Maddie (she/her) is ESPA's President. She is a third-year Ph.D. student in the Chemistry Department with research focusing on the development of new biocatalytic transformations using PLP-dependent enzymes. Maddie is passionate about bridging the gap between scientists and government officials to bring about change in a more effective and efficient manner. In her free time, Maddie enjoys reading, hanging out with her friends, and spoiling her cat Archer (yes, named after the Taylor Swift song). 

Anya is ESPA's Vice President. She is a second-year Chemistry PhD student studying how Arctic gas-phase chemical cycles have been impacted by the extensive oil and gas production in the region. Anya is passionate about making scientific findings more accessible to the public and opening avenues of communication between policy makers and the scientific community. Outside of work, Anya enjoys traveling, being outdoors, reading, and writing.  

Eleanor (she/her) is ESPA's Secretary and Social Media Coordinator. She is a second-year Ph.D. student in the Computer Science and Engineering Division. She is primarily interested in natural language processing (NLP), with a particular interest in both applying NLP to understand how multilingual people communicate, as well as building technologies that better serve multilinguals. Eleanor is passionate about journalism, creative writing, and science communication. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, playing the piano and violin, and taking long walks.

Maddie (she/her) is ESPA’s Treasurer. She is a 4th year Ph.D. candidate in the Chemistry Department. Her research focuses on identifying and quantifying atmospheric microplastics in Michigan. Maddie’s research with community partners around the state fuels her interest in policy to address environmental justice concerns. Outside of the lab, Maddie enjoys reading, crafting, and camping.  

Ava is a second-year MPH candidate in Molecular Epidemiology. She is ESPA's Policy Chair. Ava received her BS in Public Health from the University of Michigan, with a minor in Gender and Health. Previously, Ava interned for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and SafeHouse Center. She has also served as a Sexual Health and Education Program Assistant for Wolverine Wellness, a Research Fellow at the Student Opportunities for AIDS/HIV Research (SOAR) Program, and an Editor and Columnist at The Michigan Daily.

Emily (she/her) is ESPA’s Public Engagement Chair. She is a fourth-year Ph.D. student in the Chemistry Department. Her research focuses on characterizing individual aerosol particles based on their morphology and elemental composition.  Emily is interested in working at the intersection of science and policy, and is passionate about making scientific ideas more accessible to the public. Outside of the lab, she enjoys cooking, baking, and spending time outdoors.

Josh is ESPA's Government Engagement Chair. He is a fourth-year chemistry Ph.D. student in the Sanford Lab. He studies palladium and sulfur catalysis and looks at organometallic intermediates to study reaction profiles. He is interested in connecting scientists with the government to better enact change within society. Outside of lab, he enjoys music, reading, and exercising.