by Drs. Ale Villegas Lopez and Jennifer Bean
On July 15, 2026, MOST Fellows Drs. Jennifer Bean and Ale Villegas Lopez, accompanied by Executive Director Dr. Allison Davis, traveled to Washington University's Bursky School of Public Health in St. Louis to speak to the Office of Innovation (OI) summer interns. The visit was part of the OI’s weekly lunch & learn series, which exposes interns to applied public health topics and professional development opportunities. MOST was invited to lead a session on public health, policy, and how change actually happens, drawing on their experience working at the intersection of science and policymaking in Missouri.
Dr. Davis opened with an introduction to MOST Policy Initiative and its role in providing nonpartisan research to the Missouri legislature. Fellows shared their career paths and how they arrived at the intersection of science and policy. Interns asked thoughtful questions about staying nonpartisan and finding careers where science and public service align.
Dr. Villegas Lopez walked interns through the process by which a bill becomes a law in Missouri, from bill introduction to the Governor’s signature (or veto). She highlighted where MOST’s research fits in the process and taught interns how to share their own opinions or expertise.
To illustrate the process in action, Dr. Bean presented an example of a health-related bill introduced over several legislative sessions. Multiple cohorts of MOST Policy Fellows researched, wrote, and revised Science Notes on the topic, updating data through the years and providing testimony as requested. In July 2026, Governor Mike Kehoe signed the bill into law.
Following the discussion with interns, MOST met with leaders of the research hubs within the Office of Innovation to learn about their current projects and long-term goals. Their work on complex regional health issues underscores the strength of Missouri's scientific community and opportunities to connect academic research with state-level policymaking.