How the Knauss Fellowship Advanced Their Careers

For more than three decades, Maryland Sea Grant has supported young scientists to work for a year for the federal government on marine policy and conservation. The program is called the Knauss Marine Policy Fellowships.

Maryland Sea Grant is highlighting the Knauss fellowships as part of the 50th anniversary of the National Sea Grant College Program. Alumni of the Knauss fellowships have gone on to exciting careers, and here we highlight stories from four of these fellows whom Maryland supported. They describe how the experience helped their professional development.

They also share favorite memories from their fellowship years. Like the episode that fellow Olaf Jensen recalls this way: "Luckily, when you're diving, no one can hear you scream.​"

Olaf Jensen

Knauss Fellowship: NOAA, Biogeography Program, 2003

Current Job: Assistant Professor, Rutgers University, Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences

How did your Knauss fellowship help your career?

The Knauss fellowship was a tremendous benefit to my career through development of new scientific skills, expanding my professional network, and experience working in collaborative teams. I greatly expanded my GIS and spatial analysis skill set by working alongside experienced GIS programmers.  I also learned new field research techniques such as underwater fish and coral survey methods.

Some of the most important skills that I developed as a Knauss Fellow came through working in collaborative teams to provide scientific advice for management of marine sanctuaries.  As a data analyst on these teams, I learned how to set realistic goals and timelines, communicate with the clients (sanctuary managers), and work effectively with scientific data providers.  All of these skills are great assets whether you work in government, the private sector, or a research university (as I do now).

What is your favorite memory of your fellowship? 

On the last dive of a week-long field research trip off of Puerto Rico, we were surveying bottom habitat and fish communities through visual observation while SCUBA diving. Our last site was a low visibility sea grass site. At one point, I saw a large object swimming behind me and to my left, which surprised me as I knew my dive buddy was on my right. I turned my head and was face to face with a manatee. The manatee looked as surprised as I was and it turned around and took off leaving a cloud of sediment. Luckily, when you're diving, no one can hear you scream.

​Rebecca Holyoke

Knauss Fellowship: NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, 2009

Current Job: Program Analyst, NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries

How did your Knauss fellowship help your career? 

The fellowship provided me the opportunity to transition from academia to science administration, including program planning and marine policy. The network of professionals, and the informal and formal training arranged through the fellowship and my host office, greatly enhanced my skill set and knowledge of the agency — both of which were essential for earning my current position.

What is your favorite memory of your fellowship?

My favorite was participating in the NOAA Fisheries and Office of National Marine Sanctuaries National Summit near Monterey Bay, California. Preparing for and participating in this meeting introduced me to more than 80 amazing and talented staff and reinforced for me personally the need to build durable, positive relationships within and external to your program to further the many needed missions associated with ocean conservation.

Kristin Rusello

Knauss Fellowship: NOAA National Ocean Service, Office of Response and Restoration, 2005

Current Job: Foreign Affairs Specialist, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service

How did your Knauss fellowship help your career?

The fellowship opened the door to the federal government for me, specifically NOAA, and allowed me to begin real-world policy work. Although I had taken policy courses in college, my focus had always been on science. The fellowship also showed me how science contributes to policy and management and gave me a better understanding of each discipline. I was also introduced to a number of U.S. agencies and executive branch engagement with the legislative branch. The fellowship allowed me "try out" the federal government in a way to determine if it was a good fit for me, which it was! I've been at NOAA for over 10 years now! 

What is your favorite memory of your fellowship? 

One very cool thing I was able to work on during my fellowship was the Anacostia River watershed. My M.S. work focused on restoration projects along the Anacostia River, and the NOAA Office of Response and Restoration worked on urban watershed restoration, so I was able to continue work on the river, only from a different perspective.

​

Pamela Toschik

Knauss Fellowship: National Science Foundation, Office of Polar Programs, 2004

​Current Job: Chief, Migratory Birds, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Northeast Region

How did your Knauss fellowship help your career? 

The Knauss fellowship gave me the opportunity to shift my career from research to policy and the skills to successfully compete for federal policy jobs. I was introduced to international conservation treaties, and given opportunities to build my skills in consensus building. These experiences prepared me well for the next decade working in the NOAA Office of International Affairs and now with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

What is your favorite memory of your fellowship?

My favorite work as a fellow was with a small international team of avian and fisheries scientists, working to improve rules to prevent bycatch of albatrosses and petrels in Antarctic fisheries. For me, it was the ideal convergence of diplomacy, science, industry, and conservation.

You can learn more about current and past Knauss fellows on National Sea Grant’s 50th Anniversary Stories webpage. #seagrant50