NSF AAAS STP Fellow Biography
Dr. Kay-Marie Lamar
AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow
Directorate for Engineering
Office of Emerging Frontiers and Multidisciplinary Activities
Class of 2022–2023
Dr. Kay-Marie Lamar holds a bachelor's degree in genetics from Iowa State University and earned a Ph.D. in human genetics from the University of Chicago. Her graduate work was focused on the molecular mechanisms of a gene associated with muscular dystrophy disease severity. Lamar went on to do postdoctoral work under Dr. Gemma Carvill, studying the genetics of epilepsy using 3D cell models called cerebral organoids. During her postdoc, Lamar was an active member of the Northwestern University Postdoctoral Association and served as co-chair for two consecutive terms. With NUPA, Lamar established an advocacy committee for postdocs and planned professional development, science policy and science communications events. Lamar is passionate about improving the research training experience and making it more inclusive for the next generation of aspiring scientists. Outside of work, Lamar enjoys going to street festivals, attending plays, and spending time with her two-year-old twin boys.