Optica MRS Congressional Fellows
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Meet Our 2026-2027 Optica/MRS Congressional Fellow
Tahiyat Rahman
Tahiyat Rahman (he/they) is a quantum researcher with a passion for science advocacy and labor justice. They completed their Ph.D. in physics at the University of Washington. During their doctoral work, Tahiyat developed a tabletop experiment for precision measurements of gravity using quantum sensors based on neutral atoms. Such experiments may shed light on open questions in fundamental physics, including the role of the equivalence principle in quantum gravity. Additionally, compact gravitational sensors have applications in navigation, geosensing, and mineral discovery.
Tahiyat has also engaged in community building and grassroots organizing through leadership in their union, UAW Local 4121. As a bargaining representative, they helped negotiate a collective bargaining agreement covering thousands of coworkers. Their contributions led to an improved contract, including advancements in immigration rights and job security. Tahiyat has also mobilized for several grassroots community efforts, such as affordable housing initiatives in Seattle. They are eager to gain a comprehensive understanding of how scientists can engage with the federal legislative process.
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Click to view past fellows
| 2025-2026 |
Swati Narasimhan
PhD candidate in Materials Science and Engineering
Stanford University
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Sen. John Hickenlooper |
| 2024-2025 |
Shriya Pai
PhD in Physics
University of Colorado Boulder
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Sen. Ed Markey |
| 2023-2024 |
Marie Fiori
PhD in Chemistry
University of Wisconsin-Madison
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Rep. Derek Kilmer |
| 2022-2023 |
Sindhu Nathan
PhD in Chemical Engineering
Stanford University
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Sen. Tina Smith |
| 2021-2022 |
Rachel Starr
PhD in Chemistry
Columbia University
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Sen. John Hickenlooper |
| 2020-2021 |
Catherine Clark
PhD in Materials Science
University of Minnesota
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Sen. Richard Durbin |
| 2019-2020 |
Daniel Broberg
PhD in Materials Science & Engineering
University of California, Berkeley
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Sen. Christopher Coons |
| 2018-2019 |
Dylan Rittman
PhD in Geological Sciences
Stanford University
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Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand |
| 2017-2018 |
Sarah Vorpahl
PhD in Chemistry
University of Washington
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Sen. Bernie Sanders |
| 2016-2017 |
Felicia Lucci
PhD in Chemistry
Tufts University
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Sen. Heidi Heitkamp |
| 2015-2016 |
Peter Winter
PhD in Cell & Molecular Biology
Colorado State University
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Sen. Christopher Coons |
| 2014-2015 |
James O’Dea
PhD in Chemistry
University of California, Santa Barbara
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Sen. Brian Schatz |
| 2013-2014 |
Sydney Kaufman
PhD in Chemical Physics
University of Colorado Boulder
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Sen. Mark Begich |
| 2012-2013 |
Mirvat Abdelhaq
PhD in Physical Chemistry
University of Colorado, Boulder
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Sen. Jeff Merkley |
| 2011-2012 |
Laura Povlich
PhD in Macromolecular Science and Engineering
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
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Rep. Sander Levin |
| 2010-2011 |
Ashley White
PhD in Materials Science
University of Cambridge
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Sen. Al Franken |
| 2009-2010 |
Gavi Begtrup
PhD in Physics
University of California, Berkeley
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Rep. Gabrielle Giffords |
| 2008-2009 |
Amit Mistry
PhD in Bioengineering
Rice University
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Rep. Edward Markey |
| 2007-2008 |
Alicia Jackson
PhD in Materials Science and Engineering
MIT
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Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee |
| 2006-2007 |
Kevin Whittlesey
PhD in Biological Sciences
Northwestern University
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Rep. Doris Matsui |
| 2005-2006 |
Benjamin Jay Gross
PhD in Physical Chemistry
Columbia University
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| 2004-2005 |
Karin Ezbiansky Pavese
PhD in Inorganic Chemistry
University of Pennsylvania
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Sen. Joseph Lieberman |
| 2003-2004 |
Colin McCormick
PhD in Physics
University of California, Berkeley
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Rep. Edward J. Markey |
| 2002-2003 |
Jeffrey H. Haeni
PhD in Materials Science
Pennsylvania State University
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Rep. Rush Holt |
| 2001-2002 |
Eric Werwa
PhD in Materials Science
MIT
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Rep. Mike Honda |
| 2000-2001 |
Susan Ginsberg
PhD in Materials Science Engineering
University of Minnesota
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Rep. Howard L. Berman |
| 1999-2000 |
Arun Seraphin
PhD in Materials Science and Engineering
MIT
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Sen. Joseph Lieberman |
| 1998-1999 |
Merrilea Mayo
PhD in Materials Science and Engineering
Stanford University
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Sen. Joseph Lieberman |
| 1997-1998 |
Brian Holloway
PhD in Materials Science
Stanford University
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Sen. John D. Rockefeller |
| 1996-1997 |
Michal I. Freedhoff
PhD in Physical Chemistry
University of Rochester
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Rep. Edward J. Markey |
| 1995-1996 |
Kelly Kirkpatrick
PhD in Materials Science and Engineering
Northwestern University
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Sen. Joseph Lieberman |
