Bradshaw’s work is focused on coastal and marine conservation research in the Florida Keys. She strives to increase knowledge surrounding coastal and marine ecosystems while also increasing abilities to properly manage them. The Katherine S. McCarter Graduate Student Policy Award (GSPA) will help further her mission to provide actionable insights for resource management in a changing world.
“I was super thrilled and surprised. It’s a competitive award, so I was excited to get the opportunity to go do some science policy work in Washington,” said Bradshaw. “It means a lot to me to be recognized by such a huge society in the ecology world, especially for something like science policy. It’s a more niche field where not a lot of ecologists get to make those connections and networking was something that will help my future career.”
ESA is the world’s largest community of professional ecologists and a trusted source of ecological knowledge committed to advancing the understanding of life on Earth. The Katherine S. McCarter GSPA honors students engaged in advocacy with an interest in science policy. This year’s 20 awardees recently traveled to Washington, D.C., for policy, communication and career training, followed by meetings with lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
In D.C., Bradshaw learned about opportunities through ESA and spoke with federal scientists, including about how her experience working on the Apalachicola Bay System Initiative for the FSU Coastal and Marine Laboratory has equipped her with valuable skills that will benefit her in her future endeavors.
“Over the past four years, I’ve gotten deeply involved in the Florida State community, and I’m so grateful for everybody here,” said Bradshaw. “Being able to represent FSU on a national stage like this was huge. I was able to meet with Senator Rick Scott’s office where I spoke on the work that I do in the Florida Keys.”
Bradshaw holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a graduate certificate in Geographic Information Systems. She has held roles with the Custer Gallatin National Forest, the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center and the FSU Coastal and Marine Laboratory. She also earned the 2025 Guy Harvey Fellowship and used the $5,000 award to support her research in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
Bradshaw credits Florida State with providing her the resources she needs to continue succeeding in her field of research.
“FSU is a fantastic place for students interested in marine and coastal research. We have great departments, and we have a fantastic resource with the FSU Coastal and Marine Lab,” she said. “Being at a university regarded as a research powerhouse opens many more doors and opportunities to get involved in this research.”
Looking toward the future, Bradshaw hopes to work for a federal agency focusing on conservation science. Her goal is to use her previous governmental experience to inform a policy-driven professional career.
For more information on the Katherine S. McCarter Graduate Student Policy Award, visit esa.org