About

Sharing Science core staff

Olivia V. Ambrogio is the Manager of the Sharing Science Program at AGU, where she does her best to help other scientists connect with wider audiences. She is a biologist by training who got her Ph.D. studying the sex lives of marine snails. In spite of the surprising allure of this research, she eventually shifted into the field of science communication. In her spare time she writes and takes nature photos, often frustrating her partner and friends (who just wanted to take a walk) by crouching on the ground to photograph an insect.

Shane M Hanlon is the Program Manager of the Sharing Science Program where he helps scientists explain their research to non-scientists. He is a science communicator, ecologist by training, science-policy, advocate, educator, and storyteller. His love of science led him to study frogs and turtles, a PhD in conservation biology, a couple science-policy fellowships, and his current gigs with AGU and has a host/producer of the DC branch of the science storytelling organization The Story Collider. His is also Senior Producer and co-host of AGU's podcast Third Pod from the Sun and executive produces AGU's audio storytelling series Sci & Tell. He manages Sharing Science's online resources including The Plainspoken Scientist blog and the @AGU_SciComm Twitter account. Find him @EcologyOfShane and shanemhanlon.com.

AGU staff collaborators 

Caitlin Bergstrom is the Public Affairs Analyst for AGU’s Public Affairs team, where researches policy, analyzes issues, monitors legislative and regulatory developments related to Earth and space science. Prior to AGU, she worked as an environmental policy consultant, helping to write regulations for various federal agencies, including the EPA and Department of Interior. Caitlin has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences and Biology from the University of Wisconsin- Madison, where she conducted research on insect-ecosystem interactions in prairies, and fire dependent ecosystems in the upper Midwest.

Brittany Webster is the Program Manager of AGU’s Public Affairs team (@AGUSciPolicy), dividing her energy between advocating for science on Capitol Hill and helping scientists effectively communicate and engage with their legislators. Brittany first got the science policy bug, working for a member of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. A Georgia native, Brittany, received her B.A. in Comparative Literature and International Affairs from The University of Georgia and her J.D. from Boston University School of Law.

Michael Villafranca is the Senior Specialist of Public Affairs at AGU, where he develops and manages strategic relationships with policymakers to advance policies promoting the value of Earth and space science and helps scientists engage and connect with their policymakers. Prior to joining AGU’s Public Affairs team in 2019, Michael spent several years doing government relations on the local level advancing policies to improve the quality of education and educational opportunities for marginalized students in the District of Columbia. Michael holds a bachelor’s degree in government and international politics from George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government.

Elizabeth Landau is the Director of AGU’s Public Affairs program, where she works to empower scientists to clearly communicate the purpose and value of their science to multiple audiences, with a focus on policymakers. She has been with AGU since 2008, where she has helped build up AGU’s grassroots program, including launching the Voices for Science initiative. Before coming to AGU, Elizabeth started her career with internships at the American Geosciences Institute and the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History, and holds a MS and BS in Geological Sciences.