The American Chemical Society, the world’s largest scientific society, has named Carl Picconatto, of Stevens Point, Wisc., a congressional fellow.
Picconatto will spend a year in the office of Rep. Connie Morella (R-MD), a member of the House Science Committee, working on science and technology issues, including stem cell research, human cloning, and cyber-security. His fellowship began in September 2001 and ends in September 2002.
Prior to his fellowship, Picconatto was an intern at the National Academy of Sciences where he organized and developed a planning workshop for an Academy study on state funding of basic research and assisted with projects on postdoctoral issues, government reporting requirements and math and science education.
Picconatto received his Ph.D. in chemistry from Columbia University — where he also earned his M.A. and M.Phil. — in 2000. In addition to his academic responsibilities, he served as the assistant coach of the Columbia University Ice Hockey Team.
Picconatto received his B.S. in chemistry from the University of Notre Dame in 1993.
The ACS Congressional Fellowship Program, now in its 26th year, provides chemists and chemical engineers the opportunity to work in the office of a U.S. senator, congressman or on a congressional committee. They provide scientific and technical expertise to legislators and gain firsthand knowledge of the legislative and executive branches of the federal government.