The fellowship consists of a $5,000 grant and a full-time, eight week public policy internship in Washington, DC with a high-tech company, firm or trade association, and weekly issues seminars hosted by Tisdale sponsors.

"I hope to gain an in depth understanding of how the lobbying process works in Washington, D.C. and establish a strong network of contacts there so that I can go back and work as a lobbyist after I graduate," said Kaplan.

From Marietta, Georgia, Kaplan, has previously held internships in the U.S. Congress, Georgia Tech Research Institute, and the Georgia State Senate. His academic focus is in philosophy of science and policy analysis, with a particular interest in government relations.

"My passion is for the legislative process and how that works from both the government perspective and from the private interest perspective," he said.

This fall, Kaplan will begin Master's studies in the Public Policy program focusing on science and technology policy.