ITHACA, N.Y. -- Cornell University doctoral candidate in ecology and evolutionary biology Karen Deen Laughlin will travel to Capitol Hill May 10 and 11 to speak to members of Congress about science policy. She will do so as a 2005 Emerging Public Policy Leader, an award from the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS), a Washington-based nonprofit scientific association. 

The award is given to a graduate student in biology who demonstrates a strong interest in science policy. AIBS chose Laughlin for the prize because of her commitment to science policy, according to an AIBS spokesperson. Laughlin's dissertation, planned for completion this fall, explores the ecological risks of gene flow from genetically engineered virus-resistant crops to wild crops, a topic with political and economic implications.

During her trip to Washington, D.C., Laughlin will have a chance to see how federal officials and scientists who are interested in policy interact with each other. She also will have a chance to meet other scientists interested in policy. Laughlin will participate in the Science-Engineering-Technology Work Group's annual Congressional Visits Day. The two-day event brings scientists, engineers, researchers, educators and technology executives to the nation's capital to raise visibility and support for scientific research funding. Laughlin also will meet with congressional leaders. She will attend briefings by key government officials, a reception honoring members of Congress for their work on behalf of science and a briefing on federal programs that support biological research.