Sean McNally and Brianna Shaughnessy will serve in either legislative or executive offices
Two UMass Boston PhD candidates are among the 69 students who will have fellowships in Washington, D.C., in 2020 through the John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship program. Sean McNally and Brianna Shaughnessy will find out in the fall if they’ve been paired with a host in the legislative or executive office.
“We are really proud of Sean and Brianna, two shining examples of our newly developed transdisciplinary programs at UMass Boston integrating diverse disciplines to address complex problems found in coastal communities,” said Bob Chen, interim dean of UMass Boston’s School for the Environment. “Their important work bridging scientific research with impacts on society will continue with their rich experiences in Washington, D.C.”
The fellowship is designed to give graduate students who have an interest in ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources a unique educational and professional experience. It’s named after one of Sea Grant’s founders, former NOAA Administrator John A. Knauss. Sea Grant is a national network of 33 university-based programs which draws on the expertise of more than 3,000 scientists, engineers, public outreach experts, educators, and students to help citizens better understand, conserve, and utilize America’s coastal resources.
The Woods Hole Sea Grant program is sponsoring Sean McNally of Flemington, New Jersey. McNally is a PhD candidate in the intercampus Marine Science and Technology, PhD program working with Associate Professor of Sustainability and Solutions Michael Tlusty. His studies within Tlusty’s lab focus on examining state and municipal permitting systems and how to integrate new technologies into current aquaculture siting, monitoring, and regulation schemes. He has a master’s degree in marine science and technology from UMass Boston.
“As I have worked in finishing my PhD, I have had the opportunity to take a policy approach to parts of my research. Through this experience I have learned the importance of forging relationships and listening to the views of multiple parties. I am looking forward to the opportunity to place in either the executive or legislative branch for the Knauss fellowship and continue to hone these skills through a different lens other than my PhD research,” McNally said.
The MIT Sea Grant program is sponsoring Brianna Shaughnessy, a PhD candidate in environmental biology working with Assistant Professor of Biology Jarrett Byrnes. As a Cape Cod native, an integral part of Shaughnessy’s upbringing involved constantly questioning her relationship with the coastline and developing a deep respect for coastal communities. Her current research works collaboratively across communities and sectors to develop sustainable aquaculture practices for shellfish and seaweeds.
“The Knauss fellowship offers the unique development of collaborative networks that transcend traditional academic boundaries. I am looking forward to the opportunity to act as liaison between the community that raised me, and the policymakers and scientists, myself included, aiming to understand and protect it through research and conservation at the national level,” Shaughnessy said.
The Class of 2020 is the 41st fellowship class. Nearly 1,300 fellows have gone through the program so far. Fifty percent of alumni work for the federal government.