JohnPaul Sleiman Named 2026-27 AGI Fisher Congressional Fellow
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — JohnPaul Sleiman has been chosen by the American Geosciences Institute (AGI) as the 2026-2027 William L. Fisher Congressional Geoscience Fellow. 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.
Sleiman expects to receive a Ph.D. in Geophysics in May at the University of Rochester, where his doctoral work concentrated on climate-driven hillslope failure in permafrost regions. His research has focused on understanding how warming temperatures trigger geohazards, using InSAR monitoring, LiDAR analysis, and predictive modeling to develop frameworks that can inform infrastructure planning and disaster preparedness. These concerns took on personal importance for him, Sleiman says, after witnessing how his family and others struggled in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in 2024.
He has explored his passion for science communication and policy engagement as an American Geophysical Union (AGU) Local Science Partner, JPL Solar System Ambassador, and science policy opinion writer for the University of Rochester’s Campus Times. In addition, he recently visited Washington, D.C., for AGU’s Congressional Visit Days and spoke with policy leaders about the importance of geoscience research.
“This fellowship is both a great honor and an opportunity,” says Sleiman. “Communities need better systems to translate scientific understanding into effective, protective action. I look forward to developing the collaborative skills necessary to help ensure geoscience research reaches federal agencies, informs policy decisions, and protects communities facing escalating natural hazards from extreme weather. After the fellowship, my goal is to continue in legislative science policy, whether on Capitol Hill, at a state capital, or within a federal agency’s congressional affairs office. I envision myself as a long-term voice for geoscience, someone who can speak to the value of NOAA’s hurricane forecasting, NSF’s research grants, USGS hazard monitoring, and NASA’s Earth observation programs in the same conversation.”
“Sound decisions depend on sound science, and that means geoscientists must have a seat at the policymaking table at every level,” said AGI Executive Director Dr. Jonathan Arthur. “JohnPaul brings the expertise, insight, and determination needed to translate knowledge into impact on Capitol Hill.”
Previously, Sleiman earned a master’s degree in geological sciences from the University of Rochester and a bachelor’s degree in physics and geology from Furman University. He is a member of the American Association of Geographers, AGU, The Geological Society of America, and the Soil Science 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.
Contact: Geoff Camphire, AGI Communications gac@americangeosciences.org