Health Equity Policy Manager
Grace Wickerson
they/them
Medical Innovation,
Emerging Technologies

Grace Wickerson is the Health Equity Policy Manager at the Federation of American Scientists. They work on embedding equity in health policies, with an eye towards leveraging data and technology as key tools for accelerating change. They are committed to ensuring technologies are accessible to all as well as securing innovations for patients who are under-researched and underserved in medicine.

They received their Master’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering at Northwestern University. Their research focused on materials, design, and fabrication strategies for advanced medical devices, from wearables to implantables. In addition to their research on medical devices, Grace worked as a research intern with the Center for Health Equity Transformation working on engineering design methods for building with those with lived experiences of illness. They are passionate about re-tooling engineering education to serve the public good, writing about transforming engineering for equity in Scientific American and for The American Society of Engineering Education. Prior to Northwestern, Grace received their B.S. in Materials Science and Nanoengineering from Rice University. 

publications
Environment
Report
Building a Whole-of-Government Strategy to Address Extreme Heat

The federal government plays a critical role in scaling up heat resilience interventions through research and development, regulations, standards, guidance, funding sources, and other policy levers. But what are the transformational policy opportunities for action?

06.18.24 | 32 min read
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Environment
Policy Memo
Preparing and Responding to Extreme Heat through Effective Local, State, and Federal Action Planning

Through the broad uptake and implementation of the Heat Action Planning framework by key agencies and offices, the federal government will enable a more heat-prepared nation.

04.05.24 | 12 min read
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Environment
day one project
Policy Memo
Defining Disaster: Incorporating Heat Waves and Smoke Waves into Disaster Policy

To better incorporate extreme heat and people-centered disasters into U.S. emergency management, Congress and federal agencies should take several interrelated actions.

04.05.24 | 12 min read
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Environment
day one project
Policy Memo
A Call for Immediate Public Health and Emergency Response Planning for Widespread Grid Failure Under Extreme Heat

In a blackout, access to critical services like telecommunications, transportation, and medical assistance is also compromised, which only intensifies and compounds the urgency for coordinated response efforts.

04.03.24 | 9 min read
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Environment
day one project
Policy Memo
A Comprehensive Strategy to Address Extreme Heat in Schools

To protect the health and well-being of the nation’s children, the federal government must facilitate efforts to collect the data required to drive extreme heat mitigation and adaptive capacity in the classroom.

04.02.24 | 11 min read
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Emerging Technology
day one project
Policy Memo
Create an Office of Co-Production at the National Institutes of Health

The National Institutes of Health should form an Office of Co-Production in the Office of the Director to ensure meaningful public engagement and rebuild trust.

02.07.24 | 5 min read
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Environment
Blog
How an Obscure Law Shapes the Way the Public Engages with the Food and Drug Administration

When federal agencies need expert input, they look to advice from external experts and interested citizens through a series of public engagement mechanisms, from public meetings to public comment.

01.23.24 | 4 min read
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Environment
Blog
For America to Become Climate Resilient, We Need Innovative Policy Solutions to Address The Extreme Heat Crisis

FAS introduces a cohort of over 20 experts from our Extreme Heat Policy Challenge to develop high-impact policy recommendations that comprehensively address the extreme heat crisis.

01.09.24 | 4 min read
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Emerging Technology
Blog
Opening Up Scientific Enterprise to Public Participation

To bring participatory science into the mainstream, there will need to be creative policy solutions for incentive mechanisms, standards, funding streams, training ecosystems, assessment mechanisms, and organizational capacity.

09.20.23 | 5 min read
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Environment
Issue Brief
Six hot opportunity areas to beat the heat through federal policy

Extreme heat is the number one weather-related killer of Americans, yet receives minimal targeted federal support and dedicated funding for planning, mitigation, and recovery.

08.13.23 | 13 min read
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Emerging Technology
day one project
Policy Memo
Establishing an AI Center of Excellence to Address Maternal Health Disparities

Maternal mortality is a crisis in the United States. The Biden-Harris Administration should establish an AI Center of Excellence to bring together data sources and then analyze, diagnose, and address maternal health disparities, all while demonstrating trustworthy and responsible AI principles.

05.02.23 | 7 min read
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Emerging Technology
Blog
A Bipartisan Health Agenda to Unite America: Innovative Ideas to Strengthen American Wellbeing

There’s more work to be done to build a healthier future for all Americans, but here are some ideas for starters.

03.08.23 | 5 min read
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