Pascarella Awarded Fellowship in Washington D.C.

Valdosta State University's Dr. John B. Pascarella, associate professor in the Biology Department, has been awarded an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and Technology Policy Fellowship for the 2005-2006 academic year. The fellowship is effective September 1.

Dr. Pascarella will be in the nation's capitol at the National Science Foundation. While there he will study programs and policies related to workforce diversity, which is designed to encourage members of minority groups to enter science and engineering fields.

"This is a unique opportunity to influence national science policy on an issue that has particular relevance to VSU," Pascarella said.

According to the AAAS website, the fellowship will help establish and nurture critical links between federal decision-makers and scientific professionals to support public policy that benefit the well-being of the nation and the planet.

The National Science Foundation is the principal federal agency that sponsors scientific research and education and the American Association for the Advancement of Science is the world's largest general science association.