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2021–2022 GSA-USGS Congressional

Science Fellow Announced

GSA and the U.S. Geological Survey are Geologists (AIPG), as well as from a petroleum research consor-
pleased to announce that Amanda Labrado tium. She completed an internship with Chevron and was also
will serve as the 2021–2022 GSA-USGS awarded the Bruce Davidson Memorial Award in Geosciences,
Congressional Science Fellow. She will spend which commends both scholastic excellence and community
a year working in the office of Representative involvement within the geosciences department.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). Labrado was born and raised by her single mother in El Paso,
Labrado is a biogeochemist with a broad Texas, which is a predominately Hispanic border community situ-
background in earth and environmental ated in the semiarid landscape between the Franklin Mountains and
sciences. She recently received her Ph.D. Rio Grande. Because this border region is greatly affected by air
Amanda Labrado from The University of Texas at El Paso pollution and drought, Labrado learned how inseparable socioeco-
(UTEP), where she studied how microbes nomics, policy, and science are and the challenge of successfully
facilitate the formation of minerals on the top of salt domes, and effectively communicating science with various audiences.
large geological features located beneath Earth’s surface. Her Because of this, she served as the president for the local chapter of
graduate research was supported by a NASA Earth and Space the Association for Women Geoscientists (AWG), which promotes
Science Fellowship for planetary studies because her project, women and other underrepresented groups in the geosciences, and
although centered around Earth-based observations and experi- president of the El Paso Geological Society, which aids in exposing
ments, has implications for the search for life elsewhere. the community of El Paso to local geological attractions. These
Through the course of her studies, Labrado broadened both organizations helped her engage with local teachers and students
her scientific and cultural horizons by conducting geophysical and non-scientists, helping her gain a unique perspective on the
surveys of the subsurface in South Africa, geomicrobiology in intersection between environmental, social, and political issues.
Spain, and cave research in Sicily and Cambodia, along with In her free time, Labrado is a 500-hour yoga teacher as well as
participating in international conferences. Labrado benefited a practitioner, an outdoor enthusiast, and she loves to travel. She
from financial support from both academia and industry, receiv- tutors at-risk K–12 students online with School on Wheels and
ing numerous scholarships from various organizations, including enjoys volunteering with initiatives to get people outdoors. When
GSA, the Society of Independent Professional Earth Scientists she is not exploring, she can be found eating lots of delicious
(SIPES) Foundation, and the American Institute of Professional vegan Mexican food with her family and friends.

C ALL FOR APPLIC ATIONS
2022–2023 GSA-USGS APPLICATION

Congressional Science Fellowship 15 JAN. 2022
DEADLINE:

Bring your science and technology expertise future of the geoscience profession,
to Capitol Hill to work at the interface between GSA and the USGS invite your
geoscience and public policy. application. The fellowship is open to
GSA members who are U.S. citizens or permanent
The GSA-USGS Congressional Science Fellowship residents. A Ph.D. at the time of appointment or a
provides a rare opportunity for a geoscientist to master’s degree in engineering plus five years of
spend a year working for a member of Congress or professional experience is required.
congressional committee. If you are a geoscientist Learn more at https://www.geosociety.org/csf
with a broad scientific background, experience or by contacting Kasey White, +1-202-669-0466,
applying scientific knowledge to societal kwhite@geosociety.org.
challenges, and a passion for helping shape the

32 GSA Today | November 2021