Christina Wiegand

Entered Program: 2015
Primary Track: Coastal Economics
Adviser: Dr. Jamie Kruse
Hometown: Holly Springs, North Carolina
Education: BS Marine Biology, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, 2010, MA Political Science, Appalachian State University, 2012
E-mail: wiegandc15@students.ecu.edu
Research Interests: socio-ecological systems, marine fisheries policy, social networks, market-based management

As a marine biology student at UNC-W, I took a course in natural resource management and instantly was hooked by the unique challenges faced by socio-ecological systems. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in resource management, so I began working toward my master’s in political science at Appalachian State. With my concentration in environmental policy, I focused on fisheries, writing my master’s thesis on South Atlantic fishery stakeholder perceptions of catch shares. After graduating, I put my degrees to work conducting research for the NC Division of Marine Fisheries and RTI International. What makes the CRM program appealing is its truly interdisciplinary nature. My studies at East Carolina will allow me to speak intelligently with experts in a wide range of fields, a skill that is invaluable when working in fisheries management.