Nicole Parker, Ph.D.
Dr. Nicole Parker is a seasoned health policy professional, specializing in the intersection of health and biomedical, behavioral, and social sciences research. At Lewis-Burke, she focuses on federal research policy, grants policy, and education and workforce policy, particularly within key agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), and other grant-making bodies under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Leveraging her background as a biomedical researcher, Nicole effectively connects with clients aiming to expand their biomedical research and health-funding portfolios. Her prior role as a federal contractor in various NIH offices uniquely positions her to help clients navigate the agency's priorities and operations.
During her tenure at Lewis-Burke, she has successfully supported a diverse array of clients, including universities, non-profits, societies, and foundations. Her comprehensive understanding of these fields, coupled with her passion for driving positive change, underscores her effectiveness in advancing health policy objectives and fostering innovation in biomedical research.
Issue Expertise: Biomedical research, research and grants policy, graduate education, biomedical training and workforce, STEM education, and broadening participation in STEM.
Additional Expertise: Before joining Lewis-Burke, Dr. Nicole Parker served as a Science Policy Analyst at Ripple Effect, a management consulting firm providing services to federal, private, and non-profit clients. During her tenure, she contributed to impactful projects within prestigious institutions such as the NIH and the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS). Nicole's exemplary work ethic and expertise were further honed during her tenure as a Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellow at The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. In this role, she worked with the Board on Higher Education and Workforce, solidifying her dedication to science policy, particularly in the realms of education and workforce development.
Vital Statistics:
Dr. Nicole Parker earned her Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in 2017. Her doctoral research focused on elucidating the role of the growth factor GDNF in the replication and differentiation of stem cells in the testis. Nicole is also a proud graduate of the Meyerhoff Scholarship Program at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, with a minor in sociology, in 2011.
In her leisure time, Nicole cherishes moments with her family and dedicates herself to service activities with her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She also enjoys participating in her monthly book club, a testament to her enduring curiosity and passion for lifelong learning.
Rebecca Adler Miserendino, Ph.D.
Dr. Rebecca Adler Miserendino is a public health and environmental scientist with over fifteen years of professional experience in academic research, the federal government, and government relations. She has worked across scientific disciplines and in the international arena to understand budget and policy trends, enhance institutional effectiveness, and to identify emerging opportunities relevant to the research and higher education communities. Dr. Adler Miserendino leads Lewis-Burkes environmental and international focused issue groups and drives advocacy and consulting strategies to enable clients to compete for federal funds, shape new programs, build international engagement, develop coalitions, and raise their profile with key policy stakeholders.
Issue Expertise: Environmental and life sciences, environmental health sciences, climate change, natural resource management, risk assessment, foreign affairs, multilateral negotiations, and international development.
Additional Experience: Prior to joining Lewis-Burke, Dr. Adler Miserendino was a Senior Adviser, Foreign Affairs Officer, and Physical Scientist at the U.S. Department of State (DOS) in the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, serving in both the Office of Global Change (OES/EGC) and the Office of Environmental Quality and Transboundary Issues (OES/EQT). In this capacity, she negotiated on behalf of the United States and advised senior U.S. officials on a variety of crosscutting matters to advance U.S. global environment, climate, and health priorities; and to safeguard the role of science in policy decision-making. While at DOS, Dr. Adler Miserendino covered topics relating to international climate and environment finance, serving as the lead adviser on the Green Climate Fund, the Global Environment Facility, and on specific aspects under the Multilateral Development Banks. In these roles, she was invited to participate in and/or provide advice to several U.S. delegations including: the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change; UN Forum on Forests; Minamata Convention on Mercury, the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions; UN Convention on Biological Diversity; and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification. Additionally, Dr. Adler Miserendino managed a portfolio of U.S. multilateral and bilateral investments and policy initiatives in clean energy, emerging markets, and climate resilience worth over $1.04 billion –to include helping to secure related budget requests.
Dr. Adler Miserendino was a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto, in the Department of Earth Sciences, and a Graduate Research Fellow at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, where she explored the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of artisanal and small-scale gold mining in Suriname, Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador. While at Johns Hopkins, Rebecca also earned a Certificate in Risk Sciences and Public Policy.
Vital Statistics: Rebecca was born in St. Louis, Missouri and holds a dual Bachelor of Science in Biology and the History and Philosophy of Science, from the California Institute of Technology. As a 2006-2007 T.J. Watson Fellow, Rebecca examined the respective roles of government, industry, academia, and civil society in addressing region-specific mine water issues in South Africa, Zambia, Australia, and India. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, volunteering, swimming, and spending time with her husband and two sons.
Otto Katt
As a former educator, Otto Katt brings a passion to his workforce and education policy and advocacy work in his Workforce Practice Group Chair role. In addition to those areas, he brings experience in immigration, economic development, research, and tax policy on behalf of Lewis-Burke clients. Otto provides strategic guidance on legislative, administrative, and regulatory issues at the Department of Education (ED) and Department of Labor (DOL), in addition to other federal agencies. He leverages his professional knowledge and expertise, gained while working in the K-12 space and at the state and federal policy level, to provide timely insight and support to a wide range of clients, including institutions and systems of higher education, associations, foundations, and coalitions on key education and workforce policy issues including federal student financial aid, workforce development legislation, ed R&D, the evolving higher education landscape, and the “business” of higher education.
Before joining Lewis-Burke, Otto served as the Education Advisor for Representative Phil Roe, a member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee. While there, he proposed and developed education and workforce development policies for the congressman. He also staffed and advised the congressman at Education and Workforce Committee meetings and district events and engaged various interest groups, stakeholder groups, and agencies regarding pertinent legislation.
Issue Expertise: K-12 and STEM education policy, higher education policy, workforce development policy, federal research policy, student financial aid, accreditation, “business” of higher education.
Additional Experience: Otto has worked in education as a teacher, administrator, and policy analyst in New Jersey, Massachusetts, and North Carolina. These experiences include serving as a Teach For America Corps member.
Vital Statistics: Otto received his B.A. in History from The College of New Jersey and his Masters in International Studies: Latin America from the University of Connecticut. He grew up in New Jersey, runs the occasional marathon, and enjoys exploring far Southeast DC with his family.