image: John Patrick “JP” Flores, recipient of the 2025 AIBS Emerging Public Policy Leadership Award (EPPLA).
Credit: Katherine Apuzzo
The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) is pleased to announce that John Patrick “JP” Flores has been selected to receive the 2025 AIBS Emerging Public Policy Leadership Award (EPPLA). The award recognizes graduate students in the biological sciences who have demonstrated leadership skills and an aptitude for working at the intersection of science and public policy.
JP Flores is a Ph.D. candidate in bioinformatics and computational biology at the University of North Carolina (UNC) in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He is interested in mechanisms of gene regulation, with his doctoral research focused on investigating the role of 3D chromatin structure in response to environmental stress. In 2024, Flores did a science policy internship at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of the Director Office of Science Policy, where he worked on developing a public vision and framework for including patient and community voices in the design and conduct of NIH-funded clinical research. He also serves as Director of External Affairs for the Science Policy and Advocacy Group at UNC.
Flores is an enthusiastic science communicator. Inspired by his journey as a first-generation college student, in 2020, he launched From where does it STEM?—a podcast born of his “passion for diversifying the scientific workforce.” As the host, he has interviewed influential scientists, such as former NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins and President of the National Academy of Sciences Dr. Marcia McNutt. In addition, Flores serves as senior editor for GeneBites, a blog that publishes articles about current research in genetics written by early-career scientists.
“I applied for the EPPLA because I believe that the intersection of science and policy can help us unlock and empower a new generation of scientists that will bring innovative and impactful solutions to society,” said Flores. He thinks it is critical for scientists to engage in policy. “By engaging in policy, we can start to share how our work impacts society with those outside of our scientific communities. Bridging policy and science can help fund the next breakthrough discovery and provide opportunities for individuals with identities that have been historically excluded from science to contribute in ways they could've never imagined.”
Since 2003, AIBS has recognized the achievements of biology graduate students who have demonstrated an interest and aptitude for making contributions to science and science policy. “AIBS is proud to recognize Mr. Flores for his outstanding contributions to science communication and policy,” said AIBS Chief Executive Officer Scott Glisson. “Year after year, we are continually impressed by the exceptional leadership and policy achievements demonstrated by the graduate students who apply for the Emerging Public Policy Leadership Award.”
Flores will travel to Washington, DC, in April to participate in an AIBS science communications training program and to meet with his members of Congress as part of the annual AIBS Congressional Visits Day. In addition, he will receive a one-year subscription to the scientific journal BioScience.
AIBS is also recognizing two additional outstanding leaders with an Honorable Mention award. Anna LoPresti is a Ph.D. candidate in ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado. Jon Judd is a Ph.D. student in genetics at Stanford University in Stanford, California. LoPresti and Judd will receive a one-year subscription to BioScience.
AIBS is the national organization dedicated to promoting informed decision-making that advances the biological sciences for the benefit of science and society. The EPPLA program is one way that AIBS builds the capacity of the scientific community to promote sound decision-making. The EPPLA program is made possible by the generous financial support of AIBS donors. More information about the EPPLA program and AIBS is available at https://www.aibs.org/.
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