During his time at the University of Hawai‘i, Dan Reineman’s long-held concern for the welfare of the ocean increasingly matured as he explored local threats affecting coral reef health. As a UH Sea Grant graduate trainee, Reineman’s research focused on the effects of land-based pollution on coral health at the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology under the direction of Dr. Ruth D. Gates. His investigations assessed the potential of bio-indicators, such as microbes, for providing proactive diagnoses of coral health. Using such indicators as a means of deducing coral health is an essential strategy because it can allow a scientist to determine a coral’s health status long before environmental stress or disease have caused noticeable, and perhaps irreparable damage.

For Reineman, these problem-based explorations sparked an eagerness to pursue a greater understanding of the multifaceted relationships among marine science, management, policy and resources. His experience as a Knauss Fellow served to sharpen his ability to put science into an effective policy context so as to make him better suited as an environmental steward. “I love the ocean most and I hope to combine the skills and experience I gain as a Knauss Fellow with my interests in science into a career improving the way we manage and care for oceans.” Reineman worked as a Knauss Fellow in the office of Congressman Sam Farr (D-California) who is a founding co-chair of the House Oceans Caucus and is very active in developing national strategies for ocean policy, governance, and conservation.