NJIT Alumnus to Shape Environmental Policymaking as NYS Science Policy Fellow

Jose Antunes ’19, ’20, ’25 spent nearly a decade at NJIT conducting research on the front lines of the fight against environmental pollution. Now, he’s among a select group of six scientists recently named New York State Science Policy Fellows, where his expertise will help shape science-based policymaking on issues affecting millions of New Yorkers.

In August, Antunes began his two-year advisory role with the New York State Senate Majority Counsel in Albany as part of the fellowship’s highly selective second cohort, run by the Rockefeller Institute of Government and funded by the Simons Foundation and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

For Antunes, who earned his Ph.D. in Environmental Science from NJIT earlier this year, the appointment marks both a major early-career milestone and a chance to directly address New York’s most urgent environmental health challenges.

“It was a little surreal learning I was selected. There were qualified applicants from across the country, so being chosen felt validating — like all the work I put into my Ph.D. was worth it,” Antunes said. “It’s exciting to be at the intersection of science and policy, especially when science has become increasingly polarized. It’s a new frontier for me, and I’m eager to make an impact.”

In this role, Antunes will serve as a key bridge between the scientific community and policymakers — providing technical expertise during legislative discussions on a wide range of environmental issues and undertaking a year-long capstone project focused on a key policy challenge. Since the program’s 2024 launch, only 12 fellows have been selected statewide. Applications for the third cohort open this October.

“I was drawn to the chance to have a direct impact on policy that affects people’s daily lives, from the cost of utilities down to the process of recycling tires.” said Antunes, who learned of the fellowship opportunity through NJIT’s Graduate Student Association. “The most challenging part is broadening my field of knowledge — I spent years specializing in one area, but now I’m dealing with everything from climate action to species conservation.”

As a NYS Science Policy Fellow, Antunes finds himself working with lawmakers and interfacing with lobbyists, advocates, and other stakeholders. Part of his job, he says, is making sure science doesn’t get drowned out amid competing interests.

“What’s striking is seeing first-hand the sheer volume and range of legislation, especially at the state level,” he explained. “The main thing for me is identifying the background on proposed bills and information coming from advocates and lobbyists — they may be presenting valid points on a topic, just from different perspectives.

“We advise senators by digesting and summarizing bills, providing background, context, and analysis, so they can make decisions based on clear, science-based information rather than just the loudest voice in the room.”

Antunes’ path to Albany was paved in part by standout environmental research at NJIT, particularly on innovative approaches to detoxifying polluted groundwater using novel “chemical-feeding” bacteria.

In a recent study featured on the cover of Environmental Science & Technology Letters, Antunes and his mentor, NJIT chemist Mengyan Li, uncovered the role of a class of enzymes (called Group 6 soluble diiron monooxygenases) that boost the ability of certain cold-loving bacteria to break down 1,4-dioxane. The chemical has been recognized as a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The research could lead to new ways of cleaning up groundwater pollution. Until now, most bacteria used for this kind of cleanup only worked well at warmer temperatures.

“Our study focused on bacteria that can break down contaminants effectively, even at colder temperatures, which is critical since subsurface water is often cold year-round,” Antunes explained. “If we can advance these approaches in real-world conditions, cleanup efforts could become much more effective.”

Antunes now says his aim is to make complex science accessible beyond the lab, by drawing from his NJIT experience.

“My Ph.D. at NJIT really taught me how to quickly read and digest complex data — which is incredibly valuable when I’m analyzing legislation now,” Antunes said. “The collaborative, interdisciplinary environment pushed me to see how research methods can be applied to a much wider set of problems. That mindset translates directly into my work here.”

“By the end of the fellowship, I want to leave knowing I contributed to policies that tangibly improve environmental well-being for New York and New Yorkers.”