Andy Sanchez, M.F.A., Ph.D.

Senior Researcher, Sustainable Media Lab, Inholland University

andy (dot) sanchez (at) inholland (dot) nl
Twitter: @MrSanduchez
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-sanchez

Dr. Andy Sanchez’s research interests include science policy, digital rights, and algorithmic bias, with prior expertise in biosensors, point-of-care diagnostics, infectious disease monitoring, poetry, lyric essays, and popular music. He received his Ph.D. in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering in 2022. He is currently a Senior Researcher for the Sustainable Media Lab under Dr. Ben Wagner at Inholland University in The Hague, as well as the Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Science Policy & Governance.

Biography

Andy Sanchez is a Mexican American writer and engineer from Plymouth, Indiana. He pursued his BS in Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University, where he also received his Business Management Certificate for Engineers. While at A&M, he lead an international collaboration with Qatari students for his senior design project, coordinated the largest student-run career fair in the country, and engaged with Latinx high school students to introduce them to STEM careers. Later, Andy completed his MFA in Creative Writing at New York University. Andy’s thesis encompassed hybrid poems on family and identity; he also had the privilege of designing and teaching a writing course for undergraduates, and teaching poetry to hospitalized adults as a Goldwater Fellow.

Andy joined the Kirby Micro/Nanofluidics Laboratory in October 2016. His research focused on developing a novel biosensor for antibody detection, with ideal applications in infectious disease monitoring. This work included assay development, immunocapture, and material synthesis and conjugation, and Andy presented his findings for the American Chemical Society, the International Lyme & Associated Diseases Symposium, the Ohio State Emerging Engineers Series, and elsewhere. In 2022, he received the ACS Bridge Award, and was named an ACS Spotlight on Biomedical Technologies Presenter and a Division of Biochemical Technology Sci-Mix Presenter. He defended his doctoral research in May 2022.

In addition to his research, Andy continued his outreach efforts by organizing events to support high school girls and Latinx undergraduates considering STEM career paths. He was also an active member of Cornell’s science policy & communication community. He organized a regional science communication conference (ComSciCon-NY 2018); wrote extensively on racial bias in AI, with deliverables including a technical report, an OpEd, and a policy memo; and competed in the Healthcare division of the MIT Policy Hackathon. He was named a 2018 Civic Engagement Fellow, and hosted a departmental science policy workshop as well as a campaign for voter registration and participation. He lectured extensively on translating scientific material for general audiences and helped student groups develop advocacy plans on a range of topics. He served as President for the Cornell student group, Advancing Science and Policy.

He now works as a Senior Researcher in Society, Media, and Technology for the Sustainable Media Lab at Inholland University in The Hague, under the supervision of Dr. Ben Wagner. In this capacity, he publishes on the ethical frameworks of different engineering disciplines, provides policy guidance to safeguard digital rights in the EU, and co-develops coursework and community partnerships for the Lab. He also serves as the Editor-in-Chief at the Journal of Science Policy & Governance, supporting early career researchers working at the intersection of science & policy.

Conferences and Presentations

• Invited Oral Presentation. “Utilizing the Antibody-Catalyzed Water Oxidation Pathway to Design a Point-of-Care Sensor for Infectious Diseases.” Sanchez, A. American Chemical Society Spring 2022 Meeting, Spotlight on Biomedical Technologies. San Diego, CA, 2022.
• Sci-Mix Poster Presenter, Representative for Division on Biochemical Technology. “Utilizing the Antibody-Catalyzed Water Oxidation Pathway to Design a Point-of-Care Sensor for Infectious Diseases.” Sanchez, A. American Chemical Society Spring 2022 Meeting. San Diego, CA, 2022
• Poster. “Utilizing the Antibody-Catalyzed Water Oxidation Pathway to Design a Point-of-Care Sensor for Infectious Diseases.” Sanchez, A. American Chemical Society Spring 2022 Meeting. San Diego, CA, 2022.
• Invited Speaker. “A Serological Alternative: An ACWOP-Based Point-of-Care Sensor for Infectious Diseases.” Sanchez, A. The Ohio State University Emerging Engineers Series. Online,.2021.
• Panelist. “Opportunities for Public Communication of Science.” Cornell Science Communication Workshop. Ithaca, NY. 2021.
• Oral Presentation. “A Serological Alternative: An ACWOP-Based Point-of-Care Sensor for Infectious Diseases.” Sanchez, A. Intel Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Graduate Research Symposium. Online. 2021.
• Poster. “A Serological Alternative: An ACWOP-Based Point-of-Care Sensor for Infectious Diseases with Potential Application in Lyme Disease Detection.” Sanchez, A. International Lyme & Associated Diseases Symposium. Online, 2020.
• Poet. “Acá Entre Nos,” “The Seer,” & “Negation.” Sanchez, A. Spring Writes Literary Festival. Ithaca, NY, 2020.
• Panelist. “Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion in Science Writing.” ComSciCon-SciWri Science Communication Conference. Online, 2020.
• Panelist, “What’s it like to pursue a STEM PhD Career?” New Visions Engineering for High Schoolers. Ithaca, NY. 2019.
• Poet & Panelist, Every Day We Get More Illegal Encore Performance, with Q&A. Borough of Manhattan Community College Working Writers Reading Series. New York, NY 2019.
• American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) Public Policy Institute for Rising Leaders. Washington, D.C., 2019.
• “ComSciCon-Cornell: A Multimedia Science Communication Workshop By And For Grad Students.” Marvin, J; Sanchez, A. American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Conference. Washington, D.C., 2019.
• “A Novel Sensor for Antibody Detection: ACWOP as a Tool for Lyme Disease Diagnosis,” Sanchez, A. Cornell University Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Symposium. Ithaca, NY, 2019.
• “ComSciCon-Cornell: A Multimedia Science Communication Workshop By And For Grad Students.” Sanchez, A; Marvin, J. National Science Policy Network Symposium. New York, NY, 2018.
• “Negation,” and “Acá Entre Nos.” Sanchez, A. EmotiveFruition and CantoMundo Present: Every Day We Get More Illegal. New York, NY, 2018.
• Panelist, “Underrepresented Minorities in STEM PhD Careers.” New Visions Engineering for High Schoolers. Ithaca, NY. 2018.
• Moderator, “How to Tell a Story” and “Navigating Dialogues in Controversial Topics.” ComSciCon-Cornell 2018 Workshop. Ithaca, NY 2018.
• Workshop participant, “Using Theater Techniques to Enhance Your Teaching.” GET SET Teaching Workshops, Cornell Center for Teaching Innovation. Ithaca, NY, 2018.
• Attendee, AAAS Mini-CASE (Catalyzing Advocacy in Science & Engineering) Workshop. Ithaca, NY, 2018.
• Attendee, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Conference. Austin, TX, 2018.
• “On Tunnel of Love and the Fear of Intimacy.” Sanchez, A. Franklin Electric Reading Series. New York, NY, 2018.
• “A Novel Bioensor for Lyme Disease,” Sanchez, A; Sundaram, P. Cornell University Mechanical Engineering Symposium. Ithaca, NY, 2018.
• Colman Leadership Seminar. Ithaca, NY, 2018.
• “A Novel Bioensor for Lyme Disease,” Sundaram, P; Sanchez, P. Cornell University Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Symposium. Ithaca, NY, 2018.
• Workshop participant, ComSciCon-Cornell 2017 Workshop. Ithaca, NY, 2017.
• Workshop participant, Intergroup Dialogue Project on Social Justice in STEM. Ithaca, NY, 2017.
• Association of Writers and Writing Programs Conference. Washington, D.C. 2017.
• Cornell University Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Symposium. Ithaca, NY, 2017.
• “Swimming at Low Reynolds Number” and “Safe Places,” Sanchez, A. Franklin Electric Reading Series. New York, NY, 2016.
• Summer Success Symposium. Ithaca, NY, 2016.
• “Other Voices.” Sanchez, A. NYU Creative Writing Program Graduation Reading Series. New York, NY, 2016.
• “My Father Is True to His Word.” Sanchez, A. KGB Emerging Writers Reading Series. New York, NY, 2016.
• “Collaborative Design of a Methanol Synthesis Facility.” Sanchez, A; Koliba, K; Mathew, R; Taha, S. Texas A&M Undergraduate Research Expo. College Station, TX, 2013.
• “Analysis of ZIF-7 Synthesis.” Sanchez, A. American Institute of Chemical Engineers Conference. Pittsburgh, PA, 2012.
• Business Today International Conference. New York, NY, 2011.
• Champe Fitzhugh Leadership Seminar. Castiglione Fiortino, Italy, 2009.
• Notre Dame University Latino Community Leadership Seminar (LCLS). South Bend, IN, 2008.
• Senator Richard G. Lugar Symposium for Tomorrow’s Leaders. Indianapolis, IN, 2007.
• Hugh O’Brien Youth (HOBY) Leadership Retreat. Indianapolis, IN, 2007.

Publications

• “For Scientists Across the Country, #ShutDownSTEM Stirs a Mix of Emotions.” Grizzell, J. A; Hariharan, J; Limper, C; Sanchez, A. Council for the Advancement of Science Writing, 2020.
• “A Policy Memorandum to the Partnership on AI: Accreditation and Educational Programs to Ensure Fairness in AI.” Sanchez, A; McDermott, K; Cintora, A. Journal of Science Policy & Governance, Vol 15, Issue 1, 2019.
• “Science Communication Workshop Aims to Engage STEM Researchers Across New York.” Marvin, J; Sanchez, A. WSKG, a local partner of NPR and PBS, 2019.
• “Negation,” and “Acá Entre Nos.” Sanchez, A. Every Day We Get More Illegal, 2018.
• “Unlearning Machine Bias.” Cintora, A; McDermott, K; Sanchez, A. The Cornell Daily Sun, 2018.
• “Van Helsing and Count Dracula Were Young Once, or Olive Juice.” Sanchez, A. The Beatest State in the Union: An Anthology of Beat Texas Writing, 2016.
• “Crumpled Photographs” and “Searching for a Sound.” Sanchez, A. vandal., 2012.

Honors and Awards

• American Chemical Society Bridge Award (2022)
• ACS Spotlight on Biomedical Technologies Presenter (2022)
• ACS Division of Biochemical Technology 2022 Sci-Mix Presenter
• Alfred P. Sloan Fellow | Cornell University (2016-2022)
• AAAS Catalyzing Advocacy in Science & Engineering Workshop | Selected by Cornell University (2020, cancelled due to COVID-19)
• Shortlist for Redivider 2018 “Blurred Genre Contest” | Redivider Journal)
• Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Civic Engagement Fellow | Cornell University (2018)
• Goldwater Fellow | New York University (2015-2016)
• Rhodes Scholarship Finalist (2013)
• Chemical Engineering Outstanding Graduating Senior | Texas A&M University (2013)
• Craig Brown Outstanding Senior Engineer Award | Texas A&M University (2013)
• American Chemical Society Scholar (2009-2013)
• Charles Gordone Poetry Award | Texas A&M University (2011)

Science Policy, Communication, & Outreach

• Editor-in-Chief , Journal of Science Policy & Governance (2020-Present)
  • Editor-in-Chief (2023-Present), Assistant Editor-in-Chief of Special Editions (2021-2023), Associate Editor (2020-2021)
  • Oversaw desk review, copy-edit, & publication of Special Editions for prominent science policy journal
  • Managed teams of Associate Editors reviewing dozens of articles for publication in multiple languages
  • Collaborated extensively with graduate student authors to help them develop stronger policy writing
  • Edited articles on potable water reuse in California, supporting US coal communities, & other topics
• Co-founder, Vaccination Conversations with Scientists (VaCS) (2021-2022)
  • Initiated volunteer effort to address CVOID-19 vaccine hesitancy in upstate New York
  • Developed instructional module to provide volunteers with vaccination, communication, & conflict resolution knowledge
  • Secured institutional support to expand the effort to multiple counties
• President, Cornell Advancing Science & Policy (2019-2022)
  • President (2020-2022), Vice President (2019-2020)
  • Advocated to U.S. Congressional staffers for policies to mitigate racial bias in artificial intelligence
  • Developed speaker series of recent PhD grads pursuing careers in science policy & local government
  • Organized collaborative work sessions for the National Science Policy Network 2020 Election Initiative
  • Led workshops on science communication skills, such as Op-Ed & policy memo writing
• Teaching Assistant, Cornell Writing about Communication (2020-2021)
  • Reviewed & edited over 300 student essays on social science, personal narrative, & digital media
  • Developed & taught clinics on writing fundamentals & stylistic conventions for different outlets
  • Instructed asynchronous online version of the course to help students during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Managed a team of undergraduate assistant graders
  • Received 4.95/5.00 overall rating across three terms of teaching evaluations
• Co-instructor, Cornell Science Policy Bootcamp (2018-2020)
  • Mentored four interdisciplinary teams pursuing advocacy plans on a range of science policy issues
  • Taught case studies on bias in AI, U.S. nuclear power, Op-Ed writing, & emerging science policy news
  • Invited back as a Guest Lecturer for 2020 Bootcamp
  • As Project Team Leader (2018), developed technical report, press briefing, & policy implementation plan to address bias in AI
  • Surveyed & partnered with Cornell faculty to augment on-campus educational efforts regarding AI
  • Published Op-Ed in Cornell Daily Sun newspaper & policy memo in Journal of Science Policy & Governance
• Parent Program Co-Leader, Cornell Chemical Engineering WOMEN Group (2016-2020)
  • Co-led outreach event supporting parents of high school girls interested in STEM degrees (2018-2020)
  • Operations Facilitator for 2017 outreach event for high school girls
  • Led surface chemistry demonstration for Curie & CATALYST outreach events for high schoolers
• Organizer, ComSciCon-NY Science Communication Conference (2017-2019)
  • Solicited panelists, advertised, & hosted regional communication conference for STEM grad students
  • Designed & moderated panels on “How to Tell a Story” & “Navigating Controversial Dialogues”
  • Co-presented conference observations at national science policy meetings (2019 AAAS & 2018 NSPN)
  • Attended 2017 conference on scientific communication, policy, & community engagement
• Cornell Chemical Engineering Civic Engagement Fellow (2018-2019)
  • Selected as one of 5 students to represent the department at the 2018 AAAS annual conference
  • Organized & hosted departmental workshop to bolster civic engagement for scientists
  • Led departmental voter registration & participation campaign for 2018 & 2020 election cycles
• MIT Policy Hackathon (2018)
  • Competed on a team in 48-hour marathon to tackle a current issue in public health (diaper need in Connecticut)
  • Composed 5-page brief & 3-minute presentation for advocacy & industry experts
• Cornell EnvironMentors & Mi Comunidad (2016-2018)
  • Mentored Cornell undergraduate & Latinx students considering careers in environmental research
• New York University Adjunct Faculty Member (2016)
  • Designed & instructed comprehensive curriculum of multi-genre creative writing for undergraduates
  • Incorporated fiction, poetry, music, oral storytelling, video games, & social criticism into the classroom
  • Received 4.9/5.0 overall teaching evaluation
• New York University Goldwater Fellow (2016)
  • Led weekly poetry workshops for adult patients at Coler-Goldwater Specialty Hospital
  • Assisted one patient in compiling & editing poems for a book celebrating the workshop
• Washington Square Review Interviews Editor (2015-2106)
  • Interviewed prominent writers for biannual, nationally distributed literary journal
  • Collaborated with & trained junior editor to assume the position the following year
  • Joined editorial staff in reviewing & editing interviews, poems, & short stories for final publication
• Steps Tutoring Tutor (2014-2016)
  • Tutored 4th-9th graders for New York State & City standardized tests
  • Coached students struggling with test anxiety & new concepts
• Texas A&M Chemical Engineering International Capstone Project | Doha, Qatar (2013)
  • Designed methanol synthesis facility with two students from A&M Qatar
  • Hosted Qatari collaborators in Texas; visited group members in Doha
  • Presented work for industry representatives via live international video conference
• Texas A&M Student Engineers’ Council (2011-2013)
  • Corporate relations chair (2012-2013)
  • Future A&M Engineers Conference Team Leader (2013)
  • Future Aggies Design Exhibition Team Leader (2012)
  • Assistant Corporate Relations Chair (2011-2012)
  • Philanthropy Committee (2011-2013)
• Callaloo Journal Editorial Assistant (2010-2013)
  • Reviewed poetry, fiction, & criticism submissions
  • Coordinated & critiqued pieces for inaugural Callaloo Art issue & annual Callaloo Conferences

Education

• Doctor of Philosophy (2022), Cornell University, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Advised by Dr. Brian Kirby
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification (2018), Binghamton University
• Masters of Fine Arts (2016), New York University, Creative Writing in Fiction, Advised by Meghan O’Rourke
• Bachelors of Science (2013) Texas A&M University, Chemical Engineering, summa cum laude, minors in Chemistry and Creative Writing
• Business Management Certificate for Engineers (2012), Mays Business School, Texas A&M University