Introducing the 2025-26 Colorado Science & Technology Program Fellows: (L-R) Leena Vilonen, Samantha Lattof, Dhivahari Vivek, and Max O’Connor.

DENVER, CO--To meet surging demand for credible, nonpartisan analysis on complex issues, the Institute for Science & Policy at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science is launching the Colorado Science & Technology Policy Program (STPP), placing fellows within the General Assembly’s Legislative Council Staff in advance of the 2026 session to provide evidence-based support across a range of issues while receiving training in the realities of state policymaking. 

Beginning this fall, STPP Fellows will spend one year working alongside the Colorado General Assembly, directly serving lawmakers and gaining first-hand experience in the policymaking process. Fellows will provide impartial, nonpartisan analysis and research to support policy decisions that benefit all Coloradans.    

"What matters to my constituents and all Coloradans is well-informed decisions,” says Senate Minority Leader Cleave Simpson, an advisor to the fellowship program. “This fellowship program will provide my colleagues and me access to reliable information that I can trust. Something that I know many of us are eager to have because we are facing really complex problems. 

The Fellows have been selected to work on multi-layered scientific and technical issues, such as energy and climate, AI and technology, health and human services, and natural resources, among other issues.  

"I highly endorse having policy fellows from the Institute for Science & Policy at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science support our research work here at the Capitol,” says Senate President James Coleman. “I believe there is a strong need for this, given we lack sufficient staff to execute this specific and important job function. Our members are in need of additional support in this area, and it would be of value for all of us in order to better serve the people of Colorado."    

Fellows will work within the office of Legislative Council Staff (LCS) to bolster support of the entire 100-person legislature. For over 70 years, LCS has served as the nonpartisan research arm of the Colorado General Assembly, providing support to legislative committees, responding to legislative research requests, preparing fiscal analyses of bills and more. By working alongside LCS, the STPP Fellows will bring their technical skills to support legislators with access to timely and relevant research, while learning about Colorado’s legislative process. 

“Many of the current societal challenges facing Coloradans contain layers of complexities that would benefit from evidence and data-driven nonpartisan analysis,” says Kristan Uhlenbrock, executive director of The Institute for Science & Policy. “Establishing a program like this provides our legislature with direct and timely access to specialized knowledge that can help inform their decisions.” 

We are excited to announce the 2025-2026 inaugural cohort of scientists and technical experts: 

Samantha Lattof: Public Health, Mental Health and Human Services Fellow 

Lattof has led health research and programs here and abroad across academia, the World Health Organization and the nonprofit and private sectors on strengthening health systems and addressing inequities in access to care. She holds an MS in global health and population from Harvard University and a Ph.D. in demography from the London School of Economics.  

Max O’Connor: Energy, Climate and Transportation Fellow 

Originally from Florida, O’Connor is an advanced energy materials chemist studying the properties of advanced semiconductor materials. She holds a BS in chemistry from Brown University and a Ph.D. in chemistry through a joint program between the University of Colorado Boulder and NREL.  

Leena Vilonen: Natural Resources, Agriculture, Wildfire, Water and Economic Development Fellow 

Vilonen is a microbial ecologist and was previously the executive director of the Global Soil Biodiversity Initiative at Colorado State University (CSU). She holds a BS in biology and environmental science from Northwestern University and a Ph.D. in ecology from CSU. 

Dhivahari Vivek: AI and Technology Fellow 

Vivek is experienced in state government projects building digital infrastructure to store and process large amounts of data with a focus on the socially responsible collection and use of data. She holds a BS in computer science and political science from CSU, and an MPP from Duke University. 

The Colorado Science & Technology Policy Program is hosted by The Institute for Science & Policy at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and is financially supported by the Boettcher Foundation, the Gates Family Foundation, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and Knight Foundation, along with additional support provided by the National Conference of State Legislatures. Learn more about the Fellowship program at the Colorado STPP homepage.  

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About The Institute for Science & Policy 

Established in 2018, the Institute for Science & Policy at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science elevates evidence-informed and data-driving thinking on societally relevant issues. The Institute is non-partisan and designed to work across divides to help solve our most complex statewide, national, and global challenges such as climate change, energy, public health, technology, and more. The Institute’s overall objective is for science to become a second-nature consideration in public discourse and policymaking by providing resources and tools to facilitate productive conversations. Learn more at institute.dmns.org.   

 About the Denver Museum of Nature & Science   

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is the Rocky Mountain region’s leading resource for formal and informal science education. Many of the Museum’s educational programs and exhibits are made possible in part by the citizens of the seven-county metro area through the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District. The Museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. Learn more at dmns.org.