Where Scientific Discovery Meets Public Service
The newest class of Governor’s STEM Scholars kicks off the 2027 programmatic year by exploring groundbreaking research and STEM career opportunities in the public sector.
On Saturday, October 17, 2026, the Governor’s STEM Scholars welcomed its newest class to Rutgers University for the annual STEM in Government Conference, kicking off the 2027 programmatic year with an exploration of how science, technology, engineering, and mathematics advance research, innovation, and public service.
The conference brought together 110 Scholars from across New Jersey to engage with leading scientists, researchers, and government professionals working in the public sector. Throughout the day, Scholars discovered opportunities to apply their STEM interests to careers ranging from nuclear fusion and cybersecurity to environmental protection and national defense.
The conference also marked the beginning of a year of scientific exploration, professional development, and collaborative research for the new class, selected from a record pool of more than 1,200 applicants.
Exploring STEM Careers in Government
The conference opened with remarks from Anthony Cicatiello, President of the Research & Development Council of New Jersey, and Wendie Cohick, Ph.D., Vice Provost and Vice Chancellor for Research at Rutgers University, who welcomed Scholars and highlighted the opportunities available to pursue scientific research and innovation in New Jersey.
A central highlight of the morning was the STEM in Government panel, which brought together four professionals working across state and federal agencies and publicly supported research institutions:
Michael Geraghty, Chief Information Security Officer and Director of the NJ Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell, State of New Jersey
Erik Gilson, Ph.D., Head, Discovery Plasma Science Department, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
Lori Lester, Ph.D., Chief, Bureau of Risk Analysis, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Keith Luhmann, Assistant Chief of Staff for Strategic Communications, U.S. Army DEVCOM Armaments Center
Panelists discussed their professional journeys, the scientific and technical challenges facing their organizations, and how government agencies support groundbreaking research. Their experiences illustrated the breadth of STEM opportunities in public service, from protecting critical infrastructure and advancing energy technologies to applying environmental science to regulatory decisions and developing emerging defense technologies.
The conversation also highlighted the interdisciplinary nature of STEM careers and the importance of skills beyond technical expertise, including communication, collaboration, adaptability, and relationship-building.
For many Scholars, the discussion expanded their understanding of where a STEM education can lead.
"Research isn’t only conducted in universities: there are a surprising number of research positions in government that can affect more people," reflected one Scholar.
Another shared, "It was very interesting to learn the extent of the role STEM plays in the government. I was not fully aware of just how in depth the intersection was between STEM and government work."
Following the panel, Scholars had the opportunity to connect directly with the speakers during office hours, ask questions about their experiences, and explore potential career pathways.
Turning Scientific Interests into Meaningful Research
Beyond exploring government careers, the conference provided Scholars with an introduction to the collaborative research projects they will undertake throughout the year.
Karla Esquilín-Lebrón, Ph.D., Research Advisor for the Governor’s STEM Scholars and Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology at Rutgers University, introduced Scholars to the expectations and opportunities associated with their research projects.
Each team will investigate a scientific or engineering challenge with a connection to New Jersey, working to develop evidence-based findings that could inform solutions to issues affecting communities throughout the state.
These projects are designed to give Scholars experience applying their STEM knowledge to real-world challenges while developing the research, collaboration, and leadership skills essential to their future careers.
Scholars also met with their Research Leads and fellow team members to begin identifying shared interests, discussing potential research directions, and building the relationships that will support their work over the coming months.
Exploring Research Opportunities at Rutgers
Lydia Prendergast, Ph.D. engages with Scholars. A Governor’s STEM Scholar participates in a hands-on activity. Governor’s STEM Scholars test their airplanes during an interactive engineering challenge. A Douglass WiSE student shares her research poster with Governor’s STEM Scholars.
In the afternoon, Scholars learned about undergraduate research pathways through an interactive session led by Rutgers University's Douglass Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) initiative. The session was led by Lydia Prendergast, Ph.D., Associate Dean of Women in Science and Engineering, and Lorne S. Joseph, Ph.D., Director of STEM Research, Health, and Engineering Initiatives, both at Douglass Residential College.
Joining them were six Douglass WiSE SUPER students and ambassadors: JiaYi Ni, Kelli Quia, Krupa Rana, Karina Ramnani, Aysha Ruponte, and Sajoud Saleh. The students shared their research experiences across disciplines including biotechnology, engineering, neuroscience, psychology, and public health.
The session also included an interactive project that gave Scholars an opportunity to engage in hands-on STEM exploration, complementing the research presentations and demonstrating the collaborative, creative approaches involved in scientific discovery.
The conference concluded with guided tours of Rutgers' School of Environmental and Biological Sciences research facilities, offering Scholars an opportunity to see scientific discovery in action.
Across five specialized tours, Scholars explored research spanning food science, microbiology, nutrition, meteorology, sustainable agriculture, and renewable energy. At Rutgers Farm, AJ Both, Ph.D., Professor and Extension Specialist in the Department of Environmental Sciences, introduced Scholars to agrivoltaics and the integration of solar energy production with agriculture. At Rutgers Gardens, Steven Decker, Ph.D., Associate Teaching Professor and Director of the Meteorology Undergraduate Program, explored weather monitoring and atmospheric science.
Other Scholars visited the Food Science Lab with Don Schaffner, Ph.D., Department Chair and Distinguished Professor of Food Science; the New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health with Sue Shapses, Ph.D., RD, Distinguished Professor of Nutritional Sciences and Institute Director; and the Waksman Museum with Marisa Syed, a Rutgers researcher and former Governor’s STEM Scholars Research Lead.
Together, these experiences demonstrated the diversity of research taking place throughout New Jersey and the opportunities available for Scholars to contribute to future scientific discoveries.
Building Connections and Looking Ahead
The STEM in Government Conference marked the beginning of a year of collaboration, professional development, and scientific exploration for the 2027 class of Governor's STEM Scholars.
Throughout the day, Scholars connected with peers from across New Jersey, engaged with accomplished STEM professionals, and began building relationships with the Research Leads and teammates who will support their scientific investigations.
The conference reinforced the breadth of opportunities available to STEM professionals in the public sector and demonstrated how scientific expertise can contribute to addressing some of society's most pressing challenges.
The Governor's STEM Scholars will continue their exploration of New Jersey's STEM landscape at the STEM in Academia Conference on December 5, 2026, at Rowan University, where Scholars will learn more about university research, academic careers, and opportunities in higher education.
The Governor's STEM Scholars is made possible through the generous support of Bristol Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Merck, the PSEG Foundation, Panasonic, Spencer Savings Bank, and Stryker, along with academic partners Rutgers University, Rowan University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, and Kean University. Their support helps provide Scholars with access to exceptional research experiences, mentorship, and professional development opportunities at no cost.
The Governor’s STEM Scholars is a public-private partnership between the Research & Development Council of New Jersey, the Governor’s Office, the New Jersey Department of Education, and the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education.
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