She didn't win, but I got to vote for Dr. Tepring Piquado for State Assembly. Not only is she a neuroscientist and former science/math teacher, but her parents named her after T'Pring, Spock's coldly calculating Vulcan fiancee. Not a particularly auspicious choice, but still awesome. Latter article has a nice rundown of other scientists running in the local area.
Jess Phoenix, a geologist who studies volcanoes, is one of the Democrats challenging Rep. Steve Knight, a Republican from Palmdale, in the June 5 primary in L.A. County’s most-watched congressional race. She says she’d bring to Washington, D.C., a scientific approach to problem-solving and “Star Trek values,” the latter a reference to the science-fiction franchise’s civil-rights themes and racial diversity.
