CCST Science Fellows in the News: Snow Day

Water in California is a regular highlight in national news — and recently, CCST Science Fellows were right in the mix. Dan Brumbaugh ’16, John Thompson ’16, and Sarah Carvill ’16 were on hand for the March 30th snow survey conducted by the California Department of Water Resources. They joined Frank Gehrke, the DWR Chief of the California Cooperative Snow Surveys Program, to assist him at various measurement sites, as well as the media event discussing the state of California’s snowpack.

In a widely published AP photo (Associated Press, March 31, 2016), Brumbaugh is seen holding the scale as Carvill and Thompson assist, while Frank Gehrke checks the weight of the snow sample.

Brumbaugh writes:

“Seeing the manual snow sampling program, which has its origins in 1929, and hearing more about the rest of the science of measuring and modeling snowpack accumulation and melting… was just fascinating and fantastic. It was a great day!”

The National Science Foundation (NSF) iBiology website featured Debra Cooper ’15 in their video series! In this fun “Careers in Science Policy” primer video and blogpost, Cooper talks about her path from neuroscience research to her time as a CCST Science Fellow, and she explains the different legislative, executive, and advocacy roles a policy professional might take up. Kudos to Cooper for delivering this 13-minute talk with barely a break for breath! (iBiology.org, April 5, 2016)

California Department of Conservation Director David Bunn recently visited CCST’s downtown Sacramento office for our Friday Seminar. Director Bunn received his PhD in Conservation Ecology from UC Davis, and he spent his lunch break with the 2016 CCST Science Fellows Class to share his career path story and his insights on policymaking in the State of California. (@CalConservation, April 15, 2016)

And don’t forget to keep up with CCST Science Fellows on our very own blog! Our most recent posts:

Sarah Brady ’14 spent years as a graduate student researcher, and as a CCST Science Fellow, she was able to make real-world change for women and men juggling births in their families while completing their graduate studies. “My Fellowship experience absolutely solidified my career direction in science policy,” says Brady. “I know that wherever my career takes me, it will still be in this field.” Find out why in our latest “Fellows Profile” blogpost! (CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows Blog, March 29, 2016)

And shadow a day in the life of a CCST Science Fellow in our latest “Fellows in Training” blogpost. John Thompson ’16 shares a whirlwind day as a legislative staffer, three months into the job. Read on to find out how this former materials science engineer has adapted to the world of policy alchemy. (CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows Blog, April 12, 2016)

Follow updates from the CCST Science Fellows on Facebook at facebook.com/ccstfellows, on Twitter @CCSTFellows, and on LinkedIn. Learn more about the CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship here.