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Northeastern University student Siima Machayo is interested in science policy.
So last summer she went to her source, working as an intern in the White House Office of Science and Technology.
“The opportunity to be in the White House and have a place in shaping policy solutions that will advance American technology and science leadership for the advancement of all people was really exciting,” says Machayo, a junior studying behavioral neuroscience and social innovation and entrepreneurship. .
She was an intern at the White House Office of Science and Technology, where she served on the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), a group of CEOs, top university presidents, and nonprofit leaders in science and technology.
The group is charged with making science, technology and innovation policy recommendations to the president and the White House.
“It was really interesting to hear about the intersection between policy and issue expertise in a real-world application,” says Machayo.
Her efforts led to the publication of a report on the progress of nutrition science in the United States highlighting “the critical intersection of nutrition, public health, and economic well-being.”
For a pre-med student like Machayo, it was a motivating experience.
“It helped me deepen my understanding of how nutrition affects mental and physical health and how socio-economic factors, location and demographics really affect how people access nutrition and how it relates to other conditions chronic,” says Machayo. “Looking down the road, I hope to apply this to my future medical career and advocate for holistic approaches that consider both nutrition and mental health in patient care.”
Machayo says she was drawn to the White House and working in politics as a member of a “very civically engaged family” in Northern Virginia. In fact, her brother is a member of the White House staff.
When she saw that the White House Office of Science and Technology was offering an internship, she thought it was “the opportunity of a lifetime.”
This summer was also a pretty interesting time to be in Washington, Machayo says, with the presidential campaign and President Joe Biden’s decision to drop out of the race.
Machayo says a big part of her experience was taking advantage of the opportunity to volunteer—doing everything from handing out ice cream at a White House July 4 event to helping with AI Aspirations, an event that invited leaders to project a vision for using artificial intelligence to achieve the country’s ambitions.
“It was really cool to learn about the people who have dedicated their lives to making sure that AI is used in a smart and great way that benefits all Americans,” says Machayo. “You often seem to hear it more in a negative connotation, but it was inspiring to see that the leaders who make some of the most important decisions are thinking about it in a positive light.”
Then there were the connections to be made – with staff, medical professionals and other practitioners.
“I’ve never had so many coffee conversations,” says Machayo. “I was very inspired by their work and how they got to where they are today and the decisions they had to make.”
Machayo says it was especially inspiring to see such a diverse representation.
“My mom always said, ‘You can’t be what you can’t see,'” says Machayo. “So it was really profound to be in spaces where I could see people who were like me, who are doctors, people who are minorities, who taught me the importance of resilience, but also what helped them along the way to get there. “
As for other students looking to go on a White House team, Machayo has some advice she’s gleaned from experience.
“Be open-minded and proactive in attending events or something you want to pitch,” says Machayo. “Everyone I’ve met has always been willing to listen to you and hear your ideas. Your voice matters.”
Even for the president of the United States.
“He took 10 minutes and spoke to the entire intern class and told us to keep doing the work we’re doing and that we inspire him,” Machayo recalled. “It’s crazy because he inspires me.”
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