CCST’s 9th annual Science & Technology Week (March 2-6, 2026) brought together policy leaders, science and technology experts, CCST champions, and our incredible network of partner institutions to discuss some of the state’s biggest challenges and opportunities.
The week began with our first-ever Partnership Forum for California leaders and ended with a panel discussion on advancing climate action through California’s research investments, held in partnership with the University of California, Office of the President (UCOP). In between, we honored the three recipients of the 2026 CCST Leadership Awards for Science in Public Service at our S&T Week Reception and Awards Ceremony, welcomed State government staff for an AI in Action Showcase and AI Opportunities Panel, and hosted a panel discussion on Quantum Innovation in California.
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Partnership Forum and VIP Happy Hour
In this closed-door roundtable and reception, CCST convened a select group of recognized leaders in science, science philanthropy, and the State Government for a wide-ranging, two-part conversation to catalyze coordinated, strategic action with the goal of increasing the resilience of the California science and science advice systems. Attendees included members of CCST’s Board of Directors, representatives from the California State Legislature, State Agencies, the Governor’s Office, and philanthropic leaders.
Reception & Leadership Awards Ceremony
Bringing together scientists, state leaders, policymakers, and more, the reception was a celebratory night of networking and bonding as we announced our 2026 Science in Public Service awardees and introduced the 2026 Class of CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows to the Capitol community. This night also marked a significant leadership transition for CCST, as Peter Cowhey, who served as Board Chair for nearly eight years, passed the baton to Andy McIlroy.
We had an amazing turnout for our Reception & Leadership Awards Ceremony, with roughly 140 attendees from the policy community and our extensive network of science and technology experts celebrating the kickoff to S&T Week at Camden Spin & Larder in downtown Sacramento.
The evening opened with our 2026 CCST Leadership Awards for Science in Public Service, honoring this year’s recipients: Assemblymember Gregg Hart, Senator Jerry McNerney, and Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) Director Dee Dee Myers.
Senator McNerney’s Chief of Staff Katerina Robinson accepted on his behalf, and Trelynd Bradley, Deputy Director of Innovation and Emerging Technologies at GO-Biz, accepted in Director Myers’ absence. Assemblymember Hart was able to receive his award in person when CCST CEO Julianne McCall and Director of Policy Engagement Puneet Bhullar visited his office later that week.
Photo Gallery: Leadership Awards Ceremony
After the awards ceremony, Julianne introduced the 2026 CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows. This year’s cohort of 15 PhD scientists arrived in Sacramento in November for a monthlong policy training before they were placed in the State Assembly, State Senate, State Agencies, and Offices of the Governor.
The program concluded with a tribute to Dr. Peter Cowhey, who concluded his tenure as CCST’s Board Chair and has helped shape CCST for nearly two decades. Under Peter’s leadership, CCST became a more stable, credible, and strategically positioned organization — strengthening its governance, expanding its influence in Sacramento, and solidifying the Science Fellows program as a cornerstone of California’s science policy ecosystem. Dr. Andy McIlroy, CCST’s Chair-Elect, shared notes of appreciation from former CCST Board leaders, including Judith Swain, Corey Goodman, Charles Harper, and Lisa Rossbacher.
After the reception, attendees mingled, forged new connections, and reunited with past colleagues. In addition to celebrating 17 years of CCST S&T Policy Fellows, we recognized nearly 40 years of remarkable partnerships that make our work possible.
Photo Gallery: S&T Week Reception
AI in Action Showcase
The AI in Action Showcase, held at SAFE Credit Union in Sacramento, featured AI technologies and applications from industry with practical applications for California’s economy and society. Nine displayers from across AI sectors attended to inform state government staff about current capabilities, system-level implementations, and emerging opportunities. The event, hosted in partnership with the Silicon Valley Leadership Group (SVLG), was open to State government staff across the legislative, executive, or judicial branches.
Displayers:
- Adobe
- CalTech
- Future House
- Intuitive Surgical
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
- SAP
- Tools for Humanity
- UC Davis
- UC Santa Cruz
Photo Gallery: AI in Action Showcase
AI Opportunities Panel
Following the showcase, CCST hosted two panel discussions featuring industry, researchers, and government staff explored opportunities in AI development and the policy solutions required to leverage the technology while limiting adverse impacts. The panels were open to State government staff and marked the final event in our launch phase of the Legislative Staff Academy on AI.
Panel 1: Trust in the AI Age
Moderator:
Eric Chu
Director of Science
California Council on Science and Technology
Panelists:
DJ Vogt
Senior Director, State and Local Government Affairs
SAP SE
Grace Yee,
Senior Director of Ethical Innovation
Adobe
Scott Kohler
Nonresident Scholar
Carnegie California, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Tawanda Michael Mahere
Product Manager
Tools for Humanity
Panel 2: AI as an Engine for Scientific Discovery
Moderator:
Eric Chu
Director of Science
California Council on Science and Technology
Panelists:
Branden Brough
Senior Advisor for Strategy
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Emily Sands
Senior Specialist, Government Affairs and Community Engagement
Intuitive Surgical
Michael Hobley
Resnick Postdoctoral Scholar and Head Scientist on the Fisheye Project
California Institute of Technology
Yi Zhang
Professor of Computer Science and Engineering
University of California Santa Cruz
Photo Gallery: AI Opportunities Panels
Photo Gallery: Photo Gallery: AI in Action Showcase Displayer Recognition
Quantum Innovation in California: The State of the Sector
California stands at the forefront of the quantum technology revolution, a field poised to transform computing, sensing, networking, materials science, and communications. With its unparalleled research infrastructure, deep talent pool, and strategic public–private collaborations, the state is investing in quantum as a cornerstone of future economic growth and global competitiveness. As part of AB 940, signed by Governor Newsom, in 2025, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-BIZ) will publish a strategic framework to help grow the quantum economy in regions throughout the State, helping to ensure the production of a strong talent pipeline, foster R&D, and create new opportunities for the technology to grow.
This event, held at the Stanley Mosk Library and Courts Building in Sacramento, brought together leaders from government, academia, industry, workforce, and economic development to provide a high-level overview of quantum technologies and their applications, why they matter, and how California can foster innovation and prepare for a diverse workforce for the quantum economy.
With Trelynd Bradley (GO-Biz) moderating, panelists engaged in a rich discussion about what makes California’s climate ecosystem cutting edge, as well as the challenges, opportunities, and partnerships that will be required to, in CCST CEO Julianne McCall’s words, “manifest the promise of this new quantum economy.”
Moderator:
Trelynd Bradley
Deputy Director, Innovation & Emerging Technologies
GO-Biz
Panelists:
Faith Dukes
Director of K-12 STEM Education Programs
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab
Jeff Welser
Chief Operating Officer for IBM Research and Vice President University Collaborations
IBM
Kristi Beck
Director of the Livermore Center for Quantum Science
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Mike Piech
Vice President of Business Development and Marketing and Computing
Rigetti Computing
Photo Gallery: Quantum Innovation in California
Advancing Climate Action Through California’s Research Investments
We partnered with the University of California Office of the President (UCOP) for our closing event of the week. The webinar highlighted the impacts of three projects that were funded by the 2023 California Climate Action Grant program. The projects showcased the environmental, community, and economic benefits of targeted state funding on progress towards the state’s climate goals.
Moderator:
Andy Jones
Science Advisor
CNRA
Opening Remarks:
Theresa Maldonado
VP for Research & Innovation
UCOP
Panelists:
Rosibel Ochoa
Associate Vice Chancellor Technology Partnerships
UC Riverside
Project Title: Jumpstarting Climate Action through Entrepreneurship in the Inland Empire
Megan Jennings
Interim Executive Director, CSU Climate Adaptation Consortium (CSU ADAPT)
San Diego State University
Project Title: Collaborative of Native Nations for Climate Transformation & Stewardship (San Diego State)
Ted Grantham
Associate Professor of Cooperative Extension
UC Berkeley
Project Title: COEQWAL: Equitable stewardship of California’s water in a changing climate
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About the California Council on Science and Technology
The California Council on Science and Technology is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization established via the California State Legislature in 1988. CCST responds to the Governor, the Legislature, and other State entities who request independent assessment of public policy issues affecting the State of California relating to science and technology. CCST engages leading experts in science and technology to advise state policymakers—ensuring that California policy is strengthened and informed by scientific knowledge, research, and innovation.