Marc Verhougstraete starts prestigious fellowship in D.C.

Marc Verhougstraete, PhD, an associate professor of Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Arizona’s Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, is participating in the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s Science & Technology Policy Fellowships this academic year.

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Verhougstraete, director of the Rural Health Professions Program at the Arizona Center for Rural Health and co-director for the Environment, Exposure Science and Risk Assessment Center, was placed with the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy in the Water Power Technologies Office in Washington, D.C. He’ll be working to set up a new energy-water resilience program. 

Every year, the AAAS partners with branches of the U.S. government and over 30 sponsoring scientific and engineering societies to bridge science with policy to foster a network of scientist leaders who understand government policymaking.

“I’m honored to have been selected for this competitive fellowship,” Verhougstraete said. “Being an AAAS STP Fellow will provide me another opportunity to serve society while connecting my scientific skills to advance policy that generates large scale environmental health improvements.”

His work focuses on reducing exposures to waterborne contaminants and informing water and health-oriented interventions, with an emphasis on rural and vulnerable communities.

“I am delighted that Marc’s expertise is being recognized in this way," said Iman Hakim, MD, PhD, MPH, dean of the Zuckerman College of Public Health. “He has done so much important water quality research in rural communities, and he understands the value of translating research into policies that improve health for all, so this AAAS Fellowship is a great opportunity and well deserved.”

Dan Derksen, MD, director of the Center for Rural Health and associate vice president for Health Equity, Outreach and Interprofessional Activities at U of A Health Sciences, had a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Fellowship in 2007-2008 and worked closely with AAAS fellows.

“It’s a great honor and a terrific opportunity for Marc to gain skills and develop relationships that will advance his academic career and benefit the students and faculty at the University of Arizona,” he said.

Verhougstraete said he’s excited about creating new opportunities for U of A students.

“I’m also excited to see the doors this experience will open for our students,” he said. “Witnessing students get excited for topics that I am also passionate about is a driver for my career, and I want to keep opening doors for our students in a changing world. Transferring the knowledge gained during this fellowship to students will provide a more complete sense of career opportunities available to them upon graduation.”