Anna Rothstein
Seattle,WA
Summary
Coastal resource specialist with broad experience in intertidal zones of Puget Sound, California’s kelp forests, and coral reef ecosystems across U.S. jurisdictions. Brings several years of expertise in marine ecology, policy, and environmental compliance, with a focus on adaptive management, interagency coordination, and science-to-policy integration at both state and federal levels. Skilled in developing conservation guidance and outreach products that translate complex science into actionable policy and accessible public information. Experienced in collaborating across diverse groups, including Governors’ offices, Tribal governments, federal and state agencies, and community partners, to advance equitable and effective coastal and marine conservation outcomes.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Coral Reef Specialist
U.S. Department of the Interior
02.2024 - 09.2025
- Served as Executive Secretariat for the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF), aligning 14 federal agencies, 7 jurisdictions, 4 fishery councils, Tribal governments, and Freely Associated States on shared conservation goals.
- Co-chaired the Bleaching Working Group, authoring a standardized interagency bleaching monitoring protocol to align metrics across all U.S. jurisdictions, enabling meaningful cross-region comparisons and adaptive management.
- Managed complex interagency projects, balancing competing priorities and ensuring progress on USCRTF milestones and national coral reef policy (including Coral Reef Conservation Act reauthorization).
- Onboarded and mentored three Knauss Marine Policy Fellows, developing guidance on equitable engagement and transparent collaboration.
- Coordinated national meetings, drafted public agenda items, and developed communication products for federal leaders, Governors’ appointees, Tribal entities, and community partners.
Sea Grant Knauss Fellow
NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program
02.2024 - 01.2025
- Advanced the development of the Draft National Coral Reef Resilience Strategy, collaborating with NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) Performance Lead to ensure alignment with Conservation Standards and to convert broad goals into SMART objectives. Integrated edits from USCRTF members and federal and jurisdictional partners.
- Authored federal restoration permitting guidance, incorporating NEPA compliance, Tribal consultation, and federal consistency requirements to streamline restoration efforts.
- Co-chaired the USCRTF Climate Change Working Group, organizing agendas and tracking member contributions to resilience initiatives.
- Synthesized monitoring data from the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program into StoryMaps and public-facing products to increase accessibility and transparency.
Ocean Policy Intern
NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
05.2023 - 12.2023
- Supported the designation of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary (CHNMS), drafting ESA Section 7 consultation requests, EFH consultation letters, and CZMA Federal Consistency Determinations.
- Contributed to the Draft Management Plan, including the Education & Outreach and Indigenous Cultural Heritage Action Plans.
- Conducted a monitoring gap analysis and integrated emerging threats (e.g., offshore wind) into environmental impact planning.
- Partnered with Chumash Tribal representatives to incorporate TEK and co-develop culturally relevant interpretive signage.
- Facilitated public workshops and created accessible outreach materials to strengthen transparency and community support.
Research Trainee
NSF Sustainable Oceans Program
06.2022 - 12.2023
- Selected for a competitive NSF program emphasizing policy-driven, use-inspired research for ecosystem-based management.
- Partnered with fishers, Tribal leaders, and scientists to co-develop policy-based solutions for eelgrass management along the California coast.
- Facilitated multi-agency discussions on ecological trade-offs, helping define measurable, adaptive goals.
- Participated in immersive field workshops with resource-dependent communities and applied adaptive management 'causal chain' frameworks linking policy goals → management actions → ecological/social outcomes.
Professional Learning Content Developer & Program Coordinator
Jay Pinson STEM Education Center
06.2022 - 12.2023
- Designed creative K–12 curricula on climate change and computer science for San Jose Unified School District.
- Partnered with teachers in an NSF project supporting culturally responsive teaching for Latinx-identifying girls.
- Synthesized accomplishments into outreach posters and exhibits; spearheaded large-scale STEM events like STEM Palooza.
Graduate Student Researcher (Master’s Thesis)
San José State University
01.2021 - 12.2023
- Researched cryptic coral habitats (crevices and tunnels) and their role in biodiversity, trophic dynamics, and reef ecosystem resilience.
- Secured funding, led three field expeditions, and collaborated with Hawaiʻi’s Division of Aquatic Resources to align results with management needs.
- Applied advanced survey methods (SfM 3D modeling, CPCe coral ID, R/JMP statistical analysis) to evaluate ecosystem health.
- Mentored five undergraduates, including women from underrepresented groups in STEM.
- Presented findings to scientific and community audiences, including Science on Tap (Maui) and professional conferences.
Undergraduate Researcher
University of Puget Sound
01.2015 - 01.2017
- Investigated the ecological impacts of sea star wasting disease in Puget Sound intertidal ecosystems, focusing on how the loss of the keystone predator Pisaster ochraceus altered prey populations and community structure.
- Led a small undergraduate research team in conducting intertidal surveys at multiple sites along the Puget Sound coastline, coordinating site selection, scheduling, and field logistics to ensure robust data collection.
- Developed and refined field methodologies to assess ecosystem-level consequences of predator loss, contributing to broader understanding of resilience and trophic dynamics in coastal systems.
- Analyzed ecological data using R to quantify shifts in prey abundance and community composition, producing results that informed discussions of ecosystem change and management responses in Puget Sound.
- Presented findings at the Puget Sound Research Symposium and to the University of Puget Sound Biology Department, strengthening skills in science communication.
Education
Master of Science - Ecology And Evolution
San José State University
Moss Landing, CA12.2023
Bachelor of Science - Biology
University of Puget Sound
Tacoma, WA05.2017
Skills
- Adaptive management and strategic planning
- Policy writing
- Project management
- Interagency collaboration
- Data analysis
- Regulatory compliance
- Educational outreach
- Research methodology
- Critical thinking
- Team mentoring
- Public speaking
- Strategic planning
- Problem-solving aptitude
- Performance evaluation and indicators
- SMART objective development
- Ecosystem resilience and health
- Conservation standards and practices
- Community engagement and facilitation
- Agency and partner coordination
- Tribal engagement and equity integration
- Climate resilience strategies
- Science-to-policy translation
- Workshop logistics and planning
- Statistical analysis using R, JMP, and Excel
- Geospatial analysis with ArcGIS Pro and StoryMaps
- Graphic design with Adobe and Canva
References
Liza Johnson
Senior Advisor for Coral Reefs, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of the Interior
Phone: 843-437-5261 | Email: liza_m_johnson@ios.doi.gov
Jennifer Koss
Director, NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program
Phone: 410-507-4932 | Email: jennifer.koss@noaa.gov
Michael Lameier
International Lead, NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program
Phone: 808-683-2213 | Email: michael.lameier@noaa.gov
Timeline
Coral Reef Specialist
U.S. Department of the Interior
02.2024 - 09.2025
Sea Grant Knauss Fellow
NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program
02.2024 - 01.2025
Ocean Policy Intern
NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
05.2023 - 12.2023
Research Trainee
NSF Sustainable Oceans Program
06.2022 - 12.2023
Professional Learning Content Developer & Program Coordinator
Jay Pinson STEM Education Center
06.2022 - 12.2023
Graduate Student Researcher (Master’s Thesis)
San José State University
01.2021 - 12.2023
Undergraduate Researcher
University of Puget Sound
01.2015 - 01.2017
Master of Science - Ecology And Evolution
San José State University
Bachelor of Science - Biology
University of Puget Sound
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