My name is Katherine Stankus and I am originally from Port Townsend, WA. I just graduated from Portland State University with a degree in Physics with an environmental emphasis. I am interested in applying my physics degree to help solve global environmental issues such as policy, energy resources, and sustainability.

In addition to my physics studies, I studied Mandarin throughout my undergraduate career and also studied abroad at Nanjing University as a 2011 Undergraduate Boren Scholar. Although I have a technical degree, a complementary goal of mine has been to become fluent and literate in Mandarin I hope to utilize both my technical knowledge and my Chinese language fluency in my career.

Along with my studies at Portland State University, I worked in the Atmospheric Physics Lab measuring methyl chloride concentrations of water samples using stable carbon isotopes. Furthermore, I was the treasurer for the Recreation Clubs Council where I oversaw the budget for all University rec clubs.

This summer, I will be a Mather Policy Intern and will be working with the Committee of Science, Space and Technology. I look forward to working in DC and seeing how science and policy can be applied together to address global issues.

Also, in my spare time I like to run, hike, camp, play soccer, go to different events around town, and go to the theater and ballet.