Horizon Fellow Brian O’Neil (’25) Enters the Policy World

Brian O’Neil, a member of the latest graduating class of Georgetown’s Biohazardous Threat Agents & Emerging Infectious Diseases master’s program, will be working in the executive branch as a Horizon Fellow.

The nonpartisan, nonprofit Horizon Institute for Public Service sets up its fellows with policy positions in the executive branch, Congress, and think tanks, infusing host agencies with expertise on biotechnology, AI, and other topics. O’Neil is starting in June at the Council on Strategic Risks, a “nonprofit, non-partisan security policy institute,” before moving on to a placement in the executive branch.

O’Neil came to Georgetown for a policy-minded pivot after working at a succession of biotech startups. He applied for the Horizon Fellowship at the recommendation of the late Adjunct Professor Bill Daddio.

“I think my fundamental motivation is to maximize social good,” O’Neil said. “My long-term goal is public service, and I think this is the first step toward that.”