Student Policy Award – Ecologist Goes to Washington

Pikas act as climate indicators

Liza Lester — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 14:42:33 +0000

Johanna Varner is one of five ESA 2014 Graduate Student Policy Award (GSPA) winners. A Ph.D. student at the University of Utah, she studies pika behavioral responses to disturbances caused by climate change and wildfire. In the podcast, Johanna discusses her meetings with policymakers on Capitol Hill and elaborates on the various ecosystem services pikas provide.

For more on pikas, see the accompanying post on ESA’s blog, EcoTone.

This is the third in a series of episodes featuring graduate students recognized by ESA in 2014 for their work at the interface of science and society. For more information on the GSPA, click here.

NSF IGERT: Transcending traditional disciplinary boundaries to advance career opportunities in science

Liza Lester — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 17:19:32 +0000

Sarah Anderson is one of five ESA 2014 Graduate Student Policy Award (GSPA) winners. A Ph.D. student at Washington State University, she studies atmospheric nitrogen deposition. In the podcast, Sarah discusses her meetings with policymakers on Capitol Hill and elaborates on her participation in the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Integrated Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) program and how the experience has aided her research.

For more on the NSF IGERT, see the accompanying post on ESA’s blog, EcoTone.

This is the first in a series of episodes featuring graduate students recognized by ESA in 2014 for their work at the interface of science and society. For more information on the GSPA, click here.

The role of science investment in community and professional development

terence — Mon, 19 Aug 2013 14:22:42 +0000

Lindsay Deel is one of four ESA 2013 Graduate Student Policy Award (GSPA) winners. Her Ph.D. research at West Virginia University focuses on environmental geography and policy issues surrounding the management of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. In the podcast, Lindsay reflects on sharing her research with policymakers on Capitol Hill.

She also highlights federally-funded graduate science programs that support research that can make a positive difference for communities. For more on federal graduate science programs see the accompanying post on ESA’s blog, EcoTone.

This is the final in a series of four episodes featuring graduate students recognized by ESA in 2013 for their work at the interface of science and society. For more information on the GSPA, click here.

Federal research investment and its benefits for society

terence — Fri, 19 Jul 2013 19:29:08 +0000

Carlos Silva is one of four ESA 2013 Graduate Student Policy Award (GSPA) winners. His Ph.D. research at the University of Maryland focuses on remote sensing of tropical rainforest dynamics. Carlos discusses his experiences in meetings with policymakers on Capitol Hill and his efforts to highlight how federal biological research investment benefits the communities they represent. He also shares his insights on what makes effective science policy engagement.

For more on how research investment benefits human society, see the accompanying post on ESA’s blog, EcoTone.

This is the third in a series of four episodes featuring graduate students recognized by ESA in 2013 for their work at the interface of science and society. For more information on the GSPA, click here.

In defense of federally-funded research

terence — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 14:29:49 +0000

Matthew Berg is one of four ESA 2013 Graduate Student Policy Award (GSPA) winners. A Ph.D. student at Texas A&M University, he studies ecohydrology. In this podcast, Matthew discusses his collaborations with state and local officials to draft watershed management policies. He also gives highlights from meetings with lawmakers in Congress, including his response to queries questioning the value of fundamental research projects.

For more on legislative efforts to scrutinize scientific research, see the accompanying post on ESA’s blog, EcoTone.

This is the second in a series of four podcasts featuring graduate students recognized by ESA in 2013 for their work at the interface of science and society. For more information on the GSPA, click here.

Sequestration impacts national park destinations

terence — Fri, 31 May 2013 13:27:13 +0000

Caitlin McDonough MacKenzie is one of four ESA 2013 Graduate Student Policy Award (GSPA) winners. A Ph.D. student at Boston University, she studies the effects of climate change on plants in Acadia National Park in Maine. In the podcast, Caitlin discusses her meetings with policymakers on Capitol Hill and elaborates on the impact budget sequestration has had on her research.

For more on sequestration and its impact on national parks, see the accompanying post on ESA’s blog, EcoTone.

This is the first in a series of four episodes featuring graduate students recognized by ESA in 2013 for their work at the interface of science and society. For more information on the GSPA, click here.

Wolf conservation efforts furthered by emphasizing shared goals

terence — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 14:29:10 +0000

Matthew Schuler is one of three ESA 2012 Graduate Student Policy Award (GSPA) winners. His Ph.D. research at Washington University focuses on how land-use practices can enhance species diversity in heavily managed ecosystems. Here, he discusses his experiences meeting with policymakers on Capitol Hill, his past work with the Timber Wolf Information Network and the need for scientists to get involved with their local communities.

For more on wolf management efforts, see the accompanying post on ESA’s blog, EcoTone.

This is the final in a series of three episodes featuring graduate students recognized by ESA in 2012 for their work at the interface of science and policy. For more information on the GSPA, click here.

The American alligator and its importance to the Florida Everglades

terence — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 18:30:05 +0000

Adam Rosenblatt is one of three ESA 2012 Graduate Student Policy Award (GSPA) winners. His Ph.D. research at Florida International University focuses on American alligators and their role in the Florida Everglades ecosystem. Here, he discusses his research, its relevance to human society as well as his interactions with policymakers at various levels of government.

For more on American alligators, see the accompanying post on ESA’s blog, EcoTone.

This is the second in a series of three episodes featuring graduate students recognized by ESA in 2012 for their work at the interface of science and society. For more information on the GSPA, click here.

The importance of managing exotic invasive plants

terence — Wed, 02 May 2012 13:39:10 +0000

Sara Kuebbing is one of three ESA 2012 Graduate Student Policy Award (GSPA) winners. Her Ph.D. research at the University of Tennessee focuses on invasive plant species and their impacts on ecosystems. Sara discusses her research and its relevance to the state of Tennessee as well as her insights on the importance of science policy engagement.

For more on invasive plants, see the accompanying post on ESA’s blog, EcoTone.

This is the first in a series of three episodes featuring graduate students recognized by ESA in 2012 for their work at the interface of science and society. For more information on the GSPA, click here.