Andrew Titmus is spending his Knauss Fellowship year working in the National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs which supports science in the arctic and Antarctic, including management of the U.S. Antarctic Program. Andrew’s work within the Polar Environment, Safety and Health section focuses on Antarctic environmental policy issues, including protected area management, ensuring conservation and environmental protection through U.S. activities in Antarctica, and the international governance of the region through the Antarctic Treaty and the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. During his fellowship, he has had the opportunity to assist in the drafting of management plans for Antarctic Specially Managed Areas, attended international Antarctic governance meetings such as the Committee for Environmental Protection and the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, and deployed to Antarctica as part of the U.S. Antarctic Program.

After completing her undergraduate degree in Biology at the University of Puget Sound, and a Masters degree in Marine Science, Andrew completed a PhD in the Zoology Department at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Andrew’s research focused on the patterns in nesting habitat use by secretive petrels and shearwaters on the remote island of Ta’u in American Samoa. This research included using passive acoustic sensors to detect and describe how different species use the high altitude tropical montane habitat for breeding. Andrew has previously worked on seabird conservation projects in Hawaii, including at the Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve. Other previous work included examining patterns of plastic ingestion in albatross colonies throughout Hawaii. Andrew has been an active member of the Pacific Seabird Group, serving on the board as the Student Representative.

Andrew became interested in science policy issues through studying seabirds like albatrosses which travel across multiple national boundaries and through open ocean areas beyond any national jurisdiction. He realized the challenges that this creates for the management and protection of pelagic or highly migratory species. Andrew aims to gain a better understanding of how governments can work together, through international agreements such as the Antarctic Treaty, to cooperatively protect species and ecosystems.