Jacob Snyder, a doctoral student at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Hawaiʻi Institute of Biology (HIMB), recently attended the American Meteorological Society (AMS) Summer Policy Colloquium in Washington D.C. As a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow, Snyder was one of 40 early to mid-career earth and atmospheric scientists and professionals from various sectors selected to participate in this event.
During his time at the colloquium, Snyder learned about the intersection of science and policy from speakers working in the field. The structure of the U.S. government and effective ways to integrate science into the legislative process were key topics of discussion. Alongside his peers, Snyder also collaborated on a mock legislative exercise which further enriched his understanding of the subject matter.
One of the main takeaways from the experience for Snyder was the importance of bringing his authentic self into his work. As a queer scientist, he is eager to utilize his policy training to advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community and integrate his passion for science into the political realm. Snyder believes that having a diverse range of perspectives and voices involved in decision-making processes is crucial for developing effective and widely applicable solutions to future challenges. He is committed to being a voice for diversity and inclusion in his work moving forward.
For more information about Jacob Snyder’s experience at the AMS Summer Policy Colloquium and other research done by HIMB, you can visit their website.
