Florida Sea Grant is honored to welcome the newest cohort of fellows representing the state as part of the 2026 John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship.
The Knauss Fellowship program, sponsored by the National Sea Grant College Program since 1979, offers graduate students a one-year fellowship opportunity in marine policy-related positions in the legislative and executive branches of the U.S. federal government. Fellows and their host offices work together on policy decisions that affect our nation’s coastal, marine, and Great Lakes resources.
“Welcoming a new cohort of Knauss Fellows is always a highlight for Florida Sea Grant. We get to see firsthand the incredible talent and dedication these students bring to marine policy,” says Dr. Sherry Larkin, Florida Sea Grant Director. “We look forward to supporting them as they launch their careers and serve as vital voices for our marine resources.”
Knauss finalists are selected through a competitive process that includes comprehensive review at both the state and national Sea Grant program levels. Florida’s fellows join a national cohort totaling 45 Executive and Legislative fellows representing 26 Sea Grant programs and graduate students from 40 universities nation-wide.
Meet the 2026 Knauss Fellows from Florida Sea Grant:
Jessica “Jess” Boyer
University of South Florida, Ph.D.
Executive Branch – NOAA National Ocean Service, Office of the Assistant Administrator
Jess Boyer graduated in 2026 from the University of South Florida (USF) with her Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering. Her research under advisor Dr. Mauricio Arias focused on the intersection of engineering, public health, and environmental policy, with a specific emphasis on emerging contaminants in coastal ecosystems. She holds a M.S. in Environmental Engineering also from USF and a B.S. in Bioengineering from the University of Maryland where she was selected as a NOAA Hollings Scholar. The scholarship provided her with a research experience that revealed the profound influence of environmental management decisions and the critical role of public policy in protecting coastal ecosystems, sparking her commitment to public service.
As a graduate research fellow in the Watershed Sustainability Laboratory at USF, Jess investigated the fate and transport of microplastics in urban aquatic systems connected to coastal waterways which impact ecological, economic, and public health domains. She conducted full-scale sampling assessments of microplastics and while analyzing the biological, chemical, and physical changes of microplastics over the course of this research project, she was able to highlight the need for focused degradation efforts. By advancing the understanding of microplastic pollution, Jess’s work not only informs decision-making but also supports resilience of coastal ecosystems and communities.
Jess now has the opportunity to bring her expertise to NOAA’s National Ocean Service (NOS) within the Office of the Assistant Administrator where she’ll be hosted during her fellowship. Here, she hopes to integrate her research background with hands-on experience in federal policymaking to make a tangible difference.
“The Knauss Fellowship represents the perfect culmination of my academic and professional journey, serving as a pivotal step toward my career in coastal water quality policy.” – Jess Boyer
Alexis Burns
University of Miami, M.P.S & J.D.
Legislative Branch – Office of Sen. Cory Booker (NJ)
Alexis Burns graduated in 2025 from the University of Miami (UM) with both her J.D. from UM School of Law and her Master of Professional Science (M.P.S.) in Marine Affairs from UM’s Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, & Earth Science. Her academic and professional journey has been defined by a deep commitment to environmental advocacy and public service. Alexis also holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Geoscience and Political Science from Boston College, where she completed an honors thesis on nitrogen pollution in Casco Bay. Her personal, professional, and academic experiences inspired a lifelong dedication to ocean conservation and governance.
Alexis has built an extensive portfolio in federal environmental law through legal internships and fellowships during her graduate studies. During her time as a legal intern for the Miccosukee Tribe Office of the General Counsel in 2024, Alexis addressed legal matters involving Federal Indian Law, administrative law, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act. Paired with her experience as a legal fellow with the University of Miami Environmental Clinic, Alexis has spent significant time engaging with local residents to share public policy resources to help empower them to foster change within their communities.
Alexis is eager to now step onto the national stage to bridge the disciplines of marine science and law, putting her experience to practice as she joins the legislative side of the Knauss Fellowship. This year, she will be hosted by the teams in Senator Cory Booker’s (NJ) Office in our nation’s capital where she aims to seek common ground and practical solutions to advance ocean and environmental governance.
“I’m excited to dive deep into marine and environmental policy and apply my legal and scientific backgrounds to craft legislation that is grounded in sound science.” – Alexis Burns