Austin Clement

Congressional Fellow

Austin Dallas Clement serves as the Defense and Aerospace Fellow for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF). He is a recent graduate from Johns Hopkins University, where he graduated with his Master of Science degree in Biotechnology with a concentration in Biodefense. Austin is also a proud graduate of Morehouse College where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a minor in Asian Studies. While in attendance, Austin received honors in Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa.

Austin served as a research assistant to investigate the population dispersal of sickle cell anemia carriers in the West End community of Atlanta, GA. Austin was also an intern for the Department of Defense. He created literature reviews and dissected and synthesized information on artificial intelligence related to biological projects such as Medical Decision Support systems. As a former intern for the UNC-Chapel Hill, Carolina Health Informatics Program, he studied the correlation between depression and walking difficulties/osteoarthritis using R and Python to predict, explore, and visualize big data.

Previously, Austin worked for the COVID-19 response efforts for the Department of Public Health in Massachusetts through Boston University’s Medical Campus, where he conducted evidence synthesis and communications. Furthermore, he worked on social media platforms as well as presiding over public relations under the Team Leader of the COVID-19 Task Force in Provincetown, Massachusetts, where he wrote global, national, and state briefings surrounding reopening, harm reduction, and quarantine fatigue. Additionally, as a coding intern through the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Austin used R to understand the spikes in daily COVID-19 cases in predominantly Black-populated counties while considering variables such as residential activity, working activity, and weather.

Austin enjoys giving back to his community. As both a Merit Badge Counselor and STEAM Mentor for the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), Austin trains youth in various disciplines, from public speaking to scientific observation to emergency first aid and preparedness. Austin occasionally teaches seminars to senior adults on safety and self-defense in the community. As an advocate and former data analyzer for a nonprofit, Austin has reviewed systems, developed risk assessment reports offering potential solutions, and helped create cultural diversity and competency inclusion plans.

In his free time, Austin is likely found either enjoying nature’s beauty through exploring the outdoors or sitting by a well-lit fireplace with a good MARVEL comic book.