Supermoon March 19

This weekend the moon will be at its closest to Earth (perigee) AND full at the same time. Bring on the Supermoon! Best viewing will be just after sunset...sunset will be 7:19pm and moonrise is at 7:39pm. The moon appears the largest when it's near the horizon (but don't be fooled, it's just an illusion). ENJOY.

NOAA Restoration Day Switchgrass Tanks

Several fellows have volunteered to lead or co-lead switchgrass tanks for this year's NOAA Restoration Day. Tanks will be set up in offices around NOAA and planted with switchgrass seeds. The plants will grow in their host offices until June 2, when they will be planted along the shore of the Potomac in Piscataway Park. NOAA employees (and fellows!) are encouraged to volunteer to plant the plant-lings so be sure to RSVP for a day out in the field! For more information you can contact the volunteer coordinator, our very own Kate Haber. You could also talk to tank leaders/co-leaders Denise, Amy, Lauren, Chelsea L., Amanda, Katrina or Emily.

12 Questions: Abby Graefe

Executive Fellow at the Naval Observatory
Policy Liaison, Oceanographer of the Navy
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*Side Note* That's Graefe, pronounced 'Griffey', like the baseball player...

Abby in Malta

1. Where were you before beginning Knauss, and what were you doing there? 

Directly before Knauss, I was at home in Chicago finishing my Master’s thesis. Prior to that, I lived in Malta for almost a year, completing the coursework for my Master’s degree! I was in the inaugural class of a joint program between James Madison University and the University of Malta in Sustainable Environmental Resources Management (SERM). 

2. What drew you to the position you chose? 

Many reasons! It is the only position that is offered with the Navy, while most Knauss positions are with NOAA. I figured that this would be my chance to work for an agency that I may never have the chance to work for again. The Navy works on a wide variety of ocean policy topics with agencies all over DC, the US, and even the world. Since I am not quite sure what I want to do, working with the Navy would give me a wide perspective to the many topics and issues in current ocean policy. And, I have to admit, that my all-time favorite TV show is NCIS – so that’s how this position initially caught my eye!

3. How will you use your background in your new office? 

I have a broad background - from marine biology to environmental management, and from managing a lab to teaching informal environmental education. Since I don’t have a specialized background, I have a range of skills and knowledge that can be tapped for many of the Navy’s interests.

4. What has been the biggest change for you since starting the fellowship? 

The full 8-hours straight of work! When I wrote my thesis, I did it in little spurts throughout the day (or sometimes just didn’t do it...).

5. What have you found to be your most essential piece of 'work attire'? 

My badge! Ha! I can’t get on the Naval Observatory grounds or access my computer without it – so the lanyard is always around my neck.

Where the heck is Malta?

6. Where is your favorite spot on Earth? 

The little Mediterranean island of Malta, or a boat on the Med.

7. What's at the top of your recommended reading list for someone wanting to explore a career in your field? 

I have to second Nicole’s choice of the Secret Life of Lobsters. Love that one! 

8. Personal favorite book? 

Harry Potter. I have read them all too many times to count. However, my favorite “grown-up” book would be A Thousand Splendid Suns. Couldn’t put it down.  

Whoa! Abby rock-climbing

9. What are your hobbies? 

Going to the gym! It’s my way to de-stress. I did a lot of indoor rock-climbing in Chicago, but haven’t had the time here because of work.  

10. What would you be doing if you hadn't gone into your field? 

No idea. I’ve been studying marine science since I was four! 

11. Who is your favorite historical scientist and why?

Jane Goodall knows science is cool!

Jane Goodall. I did a report on her in 4^th grade, and I just thought that she was so cool!

12. Any idea what you're doing next year? 

No clue! But I’m definitely thinking of getting back on the informal education track.

Ocean Leadership Public Policy Forum

Amanda, Bethany, Matt, Katrina, Andy, Chelsea and Nicole at the reception after the event.

The food was really good, as was the company.

Upcoming Fellow Events!

• Don't forget the DC Environmental Film Festival is running now til March 27th. 

• Silver Spring Kanuss lunches will continue every Friday at noon in the cafeteria in NOAA Building 3 (sorry downtowners! but if you're ever around please come join us)

Also coming up...

March 15: Tip Top/NOAA Toastmasters Open House. SSMC2 #12246. From Noon-1pm. 

 

March 17: Designing Effective & Enforceable Catch Share Systems at the Environmental Law Institute. Noon-2pm. RSVP requested by March 15.

March 17: St. Pat's Happy Hour for Fellows at Red Derby.

March 18: Lecture by EO Wilson at the Museum of Natural History. 7pm. No RSVP required. 

March 22: NOAA Brown Bag 'Closing the Gap-How Scientists Can Connect with the Public' with the Press Secretary for the Union of Concerned Scientists at noon in the NOAA Central Library. Also available via webinar.

March 23: Brown Bag for Knauss Fellows at the National Academies with the Ocean Studies Board. 500 5th St. NW. At noon. RSVP to Chelsea by March 18.

March 28-30 - Ocean Studies Board Meeting.

March 29: Troubled Waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Dr. Nancy Rabalais. A Roger Revelle Commemorative Lecture (and reception) at the Museum of Natural History. 5:30pm. Registration requested here.

12 Questions: Nicole Rohr

Legislative Fellow in Senator Roger Wicker's Office (MS)
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1. Where were you before beginning Knauss, and what were you doing there?
Prior to the Knauss Fellowship, I was working on my Ph.D. in Biology at the University of Rhode Island. My dissertation research focuses on the community impacts of the invasive Asian shore crab, particularly how their invasion and exclusion of other crab species impacts the algal composition and abundance on rocky intertidal shores.

2. What drew you to the position you chose?
I chose the Office of Senator Wicker because I want to work to promote the sustainable human uses of marine resources while protecting ecosystem health and services. The Gulf of Mexico has faced many challenges in recent years that have impacted the natural resources and the Gulf Coast residents, but continues to be an area vital to the national economy.

3. How will you use your background in your new office?
My background in marine ecology with special interest in policy, communication, and social equity allows me to have a solid comprehension of the scientific underpinnings of marine policy while being mindful of the human dimension.

4. What has been the biggest change for you since starting the fellowship?
The pace of work on Capitol Hill is exponentially faster than that of graduate school! In my PhD program, I took 5 years to investigate specific answers to my research question, but on the Hill I often have five minutes to dig up information!

5. What have you found to be your most essential piece of 'work attire'?
My black blazer that I can put on over anything to make it business professional!

6. Where is your favorite spot on Earth?
South Andros Island, Bahamas. More specifically, Tiamo Resorts.

7. What's at the top of your recommended reading list for someone wanting to explore a career in your field?
I would recommend reading a broad range of books. Even though I study invertebrates - and really enjoyed The Secret Life of Lobsters by Trevor Corson - I also enjoy books about the history of science (A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson), biographies of famous scientists, (Einstein by Walter Isaacson), and popular non-fiction (The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot). I think researchers are naturally curious and a broad base of knowledge will always serve you well.

8. Personal favorite book?
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I am currently reading it for about the 8th time in my life!

9. What are your hobbies?
I enjoy reading for fun and run an online book club with two other women. I also enjoy SCUBA diving and am not opposed to sky diving if the view is worth the risk! I find cooking therapeutic, but my specialties run along the lines of southern comfort food.

10. What would you be doing if you hadn't gone into your field?
I would have most likely become an accountant.

11. Who is your favorite historical scientist and why?
Ah, the question all scientists are asked. I would have to say Leonardo Fibonacci. I know, I know, he was a mathematician and not a scientist, but I am completely enthralled by how often and what ways the Fibonacci sequence and the golden ratio appear in nature. So, there is at least a science connection...

12. Any idea what you're doing next year?
I always hold out hope of meeting an obscure Prince and becoming a Princess. Dr. Princess Nicole - it has a nice ring to it!

Knauss Involvement in February

Way to hit the ground running! In our first month in DC, there were Knauss Fellows at all of the following events...

Feb. 9: Sea Grant Reception at the US Botanic Gardens
Feb. 10: 112th Congress Welcome Reception for Ocean and Coastal Science Community
 (play 'Find the Fellows' at Ocean Leadership's Flickr page for the event)
Feb. 14-16: Communicating Science Workshop
Feb. 15: Coastal America's Student Summit on Oceans and Coasts
Feb: 16: Women's Aquatic Network (WAN) Fellow's Happy Hour
Feb. 17-21: AAAS Annual Meeting
Feb 20: Union of Concerned Scientists Communicating Science Reception
Feb. 24: NOS Communications Seminar - Communication in a Mobile World
Feb. 24: Australian Ambassador's 2011 Speakers Series: Coral Reef Planning - Biodiversity and Fisheries by Bob Pressey at the Australian Embassy
Feb. 24: Changing Tides Seminar: Climate, Oceans and Human Health-The Cholera Paradigm by Dr. Rita Calwell
Feb. 28: NOAA Brown Bag Seminar - The Sargasso Sea Project

I'm sure I've missed some so please email me with events you attended in February!