Chioma Onwumelu honored as Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellow

About Chioma Onwumelu

Chioma Onwumelu (DELS/BESR) is a Ph.D. candidate in Geology at the University of North Dakota (UND). She is a researcher working at UND’s Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) studying and conducting laboratory analyses to interpret data on improved unconventional oil and gas production, enhanced oil recovery in unconventional and conventional resources and CO2, and rich gas storage in a geologic formation. Chioma holds a B-tech degree in geology from the Federal University of Technology Owerri Nigeria; and an MS degree in geology from UND. Chioma is interested in how geological sciences can support the energy transition and what policy frameworks can enable the energy transition. She is also interested in mentoring the next generation of professional geoscientists, especially young women. Outside of the lab, Chioma has pioneered and led several student and professional organizations in the state of North Dakota. Chioma is currently one of the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center’s Women Leaders in Energy and Climate Fellow. She strongly believes in and advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Chioma loves traveling and volunteering for great causes like teaching science to young children.

About the Program

The Christine Mirzayan Science & Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program, now in its 25th year, is a full-time hands-on training and educational program that provides early career individuals with the opportunity to spend 12 weeks at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in Washington, DC learning about science and technology policy and the role that scientists and engineers play in advising the nation.

Each year, applicants from around the world become part of an Academies’ unit where they are assigned to a mentor and learn about the world of science and technology policy. An immersive experience, the program is designed to broaden fellows’ appreciation of employment opportunities outside academia and leave them with both a firm grasp of the important and dynamic role of science and technology in decision-making and a better understanding of the role that they can play in strengthening the science and technology enterprise for the betterment of mankind.

Alumni of the program hold positions in Congressional committees such as the House Science and Technology Committee and at federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of State, National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, Environmental Protection Agency, United States Agency for International Development, Department of Defense, and Department of Energy. They also work in foreign governments, in international institutions such as the European Union and World Bank, in universities, and in the private sector.