David Cwiertny, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering and director of the Public Policy Center’s Environmental Policy Research Program, has been selected to serve as minority staff for the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce. His appointment is a part of his role as a 2016–17 Congressional Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). 

AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships provide opportunities for scientists and engineers to learn firsthand about policymaking while contributing their knowledge and analytical skills in the federal policy realm. Cwiertny, also an associate faculty research engineer at IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering, is one of only two fellows chosen among more than 100 applicants. 

In his role, Cwiertny will primarily work on subcommittees related to energy and power and environment and the economy, whose jurisdictions broadly include all legislation and regulation development for clean air, water, soil and energy. He will serve as a technical expert for the committee staff, developing and amending legislation, organizing hearings, preparing talking points and questions for hearings, and drafting press releases, among other responsibilities.