Catie is an ocean enthusiast with an environmental science and policy background. Throughout her career, she has focused on environmental stressors, including marine debris. She started her career as a marine debris educator and scientist with a New-Jersey-based non-profit. Her doctoral dissertation concentrated on the environmental and social implications of microfiber ingestion by oysters. She has experience conducting lab and field work, but also working on policy and engaging with stakeholders on varying environmental and waste management topics. Additionally, she was a John J. Knauss Fellow for NOAA and a federal contractor for Abt Associates. At Abt, Catie supported national, state, local, and international governments to develop policies and programs focused on sea- and land -based marine litter and plastic pollution prevention. She developed methods to improve post-consumer materials management and plastic pollution prevention through source reduction, recycling, and other circular strategies. With non-profit, government, and private sector experience, she has continued to learn the various ‘languages’ of different stakeholders so that she can communicate science effectively across groups.