Health Equity Policy Manager
Grace Wickerson
they/them
Medical Innovation,
Emerging Technologies

Grace Wickerson is the Health Equity Policy Manager at the Federation of American Scientists. They work on embedding equity in health policies, with an eye towards leveraging data and technology as key tools for accelerating change. They are committed to ensuring technologies are accessible to all as well as securing innovations for patients who are under-researched and underserved in medicine.

They received their Master’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering at Northwestern University. Their research focused on materials, design, and fabrication strategies for advanced medical devices, from wearables to implantables. In addition to their research on medical devices, Grace worked as a research intern with the Center for Health Equity Transformation working on engineering design methods for building with those with lived experiences of illness. They are passionate about re-tooling engineering education to serve the public good, writing about transforming engineering for equity in Scientific American and for The American Society of Engineering Education. Prior to Northwestern, Grace received their B.S. in Materials Science and Nanoengineering from Rice University. 

publications
Social Innovation
day one project
Policy
Establishing an AI Center of Excellence to Address Maternal Health Disparities

Maternal mortality is a crisis in the United States. The Biden-Harris Administration should establish an AI Center of Excellence to bring together data sources and then analyze, diagnose, and address maternal health disparities, all while demonstrating trustworthy and responsible AI principles.

05.02.23 | 7 min read
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Science Policy
Blog
A Bipartisan Health Agenda to Unite America: Innovative Ideas to Strengthen American Wellbeing

There’s more work to be done to build a healthier future for all Americans, but here are some ideas for starters.

03.08.23 | 5 min read
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Science Policy
Blog
Building Momentum for Equity in Medical Devices

Just over a year ago, I found myself pausing during a research lab meeting. “Why were all the subjects in our studies of wearable devices white? And what were the consequences of exclusion?” This question stuck with me long after the meeting. Digging into the evidence, I was alarmed to find paper after paper signaling embedded […]

12.02.22 | 3 min read
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Science Policy
Blog
An Overdue Fix: Racial Bias and Pulse Oximeters

Pulse oximeters are medically transformative, but racially biased. The FDA must take steps to correct the problems with these ubiquitous devices.

11.01.22 | 3 min read
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Science Policy
day one project
Combating Bias in Medical Innovation

The Biden-Harris Administration must act to address bias in medical technology at the development, testing and regulation, and market-deployment and evaluation phases.

04.26.22 | 17 min read
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