Biography
Dr. Jacob Kravetz
AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow
Division of Computer and Network Systems (CNS)
Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE)
Class of 2023-2024
Dr. Jacob Kravetz is a chemist and community organizer originally from Massachusetts. He received his undergraduate degree in chemistry with honors from Williams College and went on to earn a PhD in chemistry from Johns Hopkins University. His PhD work focused on synthesizing analogues of bioactive compounds from polyketide synthases (PKS) and studying the small molecule interactions within these complex enzymatic systems. His work was part of a multidisciplinary and collaborative team spanning several fields including molecular biology, chemistry, crystallography, and biophysics. His enduring interest in chemistry and scientific exploration began seriously in high school working as an intern for the biotechnology company Paratek Pharmaceuticals studying tetracyclines.
Outside of the lab, Jacob has volunteered with multiple organizations focused on climate change and political organizing, working to bring scientifically sound policy changes to governments from the local to the national level. These experiences honed his science communication skills and reemphasized to him the importance of open communication and collaboration, not just between scientists, but the larger public communities as well. He is excited to continue pursuing this collaborative ethos as an AAAS fellow at the NSF, using his expertise in both scientific analysis and communication working with both researchers and communities to discover the most effective methods for building sustainable and resilient communities in the face of crisis.