Anita Desikan is a senior analyst for the Center for Science and Democracy at the Union of Concerned Scientists. In her role, she investigates the role of science in public policy, focusing on topics like scientific integrity at federal agencies, and political interference in the scientific rulemaking process.
Prior to joining UCS, Ms. Desikan served as a research assistant at the Scripps Research Institute, where she researched the effects of alcohol binging on the adolescent mind, and at King’s College London, where she conducted epidemiological research on stroke in a socioeconomically deprived part of London. She also earned a Fulbright scholarship and served as an English teaching assistant in rural Malaysia.
She earned an MPH in environmental health and science policy from George Washington University, an MS in biomedical science from Drexel University, and a BA in psychology/biology from Pitzer College.
When Science is Neglected, Who’s Hurt?
Selected publications
Carter, J., E. Berman, A. Desikan, C. Johnson, and G. Goldman. 2019. The State of Science in the Trump Era: Damage Done, Lessons Learned, and a Path to Progress. Cambridge, MA: Union of Concerned Scientists.
Desikan, A. 2017. Outdoor air pollution as a possible modifiable risk factor to reduce mortality in post-stroke population. Neural Regeneration Research 12(3): 351-353. doi: 10.4103/1.
Desikan, A., S. Crichton, U. Hoang, B. Barratt, S.D. Beevers, F.J. Kelly, and C.D. Wolfe. 2016. Effect of exhaust-and nonexhaust-related components of particulate matter on long-term survival after stroke. Stroke 47(12): 2916-2922.
Desikan, A., D.N. Wills, and C.L. Ehlers. 2014. Effects of ontogeny and adolescent alcohol exposure on behavioral measures in the open field conflict, light-dark box and forced swim test in Wistar rats. Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior 122: 279–285. doi: 10.1016/j.pbb.2014.04.011.
Ehlers, C.L., A. Desikan, and D.N. Wills. 2013. Developmental differences in EEG and sleep responses to acute ethanol administration and its withdrawal (hangover) in adolescent and adult Wistar rats. Alcohol 47(8): 601-10. doi: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2013.09.040.