Looking Forward: Marine Science & Policy in the New Administration

Join us for an informal panel discussion about the role of ocean issues and science in the new administration.

Panelists will discuss their perspectives on the outlook for oceans, how they and their respective organizations are mobilizing, and suggestions for how early career ocean-interested students can get involved. Audience members will have the opportunity to submit questions during the event.

Panel discussion will begin at 5:30pm, followed by a reception with light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments

Aimee David serves as the director of ocean conservation policy strategies at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Since joining the Aquarium in 2005, Aimee has helped develop and advance federal and state policies to improve ocean health and protect marine wildlife in California, at the national level, and throughout the Pacific Ocean. Specifically, Aimee has helped lead Aquarium initiatives to ban the trade of shark fin products in California, reduce ocean plastic pollution, and raise awareness of the impacts of climate change on oceans and coasts. She also helped create the Aquarium Conservation Partnership, which aims to increase the collective conservation impact of U.S. aquariums. Prior to the Aquarium, Aimee served on the staff of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy in Washington, DC, where she participated in the research and development of a comprehensive suite of recommendations to the President and Congress for improving U.S. ocean governance and management. Aimee is a graduate of the University of Virginia and received her M.S. in marine resource management from Oregon State University.

Emily Knight is Program Director at Ocean Science Trust, a boundary organization committed to linking science with decision-making. At Ocean Science Trust, Emily oversees programs in fisheries and ocean acidification and hypoxia, and works closely with the Ocean Protection Council Science Advisory Team. Prior to joining Ocean Science Trust, Emily was the California Science/Policy Coordinator for COMPASS, where she worked in marine science communication. Emily also spent years in the U.S. House of Representatives, first as a Sea Grant Fellow in Marine Policy for Congressman Tom Allen of Maine, and then as Professional Staff for the Water and Power Subcommittee of the House Natural Resources Committee. Emily holds a M.S. in Oceanography from the University of Maine

Sam Farr, a Democrat and fifth-generation Californian, represented the state's beautiful 20th Congressional District from 1993 - 2016. A graduate of the Monterey Institute for International Studies, he is recognized as a leader in legislative efforts for educational excellence, environmental protection, and economic development. He has been a long time ocean advocate: he was an original co-chair of the bipartisan House Oceans Caucus, authored the 2000 Oceans Act, and introduced the Oceans Conservation, Education, and National Strategy for the 21st Century Act. He and his wife Shary are the proud grandparents of two seventh-generation Californians, Ella and Zachary Fisher.