FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 30, 2019
Contact: Ted Bordelon
(267) 469-7048
Emily is a PhD Candidate Research Scientist Who Devoted Her Career to Studying Parkinson’s Disease
(Washington, D.C.) — Today, 314 Action, the nation’s largest resource for scientists and STEM professionals running for public office, announced its endorsement of Emily Myers, a PhD candidate who researches Parkinson’s disease.
Emily is running to be a progressive voice for Seattle’s fourth city council district, advocating for a living wage, affordable transportation and access to quality healthcare and education for all Seattle residents. Emily is a PhD candidate in Pharmacology at the University of Washington where she studies the chemical reactions involved in the development of Parkinson’s disease.
Emily is also a local leader in science policy and advocacy. As a cofounder of the Seattle Pod of 500 Women Scientists and the Washington Science Policy Network, Emily has organized and led public forums with elected officials, drafted op-eds and policy recommendations, and engaged her fellow scientists in civic action. She has also been an advocate for Women in STEM, fighting as an organizer with her union of graduate students and post-docs to protect trainees from harassment and discrimination.
Emily earned her degrees from public institutions. Her belief that inequity can be mitigated by access to affordable and quality education is what helped inform her decision to run for office. Further, after reading the 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report which pointed to risk of climate crisis by 2040, Emily realized that she couldn’t sit on the sidelines any longer because the stakes are too high.
President of 314 Action, Shaughnessy Naughton, released the following statement:
“314 Action and its network of nearly 1 million grassroots are thrilled to stand with Emily Myers for Seattle City Council. Emily’s background researching Parkinson’s disease and her belief in the importance and value of access to strong public education options for all give her a much needed perspective on city council. Emily knows the importance of a living wage, a quality education and access to housing and healthcare, and she’ll look at the facts and evidence when crafting policy to make these priorities a reality for all Seattle residents.”
Emily Myers released the following statement:
“Too often we hear elected leaders confront a public health or environmental issue and state ‘I’m not a scientist, but…’, followed by a statement lacking basic scientific knowledge. All levels of government benefit from leaders deeply rooted in scientific thinking. In Seattle, a city of research and technology, we need scientific leadership to steward innovative, data-driven policies to address the crises facing many of our major cities like climate change, economic inequality, and homelessness. I am honored to be endorsed by an organization as committed to bringing scientific leadership into public life as I am, 314 Action.
Whether it is through evidence based early learning programs, green reforms to our building codes, or harm reduction programs for addiction: I’ll act to make sure we are build a sustainable future in which everyone can thrive.”
The 2018 election cycle — which saw 9 of 314 Action’s endorsed federal candidates winning office, more than one hundred down ballot and an unprecedented number of scientists and STEM professionals running for office — was just the start for scientists moving from the lab to public office. In 2020, 314 Action aims to recruit scientists, engineers, technologists and STEM professionals in as many of the 25 targeted districts as possible, and will provide recruited candidates with logistics and support throughout their primary and general elections.
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314 Action is the largest and only resource specifically created for scientists and STEM professionals seeking assistance running for office. For more information, visit 314action.org