Ellen Wann, Ph.D.
About Ellen Wann, Ph.D.
Ellen Wann, Ph.D., is a Health Science Policy Analyst at the National Institutes of Health, where she leads the Scientific Data Sharing Policy Team. With a strong background in neurobiology and behavior, she develops policies related to data sharing, research participant protections, and emerging biotechnologies.
Current Role at National Institutes of Health
Ellen Wann, Ph.D., serves as a Health Science Policy Analyst at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland. She has held this position since 2020. In her current role, she leads the Scientific Data Sharing Policy Team, where she develops and implements policies related to data sharing, research participant protections, and emerging biotechnologies. Her work focuses on ensuring that scientific data is shared responsibly and ethically, contributing to advancements in health science.
Previous Experience at National Institutes of Health
Before her current role, Ellen Wann worked at the National Institutes of Health as a Health Scientist and AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow from 2018 to 2020. During this two-year fellowship, she gained experience in health science policy, which has informed her subsequent work in data sharing and research ethics. Her tenure at NIH has been marked by her commitment to advancing science policy through collaborative efforts.
Academic Background and Education
Ellen Wann earned her Ph.D. in Neurobiology and Behavior from the University of California, Irvine, where she studied from 2012 to 2017. Her doctoral research focused on systems and computational neuroscience, providing her with a strong foundation for her policy work. Prior to her Ph.D., she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Neuroscience, and Statistics from St. Olaf College, studying from 2005 to 2009.
Professional Experience at UC Irvine
Ellen Wann has held multiple positions at the University of California, Irvine. She worked as a Graduate Teaching Assistant from 2013 to 2015 and served as the Associated Graduate Students Professional Development Coordinator from 2015 to 2016. Additionally, she was a Graduate Student Researcher in Neurobiology and Behavior from 2012 to 2017. These roles allowed her to develop teaching skills and engage in research, contributing to her expertise in neuroscience.
Experience in Neuroscience Policy and Advocacy
Ellen Wann has experience in neuroscience policy and advocacy, having worked at the Society for Neuroscience. She served as a Neuroscience Policy and Advocacy Fellow for six months in 2017-2018 and later as a Neuroscience Advocacy and Training Associate for three months in 2018. These roles involved engaging with policy issues affecting the neuroscience community and advocating for research funding and support.