Darshana R. Patel Appointed to the Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs

SACRAMENTO – The Senate Rules Committee, chaired by Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), today appointed Darshana R. Patel, Ph.D. to the Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs. Dr. Patel was nominated by the Asian American and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus.

“Dr. Patel is a trusted leader in her community and tireless advocate for quality education in California schools,” Pro Tem Atkins said. “Dr. Patel’s impressive analytical and organizing background, combined with her lived experiences as a woman of color in California, make her an ideal addition to the Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs.”

Dr. Patel is the Vice President of the Poway Unified School District Board of Education Trustees. She is a member of the San Diego Asian Pacific Islander Coalition, California School Boards Association, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Previously, she served as a Project Manager and a Post-doctoral Research Scientist for Genentech, Inc. She also has worked as a Teaching Assistant at the University of California, Irvine.

Dr. Patel lives in San Diego, and the term is for four years. Compensation is reimbursement for actual and necessary travel expenses.

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Toni G. Atkins is President pro Tempore of the California Senate. Having previously served as Speaker of the California Assembly, she began her tenure in the Senate in 2016. As Senator for District 39, she represents the cities of San Diego, Coronado, Del Mar and Solana Beach. Website of President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins: www.senate.ca.gov/Atkins