Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant announced Ashley Ohall as a 2026 finalist for the National Sea Grant College Program’s John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship. Ohall graduated from the University of Georgia in December 2025 with a master’s in marine sciences from UGA Franklin College’s Department of Marine Sciences. She completed her thesis research and coursework at the UGA Skidaway Institute of Oceanography.
Named in honor of John A. Knauss, the founder of the National Sea Grant Program, the prestigious, year-long fellowship places current and recent graduate students in host offices within the legislative and executive branches of government. Since its inception in 1979, the Knauss Fellowship has supported more than 1,762 early-career professionals who have gone on to make significant contributions to environmental policy, management and public service.
Knauss finalists are chosen through a competitive process that includes several rounds of review at both the state Sea Grant program and national levels. Ohall, who worked with SkIO faculty members Sara Rivero-Calle and Jay Brandes, was selected as a finalist following nomination by Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant and will join a cohort of 48 finalists representing 40 universities and 26 Sea Grant programs nationwide. They bring relevant experience and broad research interests to the program.
Ohall’s thesis research focused on studying microplastics using remote sensing. She worked to classify different types of plastic polymers based on how they reflect light with the goal of improving environmental impact assessments and informing policy development. She earned a bachelor’s in biotechnology from the University of Florida, along with a minor in sustainability studies.
“Policy offers a powerful pathway for science to drive meaningful change, and I want to gain a deeper understanding of the policymaking process,” Ohall said. “The fellowship provides an opportunity to bridge my scientific background with real-world decision making.”
As part of their fellowship, the 2026 finalists will participate in professional development opportunities, build their networks and have mentorship opportunities. This spring, the finalists will participate in the placement process, during which they will connect with one another and potential host offices. Sea Grant’s 47th class of Knauss fellows will officially begin their fellowships in June 2026.
The Knauss fellowship is funded by NOAA’s National Sea Grant College program. Placement of the 2026 finalists as fellows is contingent upon adequate funding in fiscal year 2026. Learn more about Sea Grant’s Knauss Fellowship and hear from current and past fellows about their experiences.
This article was originally published by UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant. It has been edited for republication on SkIO’s site.
About SkIO
The UGA Skidaway Institute of Oceanography (SkIO) is a multidisciplinary research and education institution located on Skidaway Island near Savannah, Georgia. The Institute was founded in 1967 with a mission to conduct research in all fields of oceanography. In 2013, SkIO was merged with the University of Georgia. The campus serves as a gateway to coastal and marine environments for programs throughout the University System. The Institute’s primary goals are to further the understanding of marine and environmental processes, conduct leading-edge research on coastal and marine systems, and train tomorrow’s scientists.