Kaitlyn (Katie) Culbert (she/her) is a Policy Intern at the Open Environmental Data Project (OEDP) for Summer 2026. She is a rising junior at Harvard College studying Government and Economics, with a longstanding passion for environmental stewardship, science communication, and public policy.

Katie's environmental advocacy began through beekeeping and pollinator conservation. She has led community initiatives to support native habitats, including establishing a 2,500-square-foot pollinator garden through a Xerces Society grant and serving as the New Jersey Honey Queen, during which she traveled across the state, educating the public about pollinators, agriculture, and environmental sustainability. Her work has earned national recognition, including the US Environmental Protection Agency's President's Environmental Youth Award, the New Jersey Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence, and selection as a National 4-H Youth-in-Action Scholar.

In addition to her advocacy work, Katie is an accomplished researcher whose environmental science studies have been published in multiple peer-reviewed journals. Her research has examined honey bee nutrition, colony health, and the impacts of environmental conditions on pollinator survival. She was also a Research Science Institute (RSI) Scholar at MIT, where she conducted advanced scientific research and collaborated with leading scientists.

At Harvard, Katie is actively involved in policy, research, and public service initiatives through organizations including the Institute of Politics, Phillip Brooks House Association, and the Harvard Undergraduate Law Review. She previously served as a Congressional Legislative Intern in the US House of Representatives, conducting policy research and supporting constituent engagement. 

Through her work at OEDP, she is excited to explore how open, accessible environmental data can strengthen public trust, inform policy, and support more equitable environmental outcomes.