COLUMBUS, OH Ohio Sea Grant is proud to announce that three Ohio finalists have been selected for the 45th class of the Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship. The three finalists will spend a year in Washington, D.C. in executive and legislative host offices to work on critical marine, coastal, and Great Lakes policy issues.

Emilia DiBiasio recently graduated from Cleveland State University, earning a Master of Environmental Science in May 2024. She has been placed as a Budget and Planning Fellow at the Resource Management Division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Marine and Aviation Operations.

“Throughout my educational and professional experiences, my longstanding goal has been to work towards a position that allows me to leverage my expertise in Great Lakes research to benefit communities through advocacy and research initiatives,” DiBiasio said. “I have been fortunate enough to build a deep understating of our freshwater ecosystems throughout my higher education. However, I believe the true value of this knowledge lies in its application to inform actionable policies and to educate the public.”

Rachael Finigan recently received her Ph.D. from The Ohio State University’s Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, where she researched Ohio reservoir largemouth bass populations. She has been placed as a Sea Grant Research Specialist at the National Sea Grant Office.

“My favorite part of my career is managing my team of researchers, working with them to conduct research and helping them grow as scientists,” Finigan said. “My career goal is to work with natural resource agencies, managing programs to implement research and management of aquatic ecosystems while fostering an inclusive and supportive community. The Knauss Fellowship provides the opportunity to foster connections with government agencies and enhance my analytical and communication skills.”

Kaitlin Ulin is a recent graduate of The Ohio State University, where they earned a Master of Science in Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology. Their legislative placement will be announced at the end of January.

“The Knauss Fellowship first piqued my interest during my time working at Ohio Sea Grant’s Stone Lab and at OSU’s Aquatic Ecology Lab,” Ulin said. “During this time, I envisioned the multiple career paths that I could take though the field of aquatic ecology. All roads led through the Knauss Fellowship, a program which can connect academics with a passion for aquatic conservation with our nation’s top policy makers.”

These finalists are three of the 88 advanced degree students and recent graduates chosen for this one-year paid policy opportunity. This year, the finalists come from across all eligible Sea Grant programs. More information about the program is available at seagrant.noaa.gov/Knauss-Fellowship-Program.

The 2026 Knauss Fellowship is now accepting applications through state Sea Grant programs. For more information on applying through Ohio Sea Grant, please contact Ohio Sea Grant Associate Director Dr. Kristen Fussell at fussell.10@osu.edu. Ohio Sea Grant requires that all applicants contact the state office at least a month before the application deadline and that all application materials be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on February 19, 2025.

Ohio Sea Grant is supported by The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) School of Environment and Natural Resources, Ohio State University Extension, and NOAA Sea Grant, a network of 34 Sea Grant programs nation-wide dedicated to the protection and sustainable use of marine and Great Lakes resources. Stone Laboratory is Ohio State’s island campus on Lake Erie and is the research, education, and outreach facility of Ohio Sea Grant and part of CFAES School of Environment and Natural Resources.