Dr. Carlos De León Rodríguez, alumnus of the Yale Ciencia Academy (YCA) for Career Development, has been selected to the inaugural class of the Scientist Sentinels: Civic Engagement & Leadership Program. The goal of the Scientist Sentinel Program, created by COMPASS, is to build a network of empowered, mutually supportive leaders who are working to advance the role of science in society, inspire their peers, and support evidence-based decision making at the local level and beyond.  The 6-month leadership program focuses on civic engagement for scientists and researchers. It kicks off with a 3-day in-person retreat May 29 – June 1, 2018 in Seattle, WA. The 15 scientists selected as Scientist Sentinels will join 5 Science and Democracy Fellows supported by the Union of Concerned Scientists for an intensive retreat on the policy landscape, the role of science in decision-making, leadership, and science communication skills. Participants will refine their civic engagement goals as scientists, practice new communication and leadership techniques, and become part of a network of mutually supportive peers.  

“We are incredibly excited to work with such a stellar group of scientists who have already demonstrated leadership in communicating science, working with their communities, and engaging with decision makers. The application process was very competitive, and the volume and caliber of the applicants speaks to the need for this kind of training and support. We’re thrilled to be able to provide this program,” said Dr. Amanda Stanley, COMPASS Executive Director. “We purposefully selected a cohort that encompasses a diverse blend of perspectives, fields of study, backgrounds, and career stages, because we know how powerful and motivational these networks can be. Designing a program that supports scientists to keep connecting beyond the initial training leads to amazing collaborations and real change. We’re excited to see what this group will accomplish,” Dr. Stanley continued.

The selected participants come from a wide variety of institutions, backgrounds, and expertise, and were selected based on their outstanding accomplishments both in science and in public engagement. Full bios for the group can be viewed on the COMPASS website.

Carlos M. De Leon-Rodriguez received his Ph.D. from Albert Einstein College of Medicine while working on his thesis as a visiting scholar in the laboratory of Dr. Arturo Casadevall at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. He is currently an ORISE post-doctoral fellow at the CDC Dengue Branch in San Juan, Puerto Rico. His is working on the development of serodiagnostic tools for dengue and Zika viruses. He holds a certificate in project management from the NYC School of Professional Studies and is a 2016 Yale Ciencia Fellow. He is passionate about using mentoring, teaching, community engagement, and educational programs, to empower underserved communities.