Dr. Luz Cumba Garcia
Dr. Luz Cumba Garcia is an immunologist, policy advisor, and award-winning science communicator with over 15 years of experience spanning academia, government, and the private sector. She works at the intersection of science, global health policy, and diplomacy, advancing evidence-informed approaches to international collaboration.
She is an Independent Consultant with Lewis-Burke Associates, where she advises on international engagement and global policy strategy. Her work focuses on providing strategic guidance on collaborative opportunities, helping organizations navigate complex international science and policy landscapes, and delivering actionable insights to support clients’ global initiatives.
She brings a unique combination of deep scientific training, U.S. foreign policy experience, and science diplomacy expertise, with a career spanning the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), global health programs such as the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and international research cooperation initiatives.
Issue Expertise: Global health policy, health systems strengthening, biomedical research policy, international science and technology cooperation, international development, foreign affairs, science diplomacy, science policy, evidence-informed policymaking, capacity building in low- and middle-income countries, science communication, public engagement, and regulatory affairs.
Additional Experience: Dr. Cumba Garcia most recently served as an Advisor for Sustainability at the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy, where she supported PEPFAR in advancing sustainable global health policies and strengthening health systems in low- and middle-income countries. In this role, she contributed to policy development, interagency coordination, and technical assistance to country programs, with a focus on long-term sustainability and country ownership.
She is an alumna of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science & Technology Policy Fellowship, during which she served at both the U.S. Department of State and USAID. At the State Department, within the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs’ Office of Mexican Affairs (WHA/MEX), she managed the Environment, Science, Technology, and Health (ESTH) portfolio and advanced U.S.–Mexico cooperation on global health and regulatory issues. Her work included coordinating U.S. government responses to transboundary health threats such as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and supporting bilateral and regional regulatory cooperation. She also contributed to regional initiatives such as the Economic and Health Dialogue of the Americas (EHA), including organizing a regulatory reliance meeting that convened more than 70 delegates from 12 countries.
During her fellowship at USAID, within the Bureau for the Middle East’s Middle East Regional Cooperation (MERC) Program, she supported Arab–Israeli scientific collaboration in a complex geopolitical environment. She served on an interagency review committee, evaluated research proposals, and engaged researchers across the Middle East and North Africa, strengthening her ability to operate in politically sensitive, multicultural contexts while maintaining scientific rigor and development objectives.
Prior to her federal service and current consulting role, Dr. Cumba Garcia served as a Policy Advisor at Lewis-Burke Associates, advising clients on federal policy and international affairs. She is also the founder of SciPolicy Global Strategies LLC, a consulting firm providing strategic advisory, capacity-building, and communications services at the intersection of science, policy, and international affairs.
Her regional experience in Latin America and the Caribbean includes a fellowship with the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI). She is a founding member of the Science Diplomacy Network in Latin America and the Caribbean (DiploCientifica), a member of the Global Young Academy (GYA), and serves on the International Science Council (ISC) Regional Focal Point for Latin America and the Caribbean (RFP-LAC) Partnerships Committee.
Vital Statistics: Dr. Cumba Garcia holds a Ph.D. in Immunology from Mayo Clinic, an M.S. in Immunology from the University of Granada (Spain), and a B.S. in Cellular and Molecular Biology from Universidad Metropolitana in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She is the recipient of the 2020 Science Defender Award from the Union of Concerned Scientists for Spanish-language science communication during the COVID-19 pandemic. A proud Puerto Rican, she is deeply committed to advancing equity, international collaboration, and public engagement in science and policy. She enjoys traveling and exercising.
Kate Owens
As a Legislative Research Assistant, Kate supports Lewis-Burke by conducting research and tracking legislative developments to provide clients with actionable insights in the environment, health, and agriculture policy areas. She brings a strong background in environmental policy and regulatory affairs, along with hands-on experience in both the public and private sectors. The agencies Kate primarily covers are the National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Science Foundation (NSF), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
Issue Expertise: Environment, health, agriculture
Additional Experience: Prior to joining Lewis-Burke, Kate served as a Corporate Sustainability Intern with MITRE, where she managed the company-wide greenhouse gas inventory and strengthened employee engagement with sustainable initiatives. Previously, Kate interned at CropLife America as a Science and Regulatory Affairs Intern, where she synthesized EPA regulatory updates and wrote newsletters for stakeholders. On campus, she was a Peer Leader with the Office of Sustainability, leading projects on environmental justice, and making events on campus more sustainable.
Vital Statistics: Kate grew up in Arlington, VA outside of Washington, DC. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and a minor in climate and society earning summa cum laude honors and leadership distinction in civic and professional engagement. She also studied abroad at the University of Dubrovnik in Croatia, widening her global perspective and inspiring her love for travel. Kate enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, painting, and eating sushi.
Advancing Major Legislation to Support Philanthropic Organization's Efforts
Lewis-Burke began working with a philanthropic organization that developed and supported a bill stalled in action following its introduction over a year prior. Lewis-Burke immediately began working with the organization to develop and implement a comprehensive legislative advocacy strategy that leveraged its existing congressional champions and utilized the firm's own network to expand them.
The firm also worked alongside the organization with key congressional committees and congressional leadership to find consensus on the bill's final language and ensure its progression. In addition, Lewis-Burke collaborated with the organization's advocacy and communications teams to continuously develop and finalize targeted messaging for its efforts that aligned with the current congressional climate and adapted as the bill moved forward. Despite a highly polarized Congress with little legislative movement, the bill passed the House with strong bipartisan support. Lewis-Burke then worked with the organization to refine and implement its strategy to focus on multiple different pathways for the bill's final passage. Through these efforts, the bill was passed by the Senate and signed into law by the President, with the client being prominently featured at a bill signing ceremony with the President.
Accelerating Results, Partnerships, and Advances in Health
Now in its third year, the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) presents both opportunities and challenges for the scientific community. Lewis-Burke provides tailored, strategic support for its clients across sectors to help organizations influence the agency's directions and secure funding for high-risk, high-reward research projects. As ARPA-H hired its inaugural leadership, mission officer directors, and program managers, Lewis-Burke facilitated introductions to key staff and coached clients on how to effectively present their capabilities, seed ideas for new initiatives, and position themselves for future opportunities. Lewis-Burke worked with both research leaders and individual faculty at universities to help align proposals with ARPA-H's explicit and implicit expectations for success. Lewis-Burke used its network of contacts and deep agency expertise to ensure clients had the most up-to-date intelligence and informed forecasts of future trends and programs, further giving them an edge in competing for funding. Concurrently, Lewis-Burke has worked to bolster congressional support for ARPA-H, through advocacy for increased topline funding for the agency, specific support for key components of the agency that benefit clients, and protection of the agency's interests in harmful structural reform conversations. Lewis-Burke clients have had remarkable success in navigating ARPA-H, with several organizations already securing multimillion dollar research and management awards and many more positioned as potential future performers through their involvement with the agency's health innovation network.
Keaton Dicapo
Keaton supports Lewis Burke by utilizing his research background to track policy and legislative developments for clients, providing them with unique insight into the areas of public health, biomedical research, environmental impacts, and product safety. He further assists clients in navigating the changing dynamics of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), among others.
Issue Expertise: Healthcare, public health, public safety, environment, energy.
Additional Experience: Prior to joining Lewis-Burke, Keaton interned in the Louisiana House of Representatives and worked on a gubernatorial and District Attorney campaign in Tennessee. He also interned at a land-use consulting firm in Nashville where he worked on community development and energy projects, solidifying his love for energy and environmental policy. Keaton moved to Washington, DC, in 2024 working to support projects in the energy, healthcare, infrastructure, and education sectors. Most recently, he worked at a trade association for health insurance brokers where he managed state affairs, worked on federal policy initiatives, and assisted with the association’s PAC.
Vital Statistics: Keaton is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and lived there until leaving for boarding school. He received his bachelor's degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from Rhodes College. Keaton and his significant other, Kate, live in DC’s historic Foggy Bottom neighborhood, where he serves as the Vice Chair of the Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC). Outside of work and the ANC, Keaton spends his time baking, writing poems and short stories, reading, and playing guitar. Keaton also enjoys watching sports, particularly the New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Penguins.
Michael Peterson
Michael Peterson serves as a Principal at Lewis-Burke Associates, utilizing over a decade of congressional and agency experience to promote client interests, advance their long-term goals, and improve their relationships with stakeholders in both Capitol Hill and in the Executive Branch. In particular, Michael specializes in advising organizations and achieving results in the health policy space and in congressional appropriations.
Prior to joining Lewis-Burke, Michael served as a senior staffer in the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations’ (FDA) congressional appropriations office, as well as led the Agency’s policy engagements with state, local, tribal, and territorial officials and related associations. He also served as the Agency’s intergovernmental affairs liaison with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on critical topics such as foreign drug importation. During his tenure at the FDA, Michael worked with Appropriations Committee staff in Congress to secure important new funding for the Agency, including $10 million to permanently establish the first program to enhance U.S. supply chain resilience for medical devices. In addition to his Agency experience, Michael also served as Legislative Director for former Congressman Peter J. Visclosky (IN-01), a senior appropriations cardinal. During his time in this role, Michael coordinated efforts to successfully secure funding from HHS to assist Indiana safety net hospitals during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Issue Expertise: Congressional appropriations, federal health policy
Additional Experience: In addition to Michael’s work on health policy, he is also experienced in both appropriations and authorizing matters regarding education, agriculture, tax, and other issues. Further, Michael is well-versed in matters concerning transportation and environmental infrastructure funding, having previously worked with partners during the first Trump Administration to secure a $354.6 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration to expand the South Shore Rail Line operating between Northwest Indiana and Chicago. He is also proud to have worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to secure approximately $20 million in new funding increases for environmental infrastructure projects in his home district.
Vital Statistics: Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Valparaiso University. In his free time, Michael enjoys catching up on tv and movies with his wife and taking his son to the park.
Isabelle Arbetter
Isabelle Arbetter leverages her experience in healthcare, consulting, and Congress to support Lewis-Burke clients on their federal priorities. She provides valuable insights into the fields of biomedical research, public health, biosecurity, and biosafety. Isabelle identifies and emphasizes opportunities for clients to build relationships with federal partners, secure funding for key programs, and advocate for their funding and health policy goals.
Issue Expertise: Biomedical Research, Biosecurity, Public Health
Additional Experience: Prior to joining Lewis-Burke, Isabelle was a Consultant at Deloitte where she supported several federal health agencies in addressing healthcare priorities relating to access to care and the patient experience. She was also involved with Deloitte’s innovation practice, Doblin, in which she conducted research on the intersection between public health and human-centered design, understanding the future of the patient experience given past, present, and future trends. Isabelle has prior internship experience with the Normandy Group,
Illinois State Senator Julie Morrison, and Representative Brad Schneider (IL-10).
Vital Statistics: Hailing from the Windy City of Chicago, Isabelle graduated cum laude from Miami University with a bachelor's degree in political science and minors in marketing and rhetoric/writing. During her undergraduate studies Isabelle was selected to participate in Miami University’s Inside Washington program, which sparked her passion for healthcare policy. In her free time, Isabelle enjoys attending concerts, musicals, singing, playing the piano, and exploring the DMV with family and friends.
Zak Kukoff
Zak Kukoff has over a decade of experience in the technology and venture capital sectors, focusing on early-stage investments and entrepreneurship. Zak works closely with founders, startups, and investors to help them navigate Washington and the government.
As the firm’s Tech and Venture Practice Chair, Zak is a leading voice in the startup and investment community, advocating for technological progress. He leverages his experience as both a founder and investor to provide valuable insights to Lewis-Burke clients. Zak also serves as a Non-Resident Senior Fellow to the Foundation on American Innovation and a Visiting Fellow at George Mason University’s National Security Institute.
Prior to joining Lewis-Burke, Zak was a venture capitalist at General Catalyst, where he served on the boards of companies like Overjet, Vial, and Luminai. He also founded and sold an education technology company.
Issue Expertise: Venture capital, startup ecosystems, healthcare technology, deep technology, entrepreneurship in higher education, family foundations, and emerging technology trends.
Vital Statistics: Zak earned his Bachelor of Arts in behavioral economics from New York University. From a family connection to Autism, he also founded Autism Ambassadors, a non-profit organization that teaches neurotypical students how to support their peers on the autism spectrum and remains active in supporting it today.
Anjali Tadavarthy
Anjali assists Lewis-Burke clients by tracking legislative developments and funding opportunities in the areas of public health, health delivery, biosecurity, and global health and security. With a background in health policy and international security , she provides insights on programs and policies across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Defense Health Enterprise.
Issue Expertise: Public Health, Health Delivery, Biosecurity, Global Health and Security Defense Health, Biomedical Research, Social Determinants, and Prevention Science.
Additional Experience: Prior to joining Lewis-Burke Associates, Anjali interned with Senator Tina Smith (MN) in her DC office, where she gained an understanding of various aspects of health policy and helped constituents navigate federal agencies. Anjali also interned with the Organization for Security Co-Operation Europe Parliamentary Assembly. During this experience, Anjali gained expertise in communication, negotiation, and research regarding multifaceted international issues.
Vital Statistics: Originally from St. Paul, Minnesota, Anjali graduated summa cum laude from Rhodes College with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Studies. Outside of the office, she enjoys cooking and baking, and exploring new cities.