical Engineering University of California, Santa Barbara	Sen. Christopher Coons
2016-2017	Kenneth Kort PhD in Chemistry University at Buffalo	Rep. Louise Slaughter
2015-2016	Jennifer Brookes PhD in Physical Chemistry University of Washington	Rep. Louise Slaughter
2014-2015	Ariel Marshall PhD in Physical Chemistry Georgia Institute of Technology	Sen. Jeanne Shaheen
2013-2014	Carly Robinson PhD in Atmospheric Chemistry University of Colorado	Sen. Mark Udall
2012-2013	Chris Schaffer PhD in Physics Harvard University	Rep. Edward Markey
2011-2012	Anthony "T.J." Augustine PhD in Chemistry Stanford University	Sen. Dick Durbin
2010-2011	Marcius Extavour PhD in Quantum Optics and Atomic Physics University of Toronto	Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
2009-2010	Matthew McMahon PhD in Experimental Psychology University of California, San Diego	Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation
2008-2009	Robert Saunders PhD in Physics Duke University	Rep. Rush Holt
2007-2008	Audrey Ellerbee PhD in Biomedical Engineering Duke University	Sen. Carl Levin
2006-2007	Eleanore Edson PhD in Neurobiology Harvard University	Sen. Hillary Clinton
2005-2006	Jamie Link PhD in Biochemistry Univ. of California San Diego	Sen. Joseph Lieberman
2004-2005	David Catarious PhD in Biomedical Engineering Duke University	Rep. Edward Markey
2003-2004	Elka Koehler PhD in Optical Sciences University of Arizona	Sen. Joseph Lieberman
2002-2003	Chris Beck PhD in Physics Tufts University	Rep. Loretta Sanchez
2001-2002	Kristen Kulinowski PhD in Physical Chemistry University of Rochester	Rep. Edward J. Markey
2000-2001	Apriel Hodari PhD in Optical Physics Hampton University	Rep. Cynthia McKinney
1999-2000	Barry Masters PhD in Physical Chemistry Weizmann Institute of Science	Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich

Arthur H. Guenther Congressional Fellowship Program

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Arthur H. Guenther Congressional Fellowship Program

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