Two LSU Graduate Students Awarded Prestigious National Academies’ Gulf Research Science Policy Fellowships

Two LSU graduate students Allison Snider and Jordan R. Logarbo are among the eight fellows the Gulf Research Program, or GRP, of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine announced as recipients of its 2021 Science Policy Fellowships.

Snider, who is a doctoral candidate in the LSU School of Renewable Natural Resources with a concentration in wildlife biology, will be conducting her fellowship at the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council in New Orleans.

“In my time at LSU, I have learned a lot about not just conducting scientific research, but also how to best communicate my work with various audiences. This is a major skill that I'll be bringing into this fellowship, along with other technical skills that I picked up at LSU, like writing, organizing seminars and leading collaborative projects,” said Snider, who is originally from Novi, Michigan.

Logarbo, who is a master’s degree candidate in fisheries and aquaculture in the LSU School of Renewable Natural Resources, will conduct her fellowship at the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory in the Ocean Chemistry and Ecosystems Division in Miami. 

“I will be working with commercial and recreational fisherman and learning about their needs and how to effectively communicate really cool coastal science impacting their catches,” said Logarbo, who is originally from Geismar. “My career goals are science policy and environmental education and outreach. The fellowship will definitely be a great first experience with teaching me how to effectively communicate science policy to coastal communities.”

During the fellows’ year of service, they will apply their scientific expertise and perspectives to ensure policymakers are making decisions based on the best available information and to generate more knowledge to better inform future policy decisions.

“The Science Policy Fellowship is a win-win for fellows and their host organizations who come to this program with a big, structural challenge to solve,” said Karena Mary Mothershed, program head and senior program manager for the GRP’s Board on Gulf Education and Engagement. “These talented fellows gain valuable experience in the craft and process of policymaking. In turn, policy decision-makers gain access to excellent researchers, who help advance evidence-based policy for the benefit of communities in the Gulf.” 

Fellows will work on a number of projects at the intersection of science and policy. 

“This year’s class of fellows share a track record of excellence in research, a passion for communicating science to decision-makers and the public and a commitment to incorporating equity and inclusion into their work,” said Maeesha Saeed, program officer and fellowships coordinator for the GRP. “We are so pleased with their talent and their passion for public service.” 

Each fellow is paired with a mentor, who will work with them to develop their goals and a professional plan for the fellowship term. Throughout the fellowship year, fellows will have professional development opportunities to network, strengthen technical skills and discuss relevant issues and share best practices across their respective organizations.

Now in its fifth year, the fellowship program has a network of 52 alumni. It supports the development of scientists from a range of scientific disciplines — including social and behavioral sciences, health sciences and medicine, engineering and physical sciences, and earth and life sciences. Alumni of the fellowship program have gone on to pursue promising careers at federal, state and local government agencies, at nonprofit organizations and as tenure-track professors.