Christopher M. Sala Named 2025-26 AGI Fisher Congressional Fellow
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Dr. Christopher M. Sala is the 2025-2026 William L. Fisher Congressional Geoscience Fellow, chosen by the American Geosciences Institute (AGI). The prestigious Fisher Fellowship is a unique opportunity for a geoscientist to work as staff in a congressional office or committee for a year in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Sala recently earned his Ph.D. in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, and Climate Science in May 2025 at The Pennsylvania State University, where his doctoral work focused on land and ocean influence on extreme summertime precipitation events in the United States. His studies have concentrated on water resource management and disaster prevention, rounding out a diverse geophysical approach to Earth systems and related societal impacts.
Inspired to study climate science in part by the 2004 and 2005 Florida hurricane seasons that flooded his childhood hometown, he aspires to work with science and governance to yield solutions that reduce the harms of natural disasters. Dr. Sala’s training in data analytics, his work as a teaching assistant, and his experience presenting at conferences have honed skills in breaking down scientific concepts and data in easy-to-understand ways. In addition, executive roles in Penn State’s Science Policy Society and formal policy education have prepared him to share scientific expertise on Capitol Hill, as he did recently, advocating through the American Geophysical Union’s (AGU) Congressional Visits Days.
“I am thankful for the opportunity to show how scientists like me can contribute to the policymaking process as the 2025-2026 Fisher Fellow,” said Dr. Sala. “The fellowship will enable me to realize my career goal of engaging directly with policymakers, forging evidence-based solutions to societal challenges, and helping to bridge the gap between science and governance.”
“To ensure that accurate, up-to-date geoscience informs effective decision-making at every level, geoscientists must be at the table in policymaking processes,” said AGI Executive Director Dr. Jonathan Arthur. “Christopher is exceptionally qualified to make a meaningful contribution in his work on Capitol Hill, given both his academic achievements and his demonstrated drive to shape policy.”
Previously, Dr. Sala earned a master’s degree in meteorology and atmospheric science from The Pennsylvania State University, a bachelor’s degree in meteorology from Florida State University, and an associate’s degree from Palm Beach State College. He is a member of AGU and the Geological Society of America.
Each year, AGI’s Fisher Fellow joins more than two dozen other scientists and engineers for an intensive orientation program on the legislative and executive branches, organized by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), which also guides the placement process and provides educational and collegial programs throughout the year. Learn more at https://profession.americangeosciences.org/learning/fellowships/fisherfellow.
About AGI
The American Geosciences Institute (AGI), a federation of scientific and professional organizations representing over a quarter-million geoscientists, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to serving the geoscience community and addressing the geoscience needs of society. AGI headquarters are in Alexandria, Virginia.
AGI Contact: Geoff Camphire, Communications gac@americangeosciences.org