Howard Garrison Advocacy Fellow

Anika Zaman

Anika Zaman is a postdoctoral associate at the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

Describe your interest in participating in the Howard Garrison Advocacy Fellowship.
Zaman: I want to ensure that evidence-based policy, strong federal research funding, and effective science communication remain priorities at the national level. As a recent doctoral graduate in Pharmacology with a research focus on infectious disease and novel immunotherapies, I am deeply invested in the intersection of science, policy, and public engagement.

My doctoral research examined host-pathogen interactions and explored immunotherapeutic strategies to enhance treatment of infectious diseases, an area I continue to investigate in my postdoctoral work. These experiences have underscored the urgent need for science to inform health policy, particularly as we confront global threats such as pandemics and antimicrobial resistance. At the same time, I’ve seen how vulnerable research efforts can be to shifting political priorities, funding uncertainties, and public misunderstanding.

Before graduate school, I worked in science museums where I developed programs to translate complex scientific concepts for diverse public audiences. That experience taught me to listen, connect, and inspire curiosity. I now see these skills as crucial in effective advocacy. Scientists have a responsibility to engage beyond the bench, and my background in both research and communication equips me to do that with authenticity and impact.

The Howard Garrison Advocacy Fellowship offers a unique opportunity to complement my scientific expertise with hands-on experience in policy and legislative engagement. I want to learn how to work effectively with Congress, federal agencies, and advocacy groups to amplify the voice of the biomedical research community. Ultimately, I aim to build a career that bridges science and policy —promoting support for research, equitable access to innovation, and public trust in the scientific enterprise.

How do you plan to use the knowledge and experience gained through your participation in the Howard Garrison Advocacy Fellowship?
Zaman: I plan to use the knowledge and experience gained through the Howard Garrison Advocacy Fellowship to pursue a career in science policy at a federal agency such as NIH or CDC. These agencies play a critical role in shaping national research priorities and public health strategies, and I want to contribute by bringing both scientific expertise and strong advocacy skills to the table.

This program will help me develop the tools to communicate research needs clearly to policymakers, understand the legislative processes that impact federal science funding, and engage stakeholders in support of evidence-based decision-making. I want to leverage these skills to help shape programs that support infectious disease research, advance immunotherapy innovation, and promote equitable access to healthcare resources.

In the long term, I aim to serve in a policy or program officer role where I can influence how research is funded, translated, and communicated to the public. I also want to support initiatives that strengthen trust in science and improve public engagement with federal health efforts.

The Howard Garrison Advocacy Fellowship will serve as a foundation for this work by equipping me to be a more effective advocate within and on behalf of the scientific community at the federal level. 

Using no more than 250 words, describe your research as you would to a non-scientist.
Zaman: My research focuses on how the immune system responds to bacterial infections and how we can improve that response to help people recover faster and more effectively. I study a specific protein that acts as a “brake” on the immune system, keeping it from overreacting. While this kind of control is usually helpful, my research has found that during certain bacterial infections, this protein can actually hold the immune system back too much.

In lab studies using mice, we’ve seen that when this protein is missing, by essentially “deleting” it genetically, the immune system responds more effectively, leading to better survival and fewer bacteria in the body. This tells us that in some cases, turning off this immune “brake” could help fight infection more efficiently. Now, I’m working on developing drugs that can temporarily block this protein during infection. The idea is to give the immune system a boost when it needs it most. These drugs wouldn’t replace antibiotics, but they could work alongside them, which is especially important as more bacteria become resistant to antibiotics, a growing global concern known as antimicrobial resistance (AMR). By helping the body’s natural defenses work better, we hope to reduce dependence on antibiotics, improve treatment outcomes, and offer new options for fighting tough bacterial infections.

Briefly describe any past or present participation in additional career exploration activities, experiences, and/or programs.
Zaman: During my doctoral studies, I actively pursued opportunities to explore science communication and careers beyond academia. I completed science communication training through the Alan Alda Center and the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB), later returning to ASBMB as an instructor to help train other scientists in effective communication.

I also organized and moderated FACES (Facilitating Awareness: Career Exploration in Science), a networking event designed to highlight and connect graduate students with professionals in diverse scientific careers outside academia. This experience deepened my interest in career development and broadened my understanding of the many paths available to doctoral scientists. Additionally, I was a writer and presenter for SciComm Society, a student-run departmental science blog that aimed to make ongoing research accessible to the public. Through this role, I honed my ability to translate complex scientific topics for general audiences and helped foster a culture of science communication among peers.

Together, these experiences have shaped my commitment to advocacy and public engagement and continue to influence my career goals.

Anika Zaman is a member of American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, a FASEB member society.