Newsroom

CORVALLIS - Two Oregon State University graduate students are recipients of one of the most prestigious ocean policy fellowships in the United States and are now at work in Washington, D.C.

Recipients of the Sea Grant federal fellowship are Christopher Krenz, a doctoral student in zoology, and Emily Larkin, who recently completed a master's degree in geography. Krenz and Larkin are Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellows, designated in honor of one of Sea Grant's founders and former National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator, John A. Knauss.

Krenz is working as a legislative fellow in the office of Congressman Sam Farr (D-Calif.), who represents the part of the California coast that includes Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay and Big Sur.

"I cannot think of a better way to learn about marine policy than the first-hand experience I will get in Congressman Farr's office," said Krenz.

Larkin is working in the office of the assistant administrator for oceans at NOAA.

"I am excited for the opportunity to see how science policy is made and how research is driven from within the federal government," said Larkin.

The fellows were nominated by the Oregon Sea Grant program at OSU, which has placed an average of one Knauss fellow per year since the fellowship program began in 1979. Thirty Sea Grant programs nominate fellows, who are then selected by a national committee. This year's final group of 40 men and women is the largest "class" of Knauss fellows to date, said Robert Malouf, Oregon Sea Grant director.

"After the year in their executive or legislative positions, the fellows have gained invaluable experience, which they then put to good use in federal or state agencies, academia, or other organizations," said Malouf. "It's a unique and valuable program."