Janine Barr

My name is Janine Barr and I am a second-year graduate student pursuing a Master’s in Oceanography with Dr. Daphne Munroe as my advisor. I am based at the Haskin Shellfish Research Lab (HSRL) and I study the ecosystem services provided by oyster aquaculture in the Delaware Bay region

My interest in studying oceanography at Rutgers stems from my experiences in environmental policy. My first policy experience occurred in the summer of 2014 when I interned for the US Department of State’s Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs. Then, after graduating from Gettysburg College in 2015, I worked for three years as an ORISE Research Fellow for the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Water. I enjoyed the work immensely which solidified my interest in pursuing a career in marine policy. Furthermore, in these roles I learned how important science and site-specific data are in creating implementable and protective environmental policies for the ocean. As a result, I felt that to be a more effective marine policymaker, I needed to enhance my understanding of the scientific field itself by attending graduate school. With almost a year and a half of my master’s completed, I have learned a great deal and look forward to learning more!