Society for Science National Leadership Council Co-Chairs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Society for Science is pleased to announce that Catherine Havasi and Kevin Heller have been named Co-Chairs of the Society’s National Leadership Council, which is composed of alumni leaders from all three of the Society’s science competitions. The council seeks to promote the Society’s goals and our alumni, creating a spirit of unity and support.

“I am thrilled to announce Catherine and Kevin as Co-Chairs of the NLC,” said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO, Society for Science and Executive Publisher of Science News. “Their leadership, dedication and passion for our mission will be instrumental in strengthening our alumni community, fostering connections and inspiring the next generation of scientists and innovators. I look forward to the impact they will make in advancing our shared goals.”

Catherine Havasi specializes in artificial intelligence and natural language processing and how organizations innovate and operationalize emerging technologies. She is a serial entrepreneur who has founded and exited companies in customer service, financial services, and dual-use. She previously held a research scientist position at MIT Media Lab, where she started the project that created the AI resource ConceptNet and authored numerous peer reviewed publications. She is currently building a new stealth mode venture in the national interest space. Catherine received her S.B. and M. Eng from MIT and her Ph.D. in Computer Science from Brandeis University. Catherine is an alumnus of the Science Talent Search 1999 and the International Science and Engineering Fair 1996, 1998 and 1999.

Kevin Heller is a biotech executive, physician-scientist, and drug developer with over 20 years of experience in oncology research in academia and industry. His experience spans across all stages of oncology drug development from discovery (academia) and pre-IND through commercialization and business development. He participated in the development of multiple FDA approved drugs. He received his Bachelor’s degree in molecular biophysics and biochemistry from Yale University and his medical degree from George Washington University before training in pediatrics and then pediatric hematology/oncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Following his fellowship, Heller joined the faculty at Rockefeller University as Instructor and subsequently Chief Clinical Scholar of Clinical Investigation in the laboratory of Ralph Steinman. Heller is an alumnus of the Science Talent Search 1989.

About Society for Science

Society for Science is a champion for science, dedicated to promoting the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement. Established in 1921, Society for Science is best known for its award-winning journalism through Science News and Science News Explores, its world-class science research competitions for students, including the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, and the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, and its STEM Outreach programming that seeks to ensure that all students have an opportunity to pursue a career in STEM. A 501(c)(3) membership organization, Society for Science is committed to inform, educate and inspire. Learn more at www.societyforscience.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat (Society4Science).