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Lake Champlain Sea Grant is excited to introduce Julia Plotkin and Sierrah Mueller, our two 2025 Knauss Marine Policy Fellows who will both be based in Washington DC for their year-long fellowships. Julia and Sierrah bring incredible experiences, unique perspectives, and a shared enthusiasm for protecting and managing our water resources through policy.

The Knauss Fellowship places recent graduates in executive or legislative roles within the federal government. Julia will serve as the Special Assistant to the Senior Advisor for Coastal Inundation and Resilience at NOAA’s National Ocean Service Headquarters. Sierrah will take on the role of legislative fellow, working with a Representative, Senator, or on a Committee.

Julia Plotkin earned her master’s degree in Marine and Environmental Science from the University of the Virgin Islands and has worked on everything from mangrove restoration to aquaculture planning. During her Peace Corps service in the Philippines, Julia helped local communities develop marine conservation plans and protect critical habitats. Back in the U.S. Virgin Islands, she used her skills as an Environmental Specialist to turn science into action, guiding projects that balanced ecosystem health with the needs of local communities.

“I am eager to dive deeper into federal marine policy through this fellowship,” shared Julia. “I hope to work on projects that build climate resilience and explore how science can drive innovative solutions for coastal and freshwater systems.”

Sierrah Mueller also recently completed her master’s in Marine and Environmental Science at the University of the Virgin Islands, where she studied how juvenile parrotfish use different habitats. Sierrah has worked in the field and the classroom. She’s led mangrove restoration projects in the U.S. Virgin Islands, taught hurricane preparedness to local students, and interned with the U.S. State Department in Fiji, where she learned about the global challenges of marine conservation.

“Through the Knauss Fellowship, I hope to make marine policy more inclusive by amplifying community voices, especially those often left out of decision-making,” said Sierrah. “I’m excited to tackle big-picture issues with real-world impact.”

Both Julia and Sierrah embody what the Knauss Fellowship is all about: connecting science, policy, and communities to make a difference. Lake Champlain Sea Grant is overseeing these fellows on behalf of the National Sea Grant College Program in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Their work aligns with Lake Champlain Sea Grant’s mission, and the Lake Champlain Sea Grant program will benefit from the knowledge and perspectives Julia and Sierra share during the course of their fellowship.

“The Knauss Fellowship is an unparalleled opportunity for outstanding early career professionals to experience and contribute to federal policy-making and resource management. Knauss alumni say that the fellowship is transformative for their careers,” said Anne Jefferson, Lake Champlain Sea Grant Director. “We are thrilled to support Julia Plotkin and Sierrah Mueller as Knauss Fellows, and we look forward to seeing the impact that they will make during their Fellowships and beyond.”

Applications for the 2026 Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship are now open! This prestigious program provides graduate students and recent graduates the opportunity to spend a year in Washington, D.C., gaining hands-on experience in marine and coastal policy. The application details are available on our website. In addition to the Knauss Fellowships, Lake Champlain Sea Grant is accepting applications for the and the National Marine Fisheries Service/Sea Grant Joint Fellowship. Please email Anna.Marchessault [at] uvm.edu (Anna Marchessault) if you have any questions.

Stay tuned for updates as Julia and Sierrah dive into their fellowships!