The American Society of Mammalogists has selected Kathryn Preston, an NDSU graduate student studying zoological sciences from Wheeling, Ill., for a Student Science Policy Leadership Award. Preston will travel to Washington, D.C. to meet members of Congress and learn about private policy and the role scientists play within private policy.

Preston also will participate in an American Institute of Biological Sciences public policy training and Congressional Visits Day. She will observe budget priorities and engage with federal scientists about policies in federal agencies. Preston also will meet with congressional policy makers to talk about biological sciences and the importance of federal investors.

The Student Science Policy Leadership Award encourages an opportunity for effective communication of research findings preparing the graduate student for future professional development.

NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.