Two UW–Madison graduate students have been selected by the Graduate School to take part in the Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering (CASE) workshop, held April 12–15 in Washington, D.C. The national program brings graduate students together with leaders in science policy and advocacy to explore how scientific research informs federal decision-making.
Organized by a coalition of scientific organizations, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the CASE workshop provides participants with an introduction to the policymaking process and the role scientists can play in shaping public policy. Through this experience, students gain skills and perspectives that prepare them to advocate for basic research throughout their careers.
The two graduate students selected to attend the 2026 CASE workshop are:
Addison Konlan
PhD student, Nutrition and Metabolism
Addison Konlan is a second-year PhD student in nutrition and metabolism studying the health-promoting properties of hazelnuts and how food processing affects nutrient quality and stability. His research aims to improve food quality, promote sustainable food systems, and better understand how diet affects human health. Before starting his PhD, Addison earned his bachelor of science degree in Food Science and Technology from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana, where his early exposure to diverse nutrition-related health challenges shaped his interest in nutrition, agriculture, and public health.
Outside of the lab, Addison is deeply interested in science policy and how research can inform real-world decisions. He is particularly passionate about improving how nutritional science is communicated to policymakers and the public. He currently serves as a student representative for the Global Nutrition Council of the American Society for Nutrition, where he contributes to initiatives that connect science with policy and public impact. In his free time, Addison enjoys mentoring young leaders, creating educational and leadership content, exploring new ideas in entrepreneurship, and spending time in community and faith-based activities. As a student representing UW–Madison at the AAAS CASE Workshop, he is eager to gain practical advocacy skills, understand how federal research funding priorities are set, and learn how to effectively communicate scientific value to policymakers and broader audiences.
Yadwinder Kaur
PhD student, Genetics
Yadwinder Kaur is a third-year Genetics PhD student in Dr. Melissa Harrison’s lab. Her research focuses on how epigenetic mechanisms shape development and contribute to diseases such as pediatric brain cancer. She earned her bachelor of science degree in biochemistry from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she became interested in the interplay between the environment and epigenetics. Outside of research, her hobbies include traveling, exploring new cities, hiking, scrapbooking, and thrifting.
As a graduate student her goal is to improve science communication and reach a wide range of audiences. She is currently a science policy fellow in the STEM Public Service Fellows Program offered through WISCIENCE. She is working with Clean Wisconsin to address whether exposure to agricultural chemicals affects brain cancer risk to guide advocacy efforts. She is also involved in numerous policy and outreach initiatives on campus and is eager to explore how scientists shape policy decisions.