Catharine Young

Assistant Director for Cancer Moonshot Engagement and Policy at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy

Originally from South Africa, Dr. Catharine Young holds a doctorate degree in Biomedical Sciences and completed her Postdoctrate training in Biomedical Engineering.

Currently, she serves at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to advance the Cancer Moonshot - The President and First Lady’s mission to decrease the number of cancer deaths by 50% over the next 25 years. Besides Catharine’s federal government experience, Catharine’s career has spanned a variety of sectors including academia, non-profit, biotech, and foreign government, all with a focus on advancing science. Awards include being selected as a TED Fellow, a New Voices Fellow of the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine, a Presidential Leadership Scholar, and Social Enablers top 100 most inspiring social entrepreneurs.

Catharine is an advocate for women in STEM and has been a contributor to major social and media networks including TED-Ed, the Guardian and the UK Science and Innovation Network.