Where are they now? Find out how the Knauss Fellowship helped shape the career of ’12 alum Fern Gibbons

Fern Gibbons joined Chairman Thune¡s staff for the Commerce Committee in 2014. She is Policy Director for Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard and Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security.Prior to joining the Commerce Committee, Dr. Gibbons worked for the Nature Conservancy, where she advocated for science-based environmental policy in the federal government.Dr. Gibbons received her Ph.D. from the MIT/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Joint Program in Oceanography. Her thesis focused on climate variability on long time scales. Her B.S. is from the University of Chicago where she studied the Geophysical Sciences and Biology.Fern was a Legislative Sea Grant Knauss Fellow in 2012. What was your fellowship placement?Senate Commerce Committee How did the Knauss Fellowship help you in your career?I’ve ended up back in the same office I did my fellowship, and I couldn’t be happier.What is one of your favorite memories from your fellowship?I had the opportunity to work on important issues with wonderful coworkers. Every day was an adventure.