GOVERNMENT NEWS
Science Policy
ASA Members Experience Capitol Hill
from the Inside
Stephen Pierson, ASA Director of Science Policy
For this month’s column, I am pleased to feature ASA members who have spent a year working on Capitol Hill or in the administration. As I
mentioned in my October column, such service is an excellent way for ASA members to have an impact on science policy. Here, Ivelisse Aviles and
James Murphy share their experiences and insights.
Ivelisse Aviles
Ivelisse Aviles spent most of 2008 in
ASA Science Policy Actions
the office of Rep. Luis Fortuño (R-PR)
on special assignment from NIST. She
The ASA signed onto Science Debate 2008,
has since returned to NIST, where she
a grassroots initiative to inject science and
is a mathematical statistician.
technology issues into presidential campaigns
and debates
The ASA signed onto a letter urging the next
How did I age a decade in less than a year? president of the United States to appoint a
I worked for a member of Congress and science advisor before taking office and to
made the most of my time on Capitol Hill.
elevate the position to a cabinet rank
For 10 months, I served as primary advisor
to Rep. Luis Fortuño (R-PR) on science, space, technology, and
The ASA submitted comments on proposed
telecommunications. I counseled him on topics as diverse as biore-
changes to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
fineries, homeland security, labor-management committees, marine
Services Public Use Files
sanctuaries, the congressionally mandated transition from analog to
digital television, and knowledge-economy opportunities.
The ASA nominated ASA members for an NSF
I came to the Hill on a special assignment as a Department
Directorate director, National Assessment
of Commerce Science and Technology (ComSci) Fellow from my
Governing Board, and FDA Science Board
position as a mathematical statistician at the National Institute of
Standards and Technology. The Hill has a fascinating and pecu-
liar culture, filled with traditions and interpersonal relationships. I
learned how to adapt in a second and communicate in a minute.
background helped me make unique connections and figure out
The importance of having a strategy was quickly learned. Just as
building blocks and implications even faster.
serving as reviewer for proposals equips the researcher with tools to
Statisticians are involved in a broad range of topics and projects.
write successful grant proposals, listening and talking to lobbyists,
We are indeed invaluable assets to those with whom we collaborate.
representatives of federal agencies, and other congressional staffers
Now, are we thinking seriously about what decisionmakers really
have clearly taught me how to talk to Congress. It is vital to leave
mean by statistics? The Hill could use many more technical people
a “strong signal.” Many people talk with “too much noise” and the
(willing to adapt). Can you envision a statistician’s role on the Hill?
message gets lost. Even a strong signal will get lost in such a noisy
How would Congress have drafted a financial rescue plan if you
environment. Keep in mind that being at the right place at the
would have been asked? Precious few statisticians are involved in
right time matters a great deal on the Hill.
policy matters. Fortuño’s chief of staff used to refer to me as the
I had the opportunity to study the implications of a block-grant
“secret weapon.” (No, I did not destroy, but was capable of explain-
formula used to allocate funding for states versus fixed amounts
ing technical implications of policy considerations.) I look forward
used for the U.S. territories (energy program). I also was able to
to sharing newly gained insights and anecdotes when we meet at
address key decisionmakers about the importance of providing
the next JSM.
a scientific foundation upon which regulation can be based at a
Being part of the Hill made me a stronger professional and a
nanotech briefing. That is, knowing how to collect and analyze
wiser American. It is amazing how transformational this type of
data and gauge uncertainty on such a small scale is fundamental to
assignment can be. Recall the movie “The Matrix” (red or blue
staying competitive in nanotechnology and implementing proper
pill)? I feel I have taken the (nonpartisan) red pill. Perhaps I aged
federal regulation. In this fast-paced environment, my statistics
10 years in 10 months, but I would definitely do it again.
DECEMBER 2008 AMSTAT NEWS 33
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