Claire Gonzales

Claire Gonzales’ work focuses on developing marine spatial planning tools for the sustainable growth of the blue economy. Blending a variety of methods, ranging from spatial modeling to semi-structured interviews with the commercial fishing community, Claire is passionate about synergistic ocean management solutions that benefit the marine environment, the economy, and coastal communities. Most recently, Claire served as a 2025 Knauss Fellow within the NOAA Fisheries National Stock Assessment Program. During her fellowship, she managed and expanded the Distribution Mapping and Analysis Portal (DisMAP), utilizing her spatial analysis expertise to enhance marine resource decision-making at both national and regional levels. Claire is joining the NCEL team as an Impact Fellow with the Federation of American Scientists.

Claire holds a Ph.D. in Marine Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a B.S. in Biology from Duke University. A native Californian now based in Washington, D.C., she spends her free time cooking, tending to her growing plant collection, and enjoying leisurely trail runs.