Christopher Pickens Email & Phone Number

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

This position provides a supporting role in the development and implementation of effective campaign strategies to achieve project objectives that will result in the International Seabed Authority adopting precautionary rules that ensure mining does not occur unless and until the effective protection of the marine environment can be secured. Responsibilities include:• Assisting in review, synthesis, and communication of technical developments, including scientific information about the… Show more This position provides a supporting role in the development and implementation of effective campaign strategies to achieve project objectives that will result in the International Seabed Authority adopting precautionary rules that ensure mining does not occur unless and until the effective protection of the marine environment can be secured. Responsibilities include:• Assisting in review, synthesis, and communication of technical developments, including scientific information about the deep ocean and/or regulatory information about the ongoing development of the Mining Code and proposed draft language;• Developing and coordinating the production of scientific and policy documents and outreach materials for the project to inform the development of the Mining Code text;• Representing Pew and the project at meetings, multilateral forums, conferences and other events, as needed;• Assisting in the development and management of grants, contracts and contractors to advance the goals of the project; and• Researching, writing, and editing campaign materials such as reports, policy briefs, fact sheets, presentations, comment letters, and web content. Show less

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

My primary roles on the Committee will be to draft legislation, committee reports, and markup and hearing memos. In addition, I will make recommendations for science and innovation policies and lead meetings with constituents, stakeholders and agency officials. My portfolio will be primarily geared towards topics that fall under the responsibility of the Subcommittee on Science, Ocean, Fisheries, and Weather. The Subcommittee on Science, Oceans, Fisheries, and Weather is responsible… Show more My primary roles on the Committee will be to draft legislation, committee reports, and markup and hearing memos. In addition, I will make recommendations for science and innovation policies and lead meetings with constituents, stakeholders and agency officials. My portfolio will be primarily geared towards topics that fall under the responsibility of the Subcommittee on Science, Ocean, Fisheries, and Weather. The Subcommittee on Science, Oceans, Fisheries, and Weather is responsible for legislation and oversight of science, technology, engineering, and math research, development, and policy; standards and measurement, and matters that impact our oceans, coasts and inland waterways including: coastal zone management; marine fisheries and marine mammals; oceans, weather, and atmospheric activities. The subcommittee is responsible for overseeing the National Science Foundation, National Institute of Standards and Technology, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.Skills include: Policy Research, Legislation, Stakeholder Engagement, Writing, and Science Communication. Show less

Fort Johnson, Charleston, Sc

Primary Roles: 1) Assist with collection and processing of fish samples for fishery independent assessment program covering the US Southeast Atlantic Region. This consisted of approximately 40 days at-sea each year collecting reef fish species, recording species/number/lengths/weights, gathering life history information, consisting primarily of otolith and gonad samples, and lab work processing life history samples. 2) Thesis Work: "Evaluating the Effectiveness of Marine Protected… Show more Primary Roles: 1) Assist with collection and processing of fish samples for fishery independent assessment program covering the US Southeast Atlantic Region. This consisted of approximately 40 days at-sea each year collecting reef fish species, recording species/number/lengths/weights, gathering life history information, consisting primarily of otolith and gonad samples, and lab work processing life history samples. 2) Thesis Work: "Evaluating the Effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) for Reef Fish Species in the Southeast United States Atlantic Ocean." For my thesis I evaluated three of the eight "deep-water" MPAs off the Southeast Atlantic coast, which were implemented in 2009. I examined the impact of MPA implementation on abundance, lengths, ages, and species composition of commercially important snapper grouper species, using catch data time series (2000-2018) supplied by the US fisheries independent Southeast Reef Fish Survey. Skills included: Field work, Data Analysis (R program), Writing, and Science Communication. Show less

Charleston, South Carolina Area

Thesis work: Evaluating effectiveness of marine protected areas in the US Southeast Atlantic in collaboration with SCDNR, Marine Resources Monitoring Assessment and Prediction Program.

Facilitated NOAA scientific operations as a Junior Officer aboard NOAA Ship Nancy Foster: Aboard the Nancy Foster, I served as the operations officer, assisting scientists with planning and execution of research objectives; the navigation officer, creating and implementing safe navigation plans; and the environmental compliance officer, ensuring the ship complied with all state and federal environmental regulations. Most notably, as the acting operations and navigation officer, I directly… Show more Facilitated NOAA scientific operations as a Junior Officer aboard NOAA Ship Nancy Foster: Aboard the Nancy Foster, I served as the operations officer, assisting scientists with planning and execution of research objectives; the navigation officer, creating and implementing safe navigation plans; and the environmental compliance officer, ensuring the ship complied with all state and federal environmental regulations. Most notably, as the acting operations and navigation officer, I directly assisted 23 different institutions (International, Federal, State, and Academic) with the planning and implementation of research objectives from the Caribbean to the Long Island Sound. Show less

Research in Kachemak Bay, Alaska with the NOAA Kasitsna Bay Lab

Monterey, Ca

Communicated with patrons about Seafood Watch’s sustainable seafood assessments.

Monterey, Ca

Taught high school students about marine conservation issues and how to communicate conservation messages to aquarium guests.

Homer, Ak

Research

Naples, Me

Swim and Golf Instructor

Master'S Degree, Marine Biology

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Biology And Geology

Activities and Societies: Honor Committee Varsity Swim Team Varsity Golf Team Sigma Xi Double Major in Biology and Geology. 3.85 GPA