Aligning medicine, policy, and innovation: M.D.+Ph.D student named Society for Neuroscience Policy ambassador
Policy ambassadors are chosen based on their commitment to scientific advocacy and leadership.
As a former public-health analyst at a Washington, D.C., think tank, Andrew Strohman lobbied to improve patient access to health care. Now, he’s one of 10 neuroscientists in the nation selected to represent the Society for Neuroscience as an Early Career Policy Ambassador during its annual Capitol Hill Day, which runs March 12-14.
Strohman, a Virginia Tech M.D.+Ph.D. student conducting low-intensity focused ultrasound research at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, is leveraging his policy experience to help develop technological interventions to address disparities in access to cutting-edge medical therapies.
“I believe in accelerating and equalizing access to advanced medical therapies, ensuring they are as accessible and funded for everyone,” said Strohman, who is halfway through his training through the Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health Graduate Program and the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. “This is the perfect chance for me to advocate for legislation that aligns science, medicine, and insurance reimbursements so we can deliver cutting-edge, effective therapies to patients sooner.”
For 10 months, Strohman will advocate for policies that advance brain research and health care. He credits his appointment to the support provided by his mentor, Wynn Legon, assistant professor at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute. Legon also holds an appointment in the School of Neuroscience in the College of Science.
"When I started down this path to become a physician-scientist, I didn’t want to throw my policy background to the wayside — I wanted to leverage it,” Strohman said. “My mentor, Dr. Legon, has been instrumental in supporting me as I integrate my interests in policy, clinical care, and science.”
Strohman’s research focuses on noninvasive brain stimulation techniques to modulate pain. In a recent study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, Legon and Strohman demonstrated that low-intensity focused ultrasound can reduce acute pain perception when directed at a tiny portion of the brain’s limbic system that processes pain signals.
"Having Andrew join this esteemed group of neuroscience policy ambassadors is a remarkable milestone that underscores his contributions to science and policy,” Legon said. “His dedication to bridging the gap between laboratory research and legislative advocacy reflects a forward-thinking approach to neuroscience that is crucial for advancing our field.”
In addition to Virginia Tech, Early Career Policy Ambassadors hail from Harvard University, the University of Florida, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Thomas Jefferson University, Tulane University, Columbia University, Uniformed Services University, Wayne State University, and Yale University. The Society for Neuroscience selected these researchers because of their experience, leadership, and dedication to scientific advocacy.
Strohman is the third Virginia Tech translational biology, medicine, and health graduate student working at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute to serve as an ambassador, following Ubadah Sabbagh in 2020 and Katelyn Stebbins in 2023.
“Strohman's work stands at the intersection of neuroscience, medicine, and advocacy,” said Michael Friedlander, vice president for health sciences and technology and executive director of the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute. “His work embodies a bold approach to advancing the application of a potentially powerful leading technological innovation for the benefit of improving health for all, not just those who have either the financial means or access to major medical centers. This represents the very best of what medicine can and should be, bringing scientific innovation to benefit the health of all.”
Looking ahead, Strohman envisions a career as a clinician-scientist, where he can continue to influence the practice of medicine and the policies guiding it. He is particularly interested in neurointerventional radiology, a specialty that aligns with his research and offers a direct pathway to impact patient care.
Strohman completed a bachelor’s degree in biology at the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in public health at Virginia Commonwealth University. He interned for Virginia’s state health commissioner and worked at the American Action Forum as a health care data analyst before pursuing his studies at Virginia Tech.
"The bidirectional relationship between the medical school and research institute here is unique and something that deeply attracted me to this program," Strohman said.
The Capitol Hill Day events coincide with the Society for Neuroscience’s Brain Awareness campaign. The Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC also is promoting brain awareness activities, including the 11th annual Brain School on March 11.
