Adriana Bankston

Washington, D.C., United States

Advocate for federal scientific research and innovation. Congressional Policy Fellow in U.S. House of Representatives. Views my own. https://t.co/89poh1eILa

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Articles

Accelerating Innovation From Lab to Market

3 weeks ago | insidehighered.com | Adriana Bankston |Michael W. Nestor

June 02, 2025 The U.S. needs a refreshed university commercialization framework that empowers early-career scientists, write Adriana Bankston and Michael W. Nestor. You have /5 articles left. Sign up for a free account or log in. emojoez/iStock/Getty Images Plus American universities are dynamic engines of deep technological innovation (deep tech), responding to a growing demand for STEM research innovations that can reach the market quickly and at scale.
NSF is Pivotal to Scientific Innovation and STEM Talent Development

1 month ago | abankston.substack.com | Adriana Bankston

On the 75th Anniversary of the National Science Foundation (NSF), I want to reflect on the many benefits that this agency has brought to innovation in this country, and the many talented STEM trainees supported by NSF funds over the years. First a bit of history is in order: Vannevar Bush, an American engineer, throughout his career emphasized the importance of scientific research to national security and economic well-being.
Science Under Threat in the United States: Campaigning for science and scientists

Mar 27, 2025 | elifesciences.org | Adriana Bankston

Main text Since President Trump took office, we have seen a complete disregard for science and technology. The new administration’s attacks on science will severely harm our nation’s competitiveness and gravely weaken and diminish its scientific workforce, with researchers from underrepresented groups being particularly at risk.
Diversity in STEM is Critical for the U.S. Research Enterprise

Jan 25, 2025 | abankston.substack.com | Adriana Bankston

A few years ago, then-President Joe Biden signed the CHIPS and Science Act that mandated a National Science Foundation (NSF) diversity office. Although this was a Congressional mandate, it is now shut down as part of President Trump’s sweeping efforts to eliminate DEI offices in the federal government. This development not only impacts NSF, an agency that seeks to develop a diverse, skilled, and well-informed workforce that can drive innovation and economic growth.
Introducing Adriana's Substack

Jan 18, 2025 | abankston.substack.com | Adriana Bankston

Welcome to my first post! Excited to be here to share thoughts, findings, ideas and models for improving scientific research, to promote important work in this space, and to learn from others on the platform interested in similar topics. Connect here. I am a former bench scientist who transitioned into policy and advocacy to support an improved scientific research enterprise through a number of roles with universities, non-profits and scientific societies.
Immigrant Graduate Students and Postdocs Enhance U.S. Research and Innovation

Jun 27, 2024 | medium.com | Adriana Bankston

The U.S. research enterprise is dependent upon the best and brightest STEM talent contributing to scientific innovation, the American economy and national security. Our country's leadership in science and technology requires both domestic STEM talent development, and attracting and retaining foreign-born scientists within our nation's leading universities. Foreign-born immigrant scientists are a critical part of developing and advancing U.S. research and innovation in science and technology.
How Scientists Can Enhance Scientific Research Through Legislative Change in the CHIPS and Science Act

May 8, 2024 | medium.com | Adriana Bankston

Adriana Bankston·FollowPublished inSciTech Forefront·5 min read·May 8, 2024--Biden signs CHIPS and Science Act into law to boost U.S. chips and compete with ChinaI’m a researcher with a PhD in Biochemistry, Cell and Developmental Biology from Emory University. However, I didn’t go on to work in the private sector or academia. Instead, I transitioned into a policy career focused on scientific research and STEM pipeline issues.
What academics can learn about careers from Michael Phelps (opinion)

Apr 22, 2024 | insidehighered.com | Adriana Bankston

Navigating transitions can be both exciting and challenging, at whatever stage you are in your career, as they require you to leave your comfort zone and take a road less traveled. That has certainly been the case for me. In the last several years, I’ve had many different types of roles that have posed challenges I didn’t think I was ready for or would be able to tackle. And they have all provided fantastic opportunities for professional development.
The need for government support of grad students and postdocs (opinion)

Nov 27, 2023 | insidehighered.com | Adriana Bankston

You have /5 articles left. Sign up for a free account or log in. Scientists bring important expertise and contributions to government decision-making by engaging with legislative staff and making their voices heard in Congress in relation to important legislation. That has especially been the case in the CHIPS and Science Act, which National Science Foundation Director Sethuraman Panchanathan has called the most important U.S. science and engineering legislation in a generation.
Stoddard changes mentoring practices in academia

Nov 8, 2023 | asbmb.org | Adriana Bankston

Shana Stoddard says her goals are to “train people to be mentors,” to change the way people in academia think about mentoring, to connect students with role models and to help all students feel like they belong. To achieve these goals, she has developed toolkits — frameworks and strategies, essentially — to help academics become engaging mentors.