Science & Society Alumni Hub: Conference Info & Student Highlights
Welcome to your go-to spot for all things related to the Duke MA in Bioethics & Science Policy Reunion in Washington, DC! This page is designed with our Science & Society alumni in mind—making it easy to stay connected, access key student information, and dive into event details. Whether you're here to support current students, catch up with fellow alumni, or get the most out of your time in DC, we’re excited to have you back and part of the community.Meet Our Current Cohort
Parnika Sharma
Parnika Sharma is concentrating in Tech Ethics and Science Policy. She has a B.S. in Computer Science and spent 5 years working as a software engineer. She is most interested in privacy and data rights and in helping increase public understanding of novel technologies like Artificial Intelligence.
Sofya Diktas
Sofya Diktas is an ethical technologist with a B.S. in electrical and computer engineering from Cornell University. During her time at Accenture, she was the technical manager for an emerging technology innovation lab. In this role, she worked with multiple clients to develop AI solutions and oversee a team of developers. From this experience, Sofya was inspired to return for her Master’s in Tech Ethics and Science Policy to pursue a career in AI policy. Specifically, her interests lie in trust & safety, algorithmic bias, labor impacts, and values alignment. As someone who constantly imagines different possibilities, Sofya is eager and excited to design a new future with effective policies ensuring AI systems work for everyone.
Jiunn-Tyng Yeh
Jiunn-Tyng Yeh (Tyng) is concentrating in bioethics, tech ethics, and science policy. He holds an M.D. and a Ph.D. in neuroscience. His experiences include clinical practice, neuroscience research, and work in medical AI regulation. He’s interested in the ethical and policy implications of medical AI and neurotechnology.
Abigail Wesson
Abigail Wesson graduated from Brown University with a B.A. in science, technology, and society. At Brown, she wrote a research paper examining the bias in facial recognition systems, which sparked her interest in technology ethics. She later wrote a research paper analyzing Amazon Alexa’s relationship to privacy and presented this research at the Sixth International Research Conference on Science, Technology, Medicine, and Society. Eager to further scrutinize the societal implications of emerging technologies and effectively address these impacts, Abigail is pursuing a master’s degree in Tech Ethics and Policy. Her interests include algorithmic bias, privacy, AI regulation, and the deployment of responsible AI.
Brandon Renick
Brandon Renick is concentrating in Bioethics and Science Policy. He obtained his BSN from the University of South Florida and worked as a nurse in the Neonatal ICU setting for four years. His current focus is on clinical ethics, particularly in the neonatal population. Other professional interests include patient advocacy and optimizing healthcare delivery systems.
Bryan Conston
Bryan Conston is concentrating in Bioethics and Science Policy. He is interested in healthcare rights and equity. He earned a B.A. in Psychological and Brain Sciences from Washington University in St. Louis, which informs his interest in the ethical dimensions of healthcare access and delivery. After gaining experience as a medical scribe, Bryan is looking to contribute to the effectiveness of healthcare systems with emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.
Clay Zimmerman
Clay Zimmerman has focused his studies on Bioethics and Science Policy. Clay graduated as valedictorian from Belmont Abbey College, obtaining his Bachelor’s Degree with minors in Bioethics and Philosophy. His interests include clinical and legislative bioethics, which has led him to conduct research in areas such as incarcerated medical ethics, inclusive and responsible clinical trial practices, and equitable access to HIV-preventative medications.
Harita Udayashankar
Harita Udayashankar is concentrating in Bioethics and Science Policy. She has a B.S. in Biopsychology and spent 2 years working in neuropharmacology research and currently conducts research in neurogenetics. She is interested in advances in neurotechnology and genetic testing and editing for both therapeutic purposes and in human biological enhancement and human hybrid technology.
Molly Aguina
Molly Aguina is a Princeton University graduate from Chicago, IL. She studied sociology, neuroscience, statistics, and machine learning at Princeton. She uses social science frameworks to examine medical paradigms such as trust between the patient and medical provider. She worked with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to develop a model to better interpret the global relationships between communication and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children with cancer and their families. She is interested in global health and human rights work in resource limited settings or for disproportionately disadvantaged populations. She is also interested in the One Health framework–improving the relationships between the environment, animals, and humans for overall health.
Shivam Chand
Shivam Chand is currently pursuing a Bioethics and Science Policy concentration. He earned his B.S. in Biological Sciences from the University of Pittsburgh where he previously worked on projects ranging from computational drug discovery, epidemiology research, and public health data analytics. Within the Department of Anesthesiology at Duke Med, Shivam is currently working on clinical research exploring neurocognitive function in older adults focusing on the risk of developing postoperative delirium.
Renee Muthakana
Renee Muthakana is concentrating in Biosciences and Tech Policy at Duke University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Women’s Studies from the University of Pittsburgh. With experience in clinical cancer research and healthcare consulting, Renee specializes in using data-driven insights and policy analysis to improve patient care and system efficiency. At Duke, she is exploring how medicine, technology, and policy intersect to advance equitable healthcare systems. Passionate about health equity, Renee aims to shape policies that ensure future healthcare solutions are inclusive and accessible to all.
Meet Our Panelists
John Bollinger (Bioscience)
An alumnus of Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. His interests include infectious disease epidemiology, health care policy, and maternal and child health. He is currently a Public Policy Manager at Eli Lilly & Company.
Dakota Douglas (Bioscience)
I am a dedicated advocate for healthcare equity, passionate about empowering vulnerable patient populations to secure fair access to essential health, social, and community resources. Currently a medical student with training in bioethics, I bring a unique perspective, blending experience in qualitative health policy outcomes research, national non-profit policy initiatives, bioethics, and medical-legal advocacy.
Victoria Gemme (Bioscience)
Duke-Margolis’s former Assistant Research Director for our FDA portfolio and the current Director of Policy and Regulatory Affairs at the National Organization for Rare Diseases (NORD)
Daniel Berrick (Tech Policy)
Daniel Berrick is a Senior Policy Counsel for Artificial Intelligence at the Future of Privacy Forum. His work involves analyzing complex consumer and commercial privacy law and policy issues, including sector- and technology-specific areas raised by artificial intelligence. In this role, Daniel collaborates with industry, peers and the wider privacy community to identify and develop best practices for data privacy. He received his JD from Duke University School of Law (cum laude), and his BA (magna cum laude) from Hamilton College. Daniel obtained CIPP/US and CIPP/E certifications in recognition of his knowledge of U.S. and EU privacy law.
Angela Guo (Tech Policy)
Data privacy and AI governance attorney interested in all things at the intersection of technology, ethics, law, and policy. Ex-FTC and FPF, with experience investigating privacy and security issues related to AI, health privacy, data brokers, connected vehicles, location data, immersive technologies (VR/AR), and neurorights.
Conference Details
Transportation
We strongly advise taking the Metro to the venue. Parking is very limited and expensive in the Metro Center area, though street parking may be available at parking meters. UBER/Lyft are always an option as well, given the office location in proximity to the US Capital and White House please take into consideration travel times should there be a motorcade.
By Metro
For timetables, maps, and more information on public transportation visit www.wmata.com.
- Metro Center services the Orange, Blue, Silver, and Red Lines
Take the exit on 12th and F street. From there, head south toward the National Mall. The White House will be on your right-hand side several blocks over. Our office building is on 1201 Pennsylvania AvenueNW, Suite 500.
- Federal Triangle services the Orange, Blue, and Silver Lines
Once there, take the escalator to 12th street and turn left (North). Cross Pennsylvania Avenue and turn left again to access our entrance at 1201.
- Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter services the Green and Yellow Lines
Exit the metro station and walk NW with Pennsylvania Ave NW on your left and the memorial on your right. Cross over 12th street and turn right to access our entrance at 1201 Pennsylvania NW.
Public Parking
Nearby parking garages include: 1201 Pennsylvania Ave NW | 1220 E St NW | 1111 Pennsylvania Ave | 555 12th St NW
Metered spots are also available on the 12th street side of the building. Rates and times are determined by parking companies.
Additional Questions or Concerns
If you have any other questions or concerns about the conference, please reach out to Renee Muthakana at renee.muthakana@duke.edu or Parnika Sharma at parnika.sharma@duke.edu