How to Engage with Science Policy and Advocacy at ASPET
By Marah Wahbeh, PhD, and Carter L. Alleman, JD, CAE
In the December 2025 edition of The Pharmacologist, we reflected on the past year and provided an overview of ASPET’s efforts in helping you advance the science of drug discovery and therapeutics through advocacy. Much of ASPET’s efforts in science policy and advocacy would not be possible without our dedicated member volunteers. Scientists’ engagement with policymakers, who enact policies that influence biomedical research for decades, is necessary. While involvement may seem challenging and time-consuming, active participation in a science society, like ASPET, offers scientists multiple avenues to contribute and shape policy that directly affects the work of pharmacologists.
The following are a few ways for you to volunteer your time with ASPET this coming year. We also want to highlight our current member volunteers who have dedicated their time to support ASPET’s science policy and advocacy initiatives.
1. Volunteer to serve on ASPET’s Science Policy Committee (SPC) and Subcommittees
ASPET’s advocacy work would not be possible without the dedication of our member volunteers. The SPC, chaired by David Cabrera, helps ASPET identify and respond to issues of interest to the pharmacology community. This includes proposing policy statements and developing ways to increase ASPET’s visibility with policy makers. The SPC oversees 5 subcommittees: Drug Research policy (DRP), Washington Fellow Program Subcommittee (WFP), Early Career Scientist Policy (ECS), Policy and Advocacy Education Outreach (PAEO), and Animals in Research Policy (AIR), chaired by Peter Winsauer, Adam Kuszak and Lindsey Galbo-Thomma, Sophia Kaska and Michelle Walker, and Catherine Davis-Takacs, respectively. Each committee works to advance ASPET’s involvement in different policy issues that impact pharmacology. The work includes monitoring relevant policy changes, providing recommendations for the SPC, and generating educational content for ASPET members, Congress, and the public. Most recently DRP published a whitepaper on cannabis rescheduling and PAEO worked with ASPET staff to create the newest advocacy resource page. We encourage all ASPET members to consider joining and contributing to this important work. Applications open in the spring.
2. Responding to Action Alerts
Did you know ASPET has an action center? Linked here you will find ASPET’s latest grassroots advocacy campaigns promoting you to support certain messaging and sharing your story with your elected officials. All ASPET members are automatically subscribed to receive an email with latest action alerts on the Action Center! Power advocates are members who engage in over 66% of our action alerts. Here is a list of this past year’s power advocates:
David Cabrera
Jean Regal
Linda Bram
Mechanic Jordan
Xiaodong Cheng
Michael Wood
Angeline Lyon
Charles Francec
Elijah Ullman
Tenner Thomas
Lindsey Galbo Thomma
Dmitri Davydov
Uwe Rudolph
Kelly Karpa
Kleven Mark
John Cashman
Melissa Haliski
Paul Czoty
Clinton Canal
Michael Nader
Carol Paronis
Kristine Griffett
Greg Sartor
3. Join ASPET on a Capitol Hill Day
This year, ASPET will be sponsoring more members to join us on coalition Hill Days, like the Rally for Medical Research and PEER Hill Day in the Fall of 2026. Members who join us get a chance to share their science and advocate for science funding on Capitol Hill through meeting with their members of congress and their staff. If you are interested, please keep an eye out for an email asking for volunteers.
4. Invite ASPET to Local Science Meetings
If you are looking to educate scientists in your locale about how to meet with their members of congress or are looking to have an issue briefing, we have good news! ASPET will be on the road upon request this year to host workshops in your area. More to come on this!
