Heidi Geisz and Anna Huntley Coffey, graduate students at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science at Gloucester Point, have earned prestigious John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowships through the National Sea Grant Federal Fellows Program.

This one-year fellowship matches outstanding graduate students from around the United States with hosts in legislative or executive offices in Washington, D.C., said David Malmquist, director of communications at VIMS. "The program provides a unique educational experience for students with interest in policy decisions affecting ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources," he said.

Geisz and Coffey recently completed "placement week," which Malmquist said is a program that begins with two days of briefings with Congressional staffers, current fellows and members of host offices.

Geisz was selected as a legislative fellow, and was placed on the Committee on Natural Resources—Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and W...