“One of the most valuable parts of this fellowship is the opportunity to meet and work with so many like-minded individuals.”

Summer Responsibilities: While working directly with Assistant State Forester Terry Lasher on the Virginia Clean Economy Act, Teri attended several stakeholder meetings that provided insight into behind-the-scenes policymaking and conducted a literature review on the value of a carbon life-cycle analysis when evaluating the use of biomass as fuel.

Background: Teri’s academic focus has been on evidence-based decision making, sustainability analysis, and creating mitigation and adaptation plans for areas impacted by climate change. Teri has gained valuable experience as an adjunct supervising instructor for introductory biology labs, a lab manager, and a graduate assistant while at Christopher Newport University. She is passionate about environmental science and is eager to work with local policymakers to make a positive impact on the community.