Degree program: M.A.M.A

Year accepted: 2026

Advisor: TBD

Research: Science Communication, Coastal Zoning, Federal Ocean Policy

Background: Marine Science and Human Ecology (double major), University of Connecticut

Profile:

Chris Santoro hails from Fairfax, Virginia, just a half-hour away from the nation’s capital. From a very young age, the ocean called to him. At the age of four, shortly after the first of many visits to the aquarium, Chris created a scrapbook that brought to life various marine environments that fascinated him, from hydrothermal vents to coral reefs.

This passion buoyed him through a rigorous, STEM-focused curriculum at Thomas Jefferson High School (TJHSST) and continued into his undergraduate studies at the University of Connecticut, where he double majored in Marine Science and Human Ecology. He created the latter major to encompass his growing interest in interdisciplinary, social science-focused approaches to understanding the world around us and communicating across barriers.

However, it was his experiences interning and later working at the National Estuarine Research Reserve (CT-NERR) that shaped his foray into policy. Being around professionals with an intersectional background offered insight into other ways to combat the problems of our time, such as climate change, inequity, and an increasingly polarized political landscape. Policy combined his passion for the oceans with his passion for human connection and reconciliation. Additionally, it served to harness his strategic mind, which ultimately fueled the creation of his undergraduate thesis. Entitled “Trawling for Clues: Examining NEFMC Amendment 8,” the piece explored the complex socio-political landscape surrounding an amendment that brought to light sharp divides in the herring fishery.

Armed with curiosity and vigor alike, Chris now pursues a Master’s in Marine Affairs (M.A.M.A) from the University of Rhode Island, with the intent to transition into a policy-facing career after graduation focused on policy creation, analysis, and evaluation. His current research interests include science communication, coastal zoning, and federal ocean policy. Extracurricularly, Chris is a board game designer and professional video game player. He enjoys climbing, table tennis, and swimming, and takes every opportunity he can get to spend time with his partner.