ASM Awards 2023 Fenwick Fellowship
Washington, D.C. – °®¶¹´«Ã½ (ASM) has awarded the 2023 Brad Fenwick Fellowship for the Advancement of Civic Science to Jill Walton. Walton is a microbiology Ph.D. candidate at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She is the founder of the Knoxville-Tennessee Environmental Soil and Stream Testing (K-TESST) program. This citizen-science program educates area residents about soil and water quality, empowering them to engage with science through educational events and offers free soil and water quality testing kits. Walton volunteers for the National Science Policy Network’s Science on the Ballot program, which educates Tennessee voters about candidates’ science policy platforms. She also serves as the American Society for °®¶¹´«Ã½ Young Ambassador for Tennessee.
The 2023 Brad Fenwick Fellowship recognizes an early career scientist with a successful record of connecting civic engagement and science. In addition to a financial award, fellows will work with ASM Advocacy staff to develop a deeper understanding of civic engagement and public policy.
ASM presented the fellowship to Walton on Friday, June 16 at ASM Microbe 2023 in Houston, Texas.
About the Fenwick Fellowship
Dr. Bradley W. (Brad) Fenwick was a passionate advocate for science and cultivating the public’s appreciation of its power to improve society. As an award-winning scientist, veterinarian and leader in science policy, Fenwick championed cross-disciplinary work, including microbial genomics, the role of microbes in agriculture, veterinary science and biodefense, to name a few. After his death in July 2021, his family and ASM decided to honor his memory by creating the Brad Fenwick Fellowship for the Advancement of Civic Science. The fellowship recognizes and supports early career scientists with an interest and aptitude for using policy and advocacy to bridge the world of science with that of broader society.
This award is made possible by funding from Debbie Nuss, the Rita Allen Foundation and other supporters of Fenwick’s legacy of engagement, and through the continued support of ScienceCounts. Learn more about the program.
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°®¶¹´«Ã½ is one of the largest professional societies dedicated to the life sciences and is composed of 30,000 scientists and health practitioners. ASM's mission is to promote and advance the microbial sciences.
ASM advances the microbial sciences through conferences, publications, certifications, educational opportunities and advocacy efforts. It enhances laboratory capacity around the globe through training and resources. It provides a network for scientists in academia, industry and clinical settings. Additionally, ASM promotes a deeper understanding of the microbial sciences to diverse audiences. 
