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Bonamici said that she is on geoscientists’ side and will continue 2015–2016 GSA-USGS Congressional
to be an advocate for funding scientific research. Science Fellow
Elizabeth Duffy, the government relations director for the
Seismological Society of America, then honored Representative
Tom Cole (R-OK) for his support of geoscience research and his
wise management of natural resources. Cole expressed his thanks
and said that he is “not used to getting these kinds of accolades,”
but supports up-and-coming science.
David Applegate, the acting deputy director of the USGS,
echoed the speakers’ gratitude for the Representatives’ support
during his speech at the reception.
Reaching Out to Congress Karen Paczkowski
Participants began their next day back on Capitol Hill meeting GSA is pleased to announce that Karen Paczkowski is serving
with their members. Participants were clear in their message on as the 2015–2016 GSA-USGS Congressional Science Fellow in
the importance of sustained funding for geoscience and enthusi- Senator Edward Markey’s office. During her year on the Hill,
astic when sharing their research with policymakers. Paczkowski hopes to tackle national challenges in energy, the
environment, and STEM education. She plans to work on topics
“My hope is that I was a tangible reminder to congressional including (but not limited to) U.S. energy security, clean energy,
staffers that money spent on education and research translates protection and sustainable use of natural resources, climate
into professionals who can perform tasks that benefit society,” change mitigation and adaption, development of a competitive
Deurlington said. Jon Price, GSA’s current president, connected STEM workforce, and federal investment in STEM research
with his local Nevada Representative’s office. The office returned and education.
Price’s interest and sent a staffer to an open house of the Nevada
Bureau of Mines and Geology to learn about geological hazards Paczkowski holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Boston
and mineral and energy resources. Marisa Repasch, a graduate University and both an M.S. in mechanical engineering and a Ph.D.
student at the University of New Mexico who received travel in geology and geophysics from Yale University. Her research
support from GSA’s Rocky Mountain Section, visited focused on determining the physical processes that control litho-
Representative Michelle Lujan Grisham’s (D-NM) office. Along spheric drip instabilities and mantle flow in subduction zones,
with her team members, Repasch closely connected with and demonstrated that anomalous observations in many regions
Grisham’s office and discovered that Grisham is interested in New can be explained as extensions to the theory of plate tectonics.
Mexico’s geoscience research, especially the environmental
impacts of the Gold King Mine spill into the Animas River, which Paczkowski has worked in industry, academia, and at non-
flows through New Mexico. profits on topics that span science, engineering, and policy. She
has conducted research on blood flow, mantle convection, and
“Geology is a significant part of New Mexico’s economy, earthquake dynamics; designed airplane thermodynamic
culture, and health, and it is impossible to have a functioning systems; and worked with policymakers to broaden support for
society without geoscientists,” Repasch said in an email. “I am investment in STEM research and education.
excited about all the new connections that were created between
congress and their geoscientist constituents. I am sure that our This past year, Paczkowski served as GSA’s Science Policy
actions on Capitol Hill will have a positive impact on the federal Fellow. Paczkowski’s primary role as the GSA Fellow was to act as
funding appropriated for geoscience research.” a liaison between scientists and policy makers. She trained scien-
tists to better communicate the value of their science to both
policymakers and the public through communications workshops, GSA TODAY | www.geosociety.org/gsatoday
webinars, and on-site training sessions. She kept GSA members
updated and involved in the policy process by publishing articles
about upcoming legislation, science policy events, and the impor-
tance of federal investment in science. She also worked with coali-
tions of science organizations to write strategic communications
and plan Hill events for policymakers on the possible ramifica-
tions of upcoming science related legislation.
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