As a fellow, he will be matched with members of Congress and will serve as a legislative assistant in their office for one year. In this role, he or she will take on a variety of responsibilities, which may include briefing members and staff on scientific and technical topics, meeting with constituents and special interest groups, writing problem and policy summaries, drafting and negotiating texts for legislation, coordinating surveillance investigations. , writes talking points, speeches and press releases, and serves as liaison and coordination with committees.
“I am passionate about harnessing science for the public good and I look forward to putting my training and scientific background to work in addressing these diverse challenges,” said Palmer. “For me, this fellowship is an unparalleled opportunity to gain hands-on experience in federal policy-making and to build skills that will provide a real scaffolding on which I can continue to build a career at the science-policy interface.”
The UC Merced research community has benefited greatly from Palmer’s time on campus. He has mentored graduate students in the Berhe and Kim research groups while creating synergies among those interested in forest fires from a wide range of disciplines spanning all three schools: Engineering, Natural and Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts.
“Dr. Ph.D. research focused on past climates from the perspective of oceanic records. In the final years of the Ph.D. and as the Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellow, he began to explore biogeochemical cycles and climate change through the lens of fire,” said Kim. “This range of research interests prepares Dr. Palmer is well on his way to his future position as a GSA USGS Congressional Science Fellow.”
“I’m really excited to learn in the fast-paced environment of Congress and to work on new and varied challenges every day,” said Palmer.
