Howard Garrison Advocacy Fellow

Rebekah Kendall, PhD

Rebekah Kendall is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Montana. 

Describe your interest in participating in the Howard Garrison Advocacy Fellowship.
Kendall: The overarching goal I have for my career has always been to have a positive impact on the world through my research activities, mentoring, and outreach/advocacy activities. Until recently, I thought everyone appreciated scientists and the contributions they were actively making to the public good. Unconsciously, I was operating as though I could do my science in my lab, and inherently, everyone would understand the benefit of what I was doing. I could not have been more wrong. Science without communication, without advocacy, is impotent. I want to participate in the Howard Garrison Advocacy Fellowship because of the crucial guidance this program offers to someone who is now dedicated to making sure her science is heard by elected representatives, policymakers, and the public at large. My advisor has been excellent in trying to prepare me to communicate my science to a variety of audiences, but those settings have been largely academic, regardless of the level of expertise in the audience. To be able to efficiently convey the importance of biomedical research and its findings to the general layperson and especially to policymakers who need to be as passionate about my future funding as I am, is critical to the future success of myself and countless others who are actively engaged in scientific pursuits.

By learning how to advocate for biomedical research, I can serve as an example for others and make an impact. By facilitating the engagement of young investigators, I believe this program offers an excellent opportunity for future independent researchers to understand how government policies that determine funding availability for entities such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are implemented and to promote sustained engagement in the process from the start. Of significant importance to me is the promotion of increased funding for biomedical research in Montana and other states, such as New Mexico and Idaho, which are a part of the NIH Institutional Development Award (IDeA).

As a research scientist from Montana, I have a personal responsibility to increase my knowledge of science policy and communications so that I can continue to promote the scientific advancements that our lab and those around the world are making. By increasing my ability to advocate for continued funding, I will have the tools to help create future opportunities that promote the funding and success of biomedical research. My desire to pursue a research career has made me very aware of the funding challenges that often face biomedical researchers and contributes to my motivation for involvement in advocacy, while the unique challenges to funding and public acceptance this generation of scientific researchers face make leadership development through a program such as the Howard Garrison Advocacy Fellowship incredibly important.

How do you plan to use the knowledge and experience gained through your participation in the Howard Garrison Advocacy Fellowship?
Kendall: I am a postdoctoral research associate at the Center for Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Montana. Upon conclusion of my postdoctoral studies, I hope to pursue a research career in academia or industry. While I am still deciding which path is best for me, whatever I choose, I will remain committed to highlighting the importance of scientific inquiry.

Regardless of the path my future takes me, I plan to use the knowledge and experiences gained through my participation in the Howard Garrison Advocacy Fellowship to expand the public’s knowledge and appreciation for the contributions scientific researchers make to their lives. The tools and skills I develop through this program will allow me to effectively communicate with local and statewide policy makers regarding how to best support and invest in science. I am eager to gain a deeper appreciation for the way science policy is shaped and enacted in the United States and to continue to push for scientific access and representation for all. 

If there is anything I have learned in recent months, it is the profound need for changes in how science is communicated, how science policy is enacted, and how scientists should be engaging with policymakers. Moving forward, the approach to scientific research is changing, and the knowledge gained in this program will give me the greatest chance of success in the rapidly evolving scientific landscape.

Using no more than 250 words, describe your research as you would to a non-scientist.
Kendall: Chronic inflammation plays a major role in an untold number of disease outcomes in the world each year, yet there is so much we still do not understand to develop better treatments. My research focuses on the immune system’s frontline defender, the macrophage. I study how these cells can either calm down or worsen inflammation when we breathe in particles like dust, asbestos, wood smoke, or air pollution. All of these things can reach deep into our lungs, where they can cause long-term damage and promote disease. I hope that by uncovering how macrophages respond to these harmful particles on the cellular level, I can help suggest more effective therapies for chronic lung conditions like asthma and idiopathic pulmonary disease.

Briefly describe any past or present participation in additional career exploration activities, experiences, and/or programs.
Kendall: I had the opportunity to participate in the American Association of Immunologists Public Policy program. As a fellow, I participated in hour-long meetings once a month, and the training culminated in a boot camp for talking to policymakers and a trip to Capitol Hill to advocate for NIH funding for biomedical research.

I have also had the opportunity to participate in a two-day Leadership Development course put on by the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS). It provided insights for how to be an effective leader and how to respond to obstacles that might arise.

I have participated in roundtable discussions focused on career exploration at the Society of Toxicology's annual meetings, and these have been informative in helping me better understand the available career options.

Rebekah Kendall is a member of American Association of Immunologists, a FASEB member society.