Sandra is a skilled lobbyist on Subject Matter’s Government Relations team. Most recently she served as the chief of staff for Rep. Filemon Vela (D-Texas). She brings a unique scientific perspective to her work, having a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Minnesota. Sandra has nearly 20 years of experience both as a senior congressional staffer on Capitol Hill and working in the scientific, academic and health care community. Before her role as a chief of staff, Sandra worked as the director of member services for the House Democratic Caucus and Chairman Hakeem Jeffries. She previously served as the policy director for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus under Chair Michelle Lujan Grisham and got her start in Congress working as a legislative assistant for Congressman Joaquin Castro.