Students Impacting Policy with Science

July 31, 2018

Maryland Sea Grant Collegeannounced the highly competitive 2019 John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship Finalists, and University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science students captured four of the coveted fellowships. Horn Point Laboratory graduate students Melanie Jackson, Maureen Brooks, and Emily Russ and Chesapeake Biological Laboratory student Zoraida Perez Delgado will be serving the 2019 fellowship year working in either the Executive or Legislative branches of government.

Students are chosen through a selective process that involves review at the state and national levels. The impact of their policy work may take place at the Legislative (e.g. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, Senate Commerce Committee, House Committee on Natural Resources) or Executive (e.g. NOAA, Department of the Interior, National Science Foundation, U.S. Navy) levels.

Read more to learn what these UMCES students want to do in their Fellowship year:

Maureen Brooks Through my studies at HPL I've been most excited when my research has the potential to help solve real-world problems. As a Knauss Fellow I'm looking forward to helping find promising new research, see its applications, and translate it into policies that balance stakeholder needs with sustainable oceans.
Melanie Jackson Not only has my time at Horn Point allowed me to conduct collaborative research with computer modelers and physical oceanographers, but I've also had the opportunity to interact with a diverse group of stakeholders ranging from local watermen to state and federal government officials. My outreach and research endeavors at Horn Point have prepared me for a successful career in environmental management and have taught me the importance of incorporating stakeholder values into policy. I am eager to apply my leadership and communication skills to broad topics within science policy, such as habitat restoration and sustainable aquaculture.
Emily Russ Through my coursework and research at HPL, I have developed an excellent foundation on environmental issues impacting our estuaries and coasts, and solutions to promote sustainability. During my time at HPL, I discovered a passion for science outreach and extension education, and am excited to work with the federal government during a Knauss Fellowship. Much of my PhD research has focused on coastal resilience, and I believe the Knauss Fellowship will be an invaluable opportunity to learn how to best integrate science, policy, and society in order to promote resilience and sustainability at a national level.
Zoraida Perez-Delgado What motivated me to apply to the Knauss Fellowship program is that I believe it will help me understand how science and policy interact, giving me the skills necessary to translate my scientific knowledge and research experience into effective policy for the betterment of our world. Being a fellow right after receiving my Master of Science degree will not only help me understand all the different career opportunities that exist outside of academia, but will give me the skill set necessary to make more informed choices about the training I pursue during my Ph.D.