Sarah Bates is the chief of NHGRI’s Office of Communications (OC). Previously, as a public affairs specialist for the National Science Foundation (NSF), Bates led communications for the Engineering Directorate and the BRAIN Initiative, covering complex and sensitive topics such as gravitational waves, sexual harassment, and disaster relief. Through that work, she earned the NSF Director's Award for Excellence Pioneer. Bates has a Master of Arts in Journalism, a Master of Science in Astronomy, and a Bachelor of Arts in Physics and English.