As Program Manager, Ashton is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the brand new NIHHIS Center of Excellence, the Center for Collaborative Heat Monitoring, that is based out of the Museum. The Center is a national partnership of science museums and technical experts that is focused on supporting community science on heat.

Learn more about the Museum of Life and Science.

Within STEPS

Ashton Merckwas a Postdoctoral Research Scholar in the Interdisciplinary Risk Sciences group at NC State University. Her research drew on the historical dimensions of risk governance to address emerging societal challenges in food and agriculture. Her work with STEPS focused on engaging a diverse group of stakeholders to better understand and respond to their needs, perceptions, and concerns. Ashton earned a Ph.D. in History from Duke University in 2020, where she wrote her dissertation on the prospects of co-regulation in food safety since 1950. Before coming to NC State, she taught courses in regulation and public policy.