UMBS researcher and U-M graduate student in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Jasmine Crumsey, has been selected by the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) to participate in exclusive training for Climate Science Day on Capitol Hill 2012.  Crumsey is one of only 8 scientists chosen nationally for the meeting.  NEON evaluated applicants based on their ability “to effectively communicate the impacts of large-scale environmental changes on natural resources and the complex interactions between climate and ecosystems.”

Climate Science Day brings multi-disciplinary teams from nine scientific societies and organizations (NEON among them) to the Capitol.  These scientists then meet with lawmakers of all ranks and political persuasions.  The hope is that exposure to accurate science and a variety of experts will inform and improve legislators’ climate policy decisions.  

In her application, Crumsey noted, “Communicating the impacts of large-scale environmental changes on natural resources and complex interactions within ecosystems is relevant to my training as an ecologist, and my intent to remain active in science policy throughout my professional career.”  She and her cohort of early-career scientists will receive an intensive day of training prior to Climate Science Day itself.  

At UMBS, Crumsey is studying how earthworm species interactions affect carbon storage in forests.  For this work she received a National Science Foundation Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant last spring.