The American Political Science Association is pleased to welcome the Class of 2024-2025 to its prestigious Congressional Fellowship Program (CFP). Since 1953, this selective, nonpartisan program has brought together political scientists, journalists, federal employees, and other professionals to gain firsthand experience on Capitol Hill through placements on congressional staff. The nine-month fellowship begins each November with an intensive orientation led by experts, followed by tailored placements and ongoing seminars. Through this unique opportunity, the program enhances public understanding of policymaking and improves the quality of scholarship, teaching, and reporting on American national politics.
Welcome fellows!
Political Scientist Fellows
Shane Day, PhD
Associate Professor, Portland State University
Kristen Essel, PhD
Brown University
Rosa C. Krewson, PhD
Adjunct Faculty at American University and New York University
Samuel (Sam) Erkiletian, PhD
University College London
Josue (Josh) Franco, PhD
Associate Professor of Political Science, Cuyamaca College
Robert Oldham, PhD
Princeton University
Journalist Fellows
Amber Lin
Independent Journalist & Geopolitical Analyst
Federal Executive Fellows
Samantha Fein—Interagency Fellow
Christopher Fortson—Interagency Fellow
Andrew Pelkey—Interagency Fellow
The Asia Foundation Fellow
Kawisara Sukumolchan—Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand
Sasakawa Peace Foundation Fellow
Kenta Fukao—Assistant Director, Secretariat of the House of Representatives
Yuki Tsujimura, PhD—University of Tokyo
Spirit Mountain Community Fund/Mark O. Hatfield Fellow
Kwani-Fawn Marcellay—Reed College
Health & Aging Policy Fellows
Kealohaku’ualohaku’upoki’i (Poki’i) Balaz, DNP, EMBA—Director of Strategic Initiatives, Center for Innovation, Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, Kōkua Kalihi Valley Health Center
Carey Candrian, PhD—Associate Professor and Director of LGBTQ+ Research and Community Engagement, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, VP, Lesbian Health Fund
Rebecca S. Crow, DO—Director of Geriatrics, White River Junction VA Medical Center, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
Darlene J. Curley, EdD, MS—Chair, Utah Governor’s Commission on Aging, Advisor, Center for Health Policy, Columbia University School of Nursing
Carol Dufresne, MDiv—Staff Chaplain, Family Support Program, Women’s Clinic Hampton Veterans Affairs Healthcare System
Tracy Fasolino, PhD, FNP-BC, ACHPN—Professor and Distinguished Palliative Care Leader, Clemson University School of Nursing
Farhana Ferdous, PhD—Associate Professor, Department of Architecture, Howard University
Lin (Helen) Jiang, PhD, MSSc—Associate Professor, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Social Work
Clifford Y. Ko, MD, MS, MSHS, FACS, FASCRS—Director, Division of Research and Optimal Patient Care, American College of Surgeons, Professor of Surgery and Health Services, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA School of Public Health
Deborah Kaye, MD, MS—Assistant Professor, Department of Urology, Division of Urologic Oncology at Duke University
Julie Lowenthal, MSW, MPH—Caregiver Program Development and Advocacy Specialist, Area Agency on Aging 1-B
Samsun Naher, PhD, MA—Aging and Disability Policy Research Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine
Priti Patel, MD, MPH—Senior Advisor for Long COVID, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Emory University School of Medicine, CAPT, US Public Health Service
Caroline Sloan, MD, MPH—Assistant Professor of Medicine, Duke University
Ilana Stol, MD—Palliative Care Physician, Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Geriatrics and Extended Care, Affiliate Assistant Professor of Medicine and Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC)
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Fellows
Nicolle L. Arthun, BSN, RN, MSN, CNM, FACNM—Founder, Changing Woman Initiative, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Shamie Das, MD, MBA, MPH—Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta
A. Rani Elwy, PhD—Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI; Research Career Scientist, Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA; Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, Massachusetts
Tracey L. Henry, MD, MPH, MS—Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta
Tonya Moore, PhD, RN—Founder and Chief Executive Officer, MooreNOW, LLC, Brandon, Mississippi
Sujith Ramachandran, PhD—Associate Professor of Pharmacy Administration, University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, University
Michael T. Schmeltz, DrPH, MS—Assistant Professor, Department of Public Health, California State University, East Bay, Hayward
