Howard Garrison Advocacy Fellow

Emily Tirrell, PhD

Emily Tirrell is a is a postdoctoral researcher in Bethesda, MD. 

Describe your interest in participating in the program.
As a neuroepidemiology researcher studying stroke recovery and cognitive aging, my work is driven by a desire to understand how biological, social, and environmental factors shape health outcomes across diverse populations. My research findings have made it clear that scientific discovery alone cannot close disparities in health outcomes; turning evidence into impact requires sustained investment in research, thoughtful policy, and genuine communication with the communities we aim to serve. Additionally, this field has taught me that disease burden is often unevenly distributed, and that identifying patterns of risk, access, and outcomes is essential for effective disease prevention and intervention. These convictions have shaped my belief that scientists are responsible not only for generating rigorous evidence, but also for advocating for the policies, resources, and public understanding that translate biomedical research into meaningful improvements in human health.

While a postdoctoral researcher, I have sought to expand my understanding of the pathway connecting policy decisions to biomedical research and public health impact. Beyond my research responsibilities, serving on detail with an administrative office has given me insight into how congressional appropriations and priorities influence funding, research opportunities, and ultimately the discoveries that advance human health. Seeing this process firsthand has deepened my appreciation for the role policy plays in shaping the research landscape and has strengthened my desire to engage more actively in science advocacy. While this experience has been invaluable, I recognize that I still have much to learn about the appropriations and legislative processes that shape research policy. To build this knowledge, I have explored coursework through the Georgetown Government Affairs Institute in the past but found the cost to be prohibitive. This has reinforced my desire to seek other experiential opportunities that provide direct exposure to the science policy process, so that I can continue to learn about this space.

The Howard Garrison Advocacy Fellowship offers an incredible opportunity to gain firsthand experience in science advocacy while learning how evidence informs policy decisions. Equally important, it would expose me to the diverse career paths in science policy and advocacy. Although I know I want to build a career in advocacy and policy, I am still exploring where my interests and skills can have the greatest impact. Learning from mentors and peers working across this landscape would provide valuable perspective as I shape my career, all while equipping me with the experience, insight, and professional network needed to become a more effective advocate for biomedical research.

Ultimately, I hope to become a biomedical scientist who not only conducts meaningful research in the neuroepidemiology field, but also one who helps shape the policies that support improved outcomes for patients. 

How do you plan to use the knowledge and experience gained through your participation in the Howard Garrison Advocacy Program?
I plan to use the knowledge and skills gained through the Howard Garrison Advocacy Fellowship to become a more effective advocate for biomedical research, for individuals affected by neurological disease, and the overall scientific community. The fellowship will provide experience communicating with policymakers, translating complex scientific findings for diverse audiences, and understanding how policy decisions shape research and healthcare.

In the short term, I will apply these skills in my current role as a postdoctoral researcher by strengthening my ability to communicate the impact of federally funded neuroscience research with stakeholders, and help improve the understanding, treatment, and prevention of neurological disorders. Additionally, I will continue to engage in advocacy initiatives through professional societies (like the American Aging Association).

Long term, I aspire to pursue a career at the intersection of biomedical research and science policy, including opportunities such as the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowship, where I can contribute to evidence-based policymaking and research strategy. My experiences in neuroepidemiology have shown me the impact of scientific discovery on patient outcomes, while my work at an administrative office has demonstrated that translating discoveries into impact requires thoughtful policy and advocacy work. The Howard Garrison Advocacy Fellowship will provide the skills, perspective, and network needed to help me bridge these fields and advance biomedical research through both science and policy.

Using no more than 250 words, describe your research as you would to a non-scientist.
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is cut off, damaging brain cells. Strokes affect 750,000 people in the United States (US) each year and remain a leading cause of death and long-term disability. After a stroke, many survivors notice changes in their memory, thinking, and ability to move. These changes can increase their risk of developing dementia in the future, but it is often difficult, time-consuming, and expensive to determine the individuals at greatest risk. Earlier identification could enable targeted interventions, such as lifestyle changes and improved medical care, to improve quality of life and long-term outcomes.

My research looks for accessible, early warning signs that could help healthcare providers identify stroke survivors who may develop dementia in the future. I study whether changes in memory, thinking, and walking speed can predict dementia years before symptoms become severe. I used data from thousands of older adults tracked in a multi-year study. I found that stroke survivors were more likely to develop dementia if they had both mild memory problems and slower walking speed. This was true even among people with milder strokes, suggesting that everyday changes may help identify individuals at risk for dementia, regardless of stroke severity.

The goal of my work is to help healthcare providers identify stroke survivors at risk for future dementia using accessible measures that could eventually be incorporated into routine primary care settings. Catching problems early may help stroke survivors maintain independence longer, ease family burden, and improve long-term outcomes.

Briefly describe any past or present participation in additional career exploration activities, experiences, and/or programs.
Although I have always been drawn to research, during graduate school I recognized that an academic career was not the right fit for me. However, I valued identifying complex problems, interpreting evidence, and developing solutions. Unsure of what careers outside academia looked like, I sought opportunities to explore alternative paths.

As the Graduate Student Representative to the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors, I advocated for graduate student perspectives in discussions with university leadership. This experience introduced me to higher-education policy and the value of collaborating with stakeholders to address complex challenges. It sparked my interest in pursuing a career combining high-level decision-making with stakeholder engagement. When I began my postdoctoral training, I pursued opportunities to further explore these interests.

As a postdoctoral researcher, I have explored policy work through a detail within an administrative office. Here, I have learned how congressional appropriations are developed and how they directly shape the institute's work. While this experience has provided valuable exposure to this process, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of policy development and explore how I can contribute meaningfully.

These experiences have confirmed my interest in policy work while highlighting questions I hope to explore: where my skills can have the greatest impact and how I can translate my scientific training into a policy career. This fellowship would provide the mentorship, experience, and perspective needed to identify where I can make the greatest impact and build a career in science policy.

Emily Tirrell is a member of the American Aging Association.