Knauss Marine Policy Fellows
Lindsey Stadler
Executive Fellow, 2023
Protected Resources Office of the Director, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service
Education: Lindsey earned a bachelor's degree in marine biology at Roger Williams University in Rhode Island. Lindsey is currently completing a master's degree in marine biology at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where she is focusing on dietary resource use of nearshore fishes in glacially-influenced estuaries.
Professional and Research Interests: Lindsey has a diverse background in the marine realm including humpback whale research in the Turks and Caicos Islands, acquiring her captain’s license to operate whale watching vessels in the Salish Sea, working as a fish technician at a salmon hatchery in Southeast Alaska, and beach seining for nearshore fishes in Kachemak Bay, Southcentral Alaska pertaining to her M.S. project. This interdisciplinary approach inspired her to seek a career in an integrative environment such as marine policy.
Lindsey Stadler: UAF student finalist for prestigious Knauss Fellowship
Ann-Christine Zinkann
Executive Fellow, 2020
International Ocean Liaison, NOAA Ocean Observing and Monitoring Division
Education: Ann-Christine earned a bachelor’s degree in biology at Ludwig‐Maximilians‐University in Munich, Germany, a master’s degree in biology at the University of Hamburg, Germany and her PhD in marine biology at UAF College of Fisheries & Ocean Sciences. Part of her PhD project focused on investigating the flow of carbon sources through benthic food webs in the Chukchi Sea.
Professional and Research Interests: Ann-Christine has participated in different research cruises working on food web analyses and identification of various benthic organisms in the Antarctic and Atlantic Ocean.
From Germany to Alaska to D.C., a Knauss fellow charts a new path through the pandemic
Amy Kirkham
Legislative Fellow, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski's Office, 2019
Education: Amy earned a bachelor’s degree with honors from Stanford University, where she studied marine biology. After beginning a master’s in biological sciences at the University of Alaska Anchorage, Kirkham transferred programs and is currently completing her Ph.D. in fisheries at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where she is focusing on Weddell seals.
Professional and Research Interests: Amy traveled to Antarctica seven times over four years to study the seals for her research. She also spent time in the Pribilof Islands during graduate school. These experiences have provided Kirkham with insight into polar issues that will make her unique among Knauss fellows.
Maggie Chan
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (Majority), Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, 2018
Education: BA in environmental biology, 2008, Barnard College, Columbia University; PhD in fisheries, 2018, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Professional and Research Interests: Maggie completed her PhD in fisheries at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, in August 2018, studying the effects of subsistence halibut regulations in Alaska with assistant professor Anne Beaudreau. “My results provide much needed information on the adaptations harvesters make in response to environmental and regulatory changes,” she said. Experience working in coastal communities from Madagascar to Alaska has inspired her career plan to work in international marine policy.
Maggie Chan: A Year on Capitol Hill
UAF student Maggie Chan awarded marine policy fellowship in DC
Maggie Chan: UAF student wins fellowship in nation’s capital
Kelly Cates
Executive Fellow, NOAA Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, 2017
Education: BS in marine biology, 2012, Western Washington University
Professional and Research Interests: Kelly expects to complete her MS in fisheries at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 2017. She is studying hormonal profiles of humpback whales to create baseline indices for future management decisions. “My studies pair nicely with my overall professional interests, sustainable conservation of natural resources,” Kelly said. She wants to foster cooperation between science, policy and stakeholders to create a system that can sustainably provide for all resource users. “I find work at the intersection of science and policy rewarding and engaging,” she said.
Fishlines: Alaska Knauss Fellows Have Positions in Washington DC
Charlotte Regula-Whitefield
Legislative Fellow, Office of U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, 2017
Education: MS in marine sciences, 2010, University of New England; BS in marine biology, 2008, Roger Williams University
Professional and Research Interests: Charlotte is finishing her PhD in marine biology at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. “I have always been fascinated by the unique adaptations of marine organisms to their environments, and coastal communities’ response to fluctuations in the marine resources they rely on,” she said. Charlotte is interested in public policy as well. She plans to continue to work with regional partners on resource management concerns and would like to become a marine scientist who is a liaison to managers and policy-makers. “These skills would be beneficial to me as I continue to work toward my career goal of developing multidisciplinary research alongside industry, community, and resource partners,” Charlotte said.
Fishlines: Alaska Knauss Fellows Have Positions in Washington DC
Thomas Farrugia
US House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs, 2015
Education: MS in marine biology, 2010, California State University, Long Beach; BS in biology, 2005, McGill University.
Professional and Research Interests: As a University of Alaska Fairbanks graduate student working toward a PhD in fisheries, Thomas has been studying sharks, skates and rays. His dissertation was put on hold for his year as a Knauss Fellow. After completing his doctorate, he said, “I’d like to work at the international level on developing fishery management plans with countries that may not have them.” Learning how legislation is crafted and what goes into the legislative process gave Thomas good experience with the public policy aspect of natural resource management in the oceans.
Fishlines: UAF PhD candidate hired by Falkland Islands Fisheries Department
Previous Alaska Knauss Fellows and what they're now doing
Some may be not be up to date, let us know!
- Maryann Bozza (2009) was a program manager with the Hatfield Marine Science Center at Oregon State University. She passed away in 2017.
- Celeste Leroux (2009) is deputy associate director for Oceans and Coasts at White House Council on Environmental Quality in Washington, D.C.
- Erin Steiner Malick (2009) is an economist with the National Marine Fisheries Service in Seattle, Washington
- Seanbob Kelly (2008) is a fishery management specialist with NOAA Fisheries in Juneau
- Erika Feller (1995) is senior advisor for North America Conservation at the Nature Conservancy in Virginia. She recently completed a two-year assignment working on ecosystem restoration issues as a member of the White House Council on Environmental Quality
- William Robie (1992) is the executive assistant of the Hardware Lumber Manufacturers Assoc. of Pennsylvania
- Carl Rebstock (1992) is a colonel in the US Army and executive director of Passionfish.org, a public education program devoted to seafood health and sustainability
- Jill Brady (1991) is an economist with the Pennsylvania Chemical Industry Council
- Ashely Evans (1991) is an attorney in Calgary, Alberta, Canada