New Jersey’s Next Innovators Take on STEM in Government
- Gov STEM Scholars
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
The Governor’s STEM Scholars (GSS) launched its 2025–2026 program year on Saturday, October 11, 2025, with the annual STEM in Government Conference at Rutgers University’s Kathleen W. Ludwig Global Village Living Learning Center. The event brought together 101 new Scholars, representing the 12th class of the program, to explore how careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics support the work of government—driving innovation, shaping policy, and serving the public good.
Exploring the Intersection of STEM and Public Service
The day opened with remarks from Anthony Cicatiello, President of the Research & Development Council of New Jersey, who emphasized the importance of cultivating the next generation of STEM leaders in the Garden State. Dr. Jason Geary, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Rutgers University, followed by highlighting the university’s role in advancing research and education that informs public policy and economic development statewide.
The morning’s STEM in Government Panel featured leaders from state and federal agencies who offered insight into the role of science and data in shaping policy and serving the public good. Panelists included Dr. Laura Berzak Hopkins (Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory), Michael Geraghty (State of New Jersey Chief Information Security Officer), Samuel Joisil (U.S. Army – Picatinny Arsenal), and Dr. Nicol Nicola (New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development). Together, they shared how their organizations apply STEM expertise to strengthen cybersecurity, workforce forecasting, energy research, and national defense.
“The Governor’s STEM Conference was very informative, allowing me to gain valuable insights from the panelists and various experts across STEM fields. I also really enjoyed engaging with peers from different parts of New Jersey, interacting with them, and expanding my network.”— Gabriela Acosta, 2026 Governor’s STEM Scholar
Building Research and Policy Skills
Later in the day, Dr. Karla Esquilín-Lebrón, Research Advisor for the Governor’s STEM Scholars, introduced this year’s research component. Scholar teams will design projects that address local challenges in New Jersey through the lens of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, connecting scientific research with community impact.
During the afternoon, Gwendolyn Bogard from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) discussed how federal funding supports STEM research and innovation, offering Scholars insight into how government investment drives discovery and progress.
Dr. Lydia Prendergast, Associate Dean of Douglass Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE), Dr. Lorne Joseph, Director of STEM Research, Health, and Engineering Initiatives at Douglass, and WiSE Student Research Scholars share how mentorship and research opportunities empower women in STEM.
The Douglass Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) program, led by Dr. Lydia Prendergast and Dr. Lorne Joseph, showcased the importance of mentorship and representation in STEM. WiSE Student Research Scholars Pavni Bhardwaj, Shreya Iyer, Azarin Reid, Lilia Schell, Sanya Solanki, and Samikha Srinivasan shared their experiences conducting research as undergraduates at Rutgers.
Experiencing Research in Action
To conclude the conference, Scholars participated in guided tours of Rutgers University’s School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, visiting active research sites that demonstrated how STEM connects to sustainability, nutrition, and climate resilience. Tours included the Microbiology Lab with Dr. Esquilín-Lebrón, the Agrivoltaics Farm with Dr. A.J. Both, the New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition & Health with Dr. Sue Shapses, and the COOL Operations Center with Michael Crowley and Janice McDonnell, where Scholars learned about marine robotics and ocean observation.
“I had a great experience at my first Governor’s STEM Scholars Conference. I made new friends who share my interests in STEM and learned how science connects to state and federal initiatives. Visiting the Agrivoltaics Farm was especially fascinating—it showed how research in renewable energy and agriculture can help power a more sustainable future.”— Henna Patel, 2026 Governor’s STEM Scholar
Powering the Future of New Jersey’s Innovation Pipeline
The STEM in Government Conference marked the beginning of an exciting year of discovery, collaboration, and leadership development for the 12th class of the Governor’s STEM Scholars. Through conferences, research projects, and site visits, these 101 Scholars will explore New Jersey’s vast STEM ecosystem—from laboratories and classrooms to state agencies and industry leaders—preparing to power the future of innovation in the Garden State.
Next, Scholars will convene at Princeton University for the STEM in Academia Conference, where they will explore how research and education drive discovery, mentorship, and innovation across New Jersey’s world-class universities.