Awards

Personal and Professional Excellence

For scientific leadership and excellence in building collaborative ocean and fisheries initiatives, and outstanding vision and orchestration of the EcoFOCI team's research in support of NOAA's mission.

(2021). "Satellite and ocean data reveal marked increase in Earth’s heating rate." Geophys. Res. Lett., 48(13), e2021GL093047, doi: 10.1029/2021GL093047.

(2021). "Labrador Sea freshening linked to Beaufort Gyre freshwater release." Nat. Commun., 12, 1229, doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-21470-3.

The Highly Cited Researchers™ list from Clarivate™ represents influential researchers at universities, research institutes and commercial organizations around the world who have demonstrated significant and broad influence in their field(s) of research. Dr. McPhaden is recognized for his work in the cross-field category.

For elucidating critical phenomena of the coupled atmosphere-ocean system, especially the Madden-Julian Oscillation, through innovative research and exceptional leadership of international observational programs.

For his long-lasting contributions to oceanography, specifically in understanding ocean carbon cycling and the ramifications of acidification. His research and scholarship continue to shape the field of oceanography, with lasting impacts on future generations.

For outstanding outreach in support of students and the public and in demonstrating professionalism and excellence while showcasing the relevance and impact of NOAA's and PMEL's science and mission.

For exceptional leadership in managing the Global Tropical Moored Buoy Array project to increase the collection of key data in support of NOAA’s mission goal of "building a climate ready nation."

For outstanding and influential communication describing the impact of the tropical oceans on weather and climate in the U.S. and around the world.

For his tireless support of PMEL, organizing the 50th Anniversary Event, stepping up whenever necessary to make things happen at the lab, and his outstanding attitude of support leading to success.

For successful development, transfer, and commercialization of an oceanographic device that makes continuous vertical water profile measurements.

The Highly Cited Researchers™ list from Clarivate™ represents scientists and social scientists who have demonstrated significant influence through publication of multiple highly cited papers during the last decade. Researchers are selected for their exceptional performance in one or more of 21 broad fields or across several fields. Dr. McPhaden is recognized for his work in the cross-field category.

For technology advancement and leadership.

Awarded the International Arctic Science Committee Medal for 2024 in recognition of exceptional and sustained contributions to the understanding of the Arctic. Jim began his research in the Arctic in 1968, is the founding editor of the Arctic Report Card, and has done seminal research on Arctic climate change.

For the first deployment of a fully autonomous system for the measurement of vertical profiles of aerosol, cloud, and meteorological properties.

For her tireless support of PMEL, organizing the All-Hands Retreat, planning PMEL’s  50th Anniversary celebration, and serving on the PMEL Advisory Committee to improve the lab’s process for onboarding new staff.

The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation recognizes the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for producing scientific knowledge, alerting society, and informing decision-makers to make better choices for combating climate change and the loss of biodiversity. The IPCC, the Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2007 (in conjunction with Al Gore) is the United Nations organism that has, since 1998, fostered the production of scientific knowledge within the scope of evaluating the climate impacts of human actions and supporting governments as regards their decision-making and the implementation of measures able to combat climate change. The IPCC has played a crucial role in accompanying the commitments made under the Paris Agreement on climate changes through the regular publication of reports and the results of voluntary work undertaken by thousands of scientists all around the world.

Awarded Gold in Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA)'s EXCEL  Awards for a Feature Article (20,001 – 50,000) in AGU's Eos "An Unprecedented View Inside a Hurricane"

for “Satellite and Ocean Data Reveal Marked Increase in Earth’s Heating Rate". The Reid award is the highest recognition for a scientific research publication authored by those who support space mission projects at the NASA Langley Research Center.

For pioneering the application of uncrewed surface vehicles (saildrones) to observe hurricanes and tropical storms.

For his substantial contributions to the development of the West Coast Ocean Acidification cruise time-series since its inception in 2007. Dana's exceptional technical and scientific expertise has supported state-of-the-art ocean carbon measurements, data and research for many years, and has contributed to our understanding of ocean acidification and hypoxia locally and around the world. 

The Highly Cited Researchers™ list from Clarivate™ represents scientists and social scientists who have demonstrated significant influence through publication of multiple highly cited papers during the last decade. Researchers are selected for their exceptional performance in one or more of 21 broad fields or across several fields. Dr. McPhaden is recognized for his work in the cross-field category. 

For exceptional effort in expediting the quick and safe emergency return of NOAA and affiliated staff during the EcoFOCI/NOAA Arctic research cruise.

For outstanding advances in U.S. Ocean observing and processing of biogeochemical Argo float data, leading to a new era of global oceanography.

For turning the canceled GO-SHIP A13.5 cruise into a new mission that maximized autonomous instrument deployments and surface water data collection.

For scientific achievement in the design and implementation of the complex Atlantic Tradewind Ocean-atmosphere Mesoscale Interaction Campaign.

For leadership and adaptability in successfully executing vital at-sea research in the US Arctic amidst an unprecedented global pandemic.

For leadership in developing the Ocean, Coastal, and Great Lakes Acidification 2020-2029 Research Plan to advance NOAA’s response to acidification.

The Highly Cited Researchers™ list from Clarivate™ represents scientists and social scientists who have demonstrated significant influence through publication of multiple highly cited papers during the last decade. Researchers are selected for their exceptional performance in one or more of 21 broad fields or across several fields.

The winning paper in Ocean and Great Lakes category. (2019) "The oceanic sink for anthropogenic CO2 from 1994 to 2007". Science, 363(6432), 1193-1199, doi: 10.1126/science.aau5153 or view on NOAA Institutional Repository.

Read the webstory on this work on NOAA Research in March 2019 webstory

The Oregon State University (OSU) Gladys Valley Marine Studies Building was recognized as a top project by the Structural Engineers Association of Oregon (SEAO) Excellence in Structural Engineering 2021 Awards. The building was built by YGH Architecture with support by Andersen Construction Co, KPFF Consulting Engineers and OSU. The SEAO Excellence in Structural Engineering Awards was created to acknowledge outstanding projects and structural engineering advancement by members. The building currently serves as a Vertical Tsunami Evacuation Structure for the coastal communities of Newport and South Beach, OR. Through a University of Washington-YGH contract in 2018-2019, PMEL and UW CICOES experts (Diego Arcas and Yong Wei) with the Center for Tsunami Research made major contributions in tsunami hazard assessment and the track of large debris for the building design.

The Oregon State University (OSU) Gladys Valley Marine Studies Building was recognized as a Grand Prize Award in 2021 by Learning by Design. The building was built by  YGH Architecture (now merged with Integrus Architecture) with support by Andersen Construction Co, KPFF Consulting Engineers and OSU. The Learning by Design awards jury, made up of architects and educational facility experts from across the continent, architecture firms, schools and universities, said that it was “designed with sea level rise in mind and designed to withstand an earthquake and a tsunami. It is an example of design for coastal resilience and public safety.” The building currently serves as a Vertical Tsunami Evacuation Structure for the coastal communities of Newport and South Beach, OR. Through a University of Washington-YGH contract in 2018-2019, PMEL and UW CICOES experts (Diego Arcas and Yong Wei) with the Center for Tsunami Research made major contributions in tsunami hazard assessment and the track of large debris for the building design.

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' 2022 Recognition Award for innovation in large-scale autonomous observations in oceanography with global impacts in marine and climate science and technology. 

EcoFOCI is recognized for their efforts to secure the long-term the physical and biological observations that are critical to detecting and understanding ecosystem changes, and it draws attention to the need for time series observational data despite challenges associated with financial constraints.

In recognition of Chidong’s dedication and exceptional service to the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) during a period of transition between Lab Directors. His willingness to embrace and conduct additional leadership duties so quickly and thoroughly after joining PMEL is commendable. He continues to provide guidance and represent PMEL in an esteemed manner across NOAA and OAR.

For exceptional contributions to international and national tsunami community engagement and training; for leadership and creativity in increasing the speed and accuracy of the national tsunami forecasting system; for the development of international tsunami hazard assessments; and for an encompassing attitude of service.

Adi Hanein is a Communications Specialist for OAR’s Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) in Seattle, Washington. Adi leads PMEL’s outreach efforts, and her work to engage with external stakeholders only has increased during the pandemic. Adi was a key player in staffing virtual “booths” at scientific conferences, contributed to the Washington Orca Bowl, and to the state Alliance for Better School’s STEM Academy. She has produced a number of compelling press releases touting PMEL science, many of which have generated national news exposure, and created educational and informational materials for members of Congress and the general public. Adi also has played an instrumental role in developing collaboration and mentorship opportunities with local schools, and has increased PMEL’s participation in NOAA internship programs, including developing an integrated program for all summer interns that included an orientation and structured engagement across PMEL.

For successfully deploying the first MAP-CO2 buoy in a southern hemisphere coral reef to monitor ocean acidification.

For sustained science research achievement, creativity, and communication over 45 years to assess changes in the Arctic and Bering Sea ecosystems.

For foundational, seminal research in chemical oceanography that raised awareness, scientific study, and public action about ocean acidification.

The group created a robust, reliable Autonomous Surface Vehicle CO2 sensor system (ASVCO2) for long-term deployments, capable of surviving the forces of 50-foot waves, 80 mph winds, and collisions with icebergs in the Southern Ocean. NOAA’s PMEL (Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory) worked with Saildrone Inc. through a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) over several years to test and modify the platform, and develop the ASVCO2 so it could collect robust measurements while the Saildrone reached peak speeds of 8 knots in high-wind conditions. The landmark accomplishment will ultimately increase observations and understanding of weather, climate, and ecosystem processes in remote, harsh, and rapidly changing oceanic regions. Preliminary results suggest that there is strong outgassing of CO2 in the austral winter; this finding upends our understanding of the Southern Ocean as a sink for atmospheric carbon.  This public-private partnership demonstrated the deep scientific reach of a Federal research lab, and the ability of American industry to manufacture, test, and pilot world-class USVs. This remarkable achievement truly embodies the spirit and standards held up by Ron Brown. Read the full citation.

This list recognizes world-class researchers selected for their exceptional research performance, demonstrated by production of multiple highly cited papers that rank in the top 1% by citations for field and year in Web of Science. Dr. Michael McPhaden is recognized for his work in the cross-field category. 

This list recognizes world-class researchers selected for their exceptional research performance, demonstrated by production of multiple highly cited papers that rank in the top 1% by citations for field and year in Web of Science. Dr. Richard Feely is recognized for his work in the cross-field category. 

Mr. Christian Meinig has contributed to MTS as a technical expert and unifying source of engagement to bring government, industry, and academia together in joint pursuits of marine engineering since 2000. As Director of Engineering at NOAA’s premier marine engineering facility, he has led and delivered technology advancements such as the Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis (DART) warning Buoys, CO2 sensors for ocean acidification detection and monitoring, ocean current sensors, the world’s deepest hydrophone for the Challenger Deep, and other enabling technologies that have advanced the entire field of marine engineering.

For the first autonomous circumnavigation of Antarctica, allowing three-season observation of carbon dioxide flux in the Southern Ocean.

For advances in understanding the Madden-Julian Oscillation and other phenomena coupling the tropical oceans and atmosphere.

AGU Publications recognizes a number of outstanding reviewers for their work in 2019, as selected by the editors of each journal. Dr. Jessica Cross is recognized for her reviews in Geophysical Research Letters. 

The Rock Creek produced video on Pacific Western Boundary Currents received the award in the Non-Broadcast/General Government Relations category.

Investigation Program within OAR’s Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory for embedded electronics design and implementation; maintenance of software and hardware for data acquisition, processing, analysis and display of environmental data; and instrumentation development and field operations involving mooring deployments and recoveries on pop-up floats deployed to the Bering Sea. This work furthers understanding of dynamic relationships among climate, fisheries, and the marine environment, ensuring sustainability of Alaskan living marine resources and healthy ecosystems.

Science Team on the GO-SHIP A13.5 Cruise, comprised of members from the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, University of Miami Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies, University of Washington Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and the Ocean, and the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research.

GO-SHIP cruises provide the foundation for estimating carbon and heat uptake in the world's oceans. One such cruise, on NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown, was scheduled to depart from South Africa in mid-March, but was caught in the cross-hairs of the coronavirus outbreak.  Much of the science crew was in South Africa as that country was closing its borders, and the vessel was ordered to return home immediately and develop new procedures to ensure that no one on the vessel was a carrier.  Despite this adversity, with the outstanding assistance of the crew of the Ron Brown, the team was able to collect basin-wide underway samples and measurements and deploy floats and drifters. Their creativity and perseverance resulted in a cross-basin multi-disciplinary set of samples that will support critical NOAA research, and the deployment of long-term observing platforms that will provide data for years to come.

For being instrumental in the development of the moored and autonomous ocean CO2 program, and coordinating the program’s observations, timely public access to real-time and finalized data, and sensor and observing platform development.

February 2020

The highly anticipated list identifies scientists and social scientists who produced multiple papers ranking in the top 1% by citations for their field and year of publication, demonstrating significant research influence among their peers. Drs. Richard Feely and Michael McPhaden are recognized for their work in the field of cross-field. 

For exceptional scientific contributions to our understanding of atmospheric aerosols and their climate impact.

For creating the nation’s first, comprehensive, underwater sound sensing network including all U.S. coastal regions & several marine national parks.

This Clarivate list recognizes world-class researchers selected for their exceptional research performance, demonstrated by production of multiple highly cited papers that rank in the top 1% by citations for field and year in Web of Science. Dr. Patricia Quinn is recognized for her work in the geosciences category.

This list recognizes world-class researchers selected for their exceptional research performance, demonstrated by production of multiple highly cited papers that rank in the top 1% by citations for field and year in Web of Science. Dr. Richard Feely is recognized for his work in the geosciences category.

Created the newest system for detecting a tsunami, allowing more time to alert potentially impacting citizens.

For key scientific achievements and superior leadership in conducting and communicating the EcoFOCI research, supporting US marine resources in Alaska.

For pioneering contributions to scientific understanding of deep-sea volcanism by fostering interdisciplinary investigations with advanced technologies.

For the successful establishment, deployment, testing and transfer of the most advanced tsunami detection system (Deep Ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis, 4th generation, or DART-4G) into operation.

For outstanding success of the U.S. Argo ocean observing program, providing excellent oceanographic data, leading to a new era of global oceanography

For the establishment of the Joint Tsunami Research Effort group and for his research in tsunamis.

For his efforts in understanding circulation in the Gulf of Alaska oil leasing sites.

For outstanding research in coastal wave forecasting.

(1985). "The Sulu Sea Internal Solution Experiment".

(1986). "Albedos and Glitter Patterns of a Wind-Roughened Sea Surface".

For outstanding contributions and scientific leadership of NOAA's Equatorial Pacific Ocean Climate Studies (EPOCS) Program.

"Episodic Venting of Hydrothermal Fluids from the Juan de Fuca Ridge." J. Geophys. Res., 94, 9237-9250.

For major contributions to the field of observational oceanography.

For sustained superior accomplishment in management of programs of the United States Government and for noteworthy achievement of quality and efficiency in the public service.

For his research that utilized the Navy's underwater acoustic monitoring system to detect and locate underwater volcanic eruptions.

For being a leader in exploring how the national Internet infrastructure, international World Wide Web standards, and easy-to-use browsing software can be used to provide better public access to NOAA's expanding spectrum of environmental data and information processing.

(1995). "Acoustic detections of a seafloor spreading episode on Juan de Fuca Ridge using military hydrophone arrays." Geophysical Research Letters, 22(2), 131-134.

(1995). "Hydrothermal plumes over spreading-center axes: Global distributions and geological inferences." Geophysical Monograph 91, American Geohphysical Union, Washington, DC, 47-71.

(1995). "An example of fisheries oceanography: Walleye Pollack in Alaskan Waters." US national Report to International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics 1991-1994, Reviews of Geophysics, SUpplement, 1153-1163.

For his scientific leadership and skilled project management in bringing on line an unparalleled oceanographic and atmospheric observing system of global importance.

For leadership in the advancement and utilization of information technology for wide availability of environmental information and real time data.

For pioneering research achievements on oceanographic circulation of the North Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea.

For the acquisition, conversion, and deployment of the NOAA Ship KA'IMIMOANA.

For extraordinary contribution to information technology in the form of innovative, and widely used software called "FERRET" for visualizing large, global, gridded data sets.

For significant contributions toward the development of the NOAA Server System, which greatly enhances public access to critical environmental information.

For outstanding achievement in measuring the 1997-1998 El Niño.

(1997). "The Pacific subsurface countercurrents and an inertial model." J. Phys. Oceanogr. 27(11), 2448-2459.

For playing a key role in establishing the Center for Tsunami Inundation Mapping Efforts (TIME).

Dr. McPhaden received the Seattle Federal Executive Board's "Celebration of the Stars" Public Service Award for his extraordinary contributions to PMEL's mission and to the world community by bringing on-line the Tropical Atmosphere Ocean array, which provides data to improve El Niño forecasting and help mitigate El Niño's negative impact on the economies of the United States and other nations.

For outstanding dedication and teamwork in exceeding the requirements of the Washington state compliance order.

(1998). "The Tropical Ocean-Global Atmosphere Observing System, A Decade of Progress." J. Geophys. Res., 103(C7), 14,169-14,240.

(1998). "Quantification of Decadal Anthropogenic CO2 Uptake in the Ocean Based on Dissolved Inorganic Carbon Measurements".

Best Collaboration Tool (synchronous) OceanShare COLLABORATION TOOL.

Best Collaboration Tool (synchronous).

Best High Speed Networking.

Best Visualization.

For contributions to the understanding of how deep ocean volcanic and hydrothermal activity is affecting the global oceans physical, chemical, and biological environments.

(1999). "Genesis and evolution of the 1997-98 El Niño." Science, 283, 950-954.

(1999). "Influences of El Nino on the equatorial Pacific contribution to atmospheric CO2 accumulation." Nature, 398, 597-601. Gonzalez, F. (1999). "Tsunami." Scientific American, 280, 56-65.

(1999). "Tsunami." Scientific American, 280, 56-65.

For his development and leadership of the Ferret scientific analysis and visualization software over the past 10 years. Ferret is a flexible tool in which the user can probe and compare large and complex data sets and produce excellent publication-quality graphics widely used by thousands of scientists in NOAA and around the world.

For pioneering research in exploring deep ocean volcanic ecosystems that has led to the establishment of the world's first deep sea floor observatory.

For her leadership in the development and implementation throughout NOAA Research for the Financial Database Management System (FDMS).

For his pioneering design and implementation of electronic hardware with imbedded software systems for NOAA programs in climate and hydrothermal vents.

For outstanding leadership in studying the oceanic carbon cycle and its role in sequestering atmospheric CO2 as part of the NOAA Ocean Atmosphere Carbon Exchange Study (OACES).

For exceptional leadership skills in support of NOAA's Arctic Research Program and development of the interagency Study of Environmental Arctic Change (SEARCH) program.

For 20 years of extraordinary accomplishments in developing a world-class oceanographic laboratory.

For scientific achievements that advanced fisheries oceanography and marine ecology, and enabled the US North Pacific fisheries to be managed more efficiently.

"Making exceptional contributions for nearly 20 years."

For almost two decades, Andy Shepherd has been a senior member of the TAO Project which, despite essentially flat funding since 1996, has sustained high efficiency in delivering top quality oceanographic and surface meteorological data to NOAA forecasting centers and researchers and the scientific community.

Best Technology Transfer to Research.

Best Visualization in Research Project.

Near real-time NOAA ship locations and sensor data.

Presented annually in recognition of exceptional commitment to Laboratory programs through at sea or field research support.

Selected as The Walter Orr Roberts Lecturer in Interdisciplinary Sciences by the American Meteorological Society for significant contributions to the understanding of atmospheric processes through the effective interchange of knowledge.

(2000). "Rectification of the Madden-Julian Oscillation into the ENSO cycle." J. Climate 13:3560-3575.

(2000). "Observations of the warm water volume changes in the equatorial Pacific and their relationship to El Niño and La Niña." J. Climate, 12:3551-3559.

For his outstanding work in advanced visualization technology applications in research.

In recognition of leadership and engineering development accomplishments as exemplified by the successful deployment of the New Millennium Observatory Network interactive sea floor sampling system.

For his work enabling unprecedented web-based, one-stop access to distributed data sets across federal, state, academic, commercial, and non-profit organizations.

For leadership in the innovative application of information technology that contributes to the advancement of scientific knowledge and its application.

Grid Computing

Transition from ImmersaDesk to low-cost Geo Wall.

Global Ocean Observing Systems meet GIS.

Live Access Server (LAS) for Web Services.

In recognition of leadership in national and international atmospheric chemistry programs.

For outstanding leadership of the OAR Financial Data Management System, which was critical in facilitating the transition from FIMA to CAMS.

For fundamental contributions concerning the roles of sub seasonal variability on the onset and termination of El Niño and on Indian Monsoon rainfall.

For the creation and use of a new moored buoy system to provide accurate and timely warning information on tsunamis.

Note: The Gold Medal is granted for distinguished contributions and is the highest honorary recognition bestowed by the Department of Commerce. Because so many people contributed to this success, the Gold Medal is presented as an organizational award.

For research and development leading to the creation of a tsunami forecasting capability.

For demonstrating exemplary professionalism and dedication during a time of crisis to help NOAA explain its tsunami science to the world.

AJAX and Dapper: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.

Interactive Web Access to Historical Weather Data Archives.

OceanGIS - Multidimensional GIS tools using Java and ArcGIS

Cited for his establishment of the Tropical Atmosphere Ocean (TAO) array as the cornerstone of the climate observing system in the tropical Pacific and for fundamentally advancing our ability to detect, understand, and forecast variations associated with El Niño and La Niña.

(2002). "Direct Measurements of Upper Ocean Currents and Water Properties across the Tropical Pacific During the 1990's." Progress in Oceanography 152, 31-61.

For outstanding support in the development and maintenance of PMEL's observing system.

For his unique and innovative application of GOOGLE Maps technologies (known as Asynchronous JavaScript and XML or AJAX) to produce an exciting new Web portal to PMEL and other major oceanic and atmospheric observed datasets.

For anticipating a need to provide quickly concise and easy to understand information on the devastating Indonesian earthquake on Christmas night and producing an animation showing the global impact of the devastating tsunami in a sophisticated but easily understood format that has been used widely by media outlets worldwide.

For painstaking observations and groundbreaking research over the past 15 years, showing that the uptake and storage of anthropogenic carbon dioxide by the ocean is causing the pH of the ocean to drop.

(2004). "Impact of anthropogenic CO2 on the CaCO3 system in the oceans." Science, 305(5682), 362-366.

(2004). "On the Global Distribution of Hydrothermal Vent Fields." Geophysics. Monogr. Ser. Vol. 148.

In recognition of outstanding and original contributions to the science of tsunami hazards.

For enduring scientific leadership, innovative research into fundamental processes of Earth-ocean interaction, and visionary expansion of NOAA research to a global scale.

Interactive Web Access to Historical Weather Data Archives.

For their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change, and to lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change.

For outstanding administrative and technical support.

For outstanding leadership/administrative/technical support, personal and professional excellence and quality improvement to customers.

(2006). "Submarine venting of liquid carbon dioxide on a Mariana Arc volcano" Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems, Volume 7, Issue 8, CiteID Q08007.

For personal and professional excellence as the Nation's experts and spokespersons on tsunamis following the December 26, 2004, Indian Ocean tsunami.

For development of the NOAA Operational Model Archive and Distribution System, the first operational U.S. National climate and weather model archive.

For being a key participant in NOAA’s initial efforts to understand the problem and importance of CO2 in the oceans and the atmosphere; primarily how CO2 contributes to warming the planet and causes increased acidification of the upper layers of the ocean.

For developing and successfully implementing a method to measure zooplankton abundance in real time.

Honored as a leading individual in exploring climate change.

For creating a tsunami detection system that has dramatically increased warning times and decreased the risk of catastrophic loss of life.

For his leadership and administrative/technical support.

For planning and leading the operational, engineering, and logistical support to carry out a successful Atmospheric Chemistry cruise aboard the R/V Knorr.

For the invention of DART® tsunami technology, which allows NOAA to produce accurate tsunami forecasts and, through a patent and license, generated new U.S. jobs.

For outstanding contributions in the deployment of the first DART buoy for the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System, protecting lives and property.

For scientific and technical achievements that have advanced NOAA’s ability to detect Arctic climate change and its effect on the Bering Sea ecosystem.

For outstanding dedication to developing U.S. CCSP Synthesis & Assessment Products integrating climate research for decision support.

Dr. McPhaden was elected President-Elect of the AGU beginning July 2008 and will then become President for two years in July 2010. Dr. McPhaden's campaign statement reads that he is "committed to an AGU that is progressive, vibrant, and of relevance to society".

For scientific excellence in support of national and international policy on climate change in the Arctic.

For creating and managing NOAA Science Camp, a highly successful hands-on environmental education program for middle-school youth.

For exceptional service as editors and authors of the NOAA/Smithsonian Sant Ocean Hall companion publication "Hidden Depths: Atlas of the Oceans."

For leadership of field missions during the International Polar Year that provided data on the climate-sensitive, fast-changing region of the Arctic.

For outstanding leadership in understanding the acidic impacts of increasing levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) absorption by the oceans.

For her outstanding contributions to MARS at the agency level and for system reporting enhancements at the OAR and individual FMC level.

For his work as architect and software development team leader for NOAA's new tsunami forecasting system.

For leading an initiative within PICES to federate marine metadata collections from all PICES member countries into one integrated resource, the PICES Marine Metadata Federation.

For outstanding accomplishments and interagency collaboration in the Southern Ocean Gas Exchange Experiment of 2008.

(2008). "Evidence for Upwelling of Corrosive "Acidified" Water onto the Continental Shelf" Science, Volume 320, Issue 5882, pp. 1490-1492.

Editor's award for the Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology.

For enduring groundbreaking research, scientific leadership, and professional management in support of NOAA's hydrothermal vents research.

For his transformation of three long-term PMEL research programs in tsunami, ocean acidification, and ocean exploration into recent Congressional authorization laws.

For leadership in collection and evaluation of oceanographic data throughout the global oceans both on ships and from autonomous instruments, and for outstanding scientific analyses of the large-scale ocean circulation and water properties, their variability, and their relation to climate.

For his leading role in examining the acidification of oceans and shifting public policy to address this growing issue.

For scientific leadership in developing the Global Ocean Observing System for Climate, an international framework for ocean monitoring used to inform policy decisions.

For his leadership in developing ocean observing systems for climate research and forecasting and for fundamental contributions to our understanding of the ocean's role in climate.

For developing a sensor to measure carbon dioxide concentrations in the surface ocean and overlying atmosphere and transferring this design to a commercial vendor.

For the development of a clear, concise and compelling Arctic Vision and Strategy that aligns and articulates NOAA priorities in the fragile Arctic region.

For her significant role in the organization, creation and implementation of the new Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory Carbon Program website launched in February 2011.

For outstanding contributions toward improving public understanding of OAR science through the effective utilization of YouTube technology.

For leading a U.S.-Indonesia ocean expedition supporting the President's vision of science and technology partnerships with Muslim-majority nations.

For exceptional performance of outreach activities and enthusiastic support of PMEL management.

For outstanding achievement in marine science.

For your willingness, dedication, and success in strengthening the RAMA partnership between NOAA/PMEL and Indonesia BPPT.

Nominated by OAR for protecting life and property by transitioning the Short-term Inundation Forecasting for Tsunamis system to operations.

For scientific expertise, leadership and outstanding contributions to the Fifth Assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate change.

For his seminal studies on volcanic deformation and eruption processes and in pioneering studies in the nascent field of submarine physical volcanology.

Nominated by OAR for developing a multi-platform observing array to collect integrated environmental intelligence on ocean acidification in the Gulf of Alaska.

Nominated by NMFS for leading and conducting a comprehensive, integrated ecosystem research program that reveals how climate cycles affect the Nation's largest fishery.

For fundamental and extensive contributions to the understanding, observing, and forecasting tropical oceanic and atmospheric climate variability.

For pioneering contributions to our understanding of deep-sea volcanism by fostering interdisciplinary investigations with advanced technologies

For communicating the significance and limitations of scientific findings to policy makers within NOAA and around the world, the public, fisheries managers, environmental agencies, and biologists and other scientists not in his discipline. From the beginning of his career, he has set a priority of what and how to communicate. He has embraced the PMEL standard of communicating information backed by peer review journal articles, with Dr. Albritton as a role model.

For outstanding eningeering support in developing ocean observing systems that NOAA mission.

For the successful deployment and recovery of an acoustic mooring and the first long-term record of ambient sound at Challenger Deep.

For fundamental contributions to understanding oceanic variability, from equator to poles and surface to abyss, and for pioneering studies of the oceans’ role in climate.

Having participated in more than 50 expeditions, Susan Merle has demonstrated superior organization and data processing skills both at sea and in the office.  She has produced numerous detailed cruise reports, organized sonar and other data sets for scientific analyses and long-term archiving, and contributed to many peer-reviewed publications and meeting presentations.  Susan successfully implemented rapid data processing methods for multibeam sonar water-column data to locate and characterize gas bubble plumes being emitted from the sea floor.  In 2016, Susan located and characterized more than 900 previously unknown methane gas plumes rising from the sea floor along the Cascadia continental margin (offshore Washington, Oregon, and northern California) using the multibeam sonar system on board the E/V Nautilus, tripling the number of known methane seeps along the western U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

(2015). Basin-scale transport of hydrothermal dissolved metals across the South Pacific Ocean. Nature 523, 200–203.

(2015) "Ocean Acidification Risk Assessment for Alaska’s Fishery Sector". Process in Oceanography. 136, 71-91.

For creating the Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network, a collaborative international approach to document the progress of ocean acidification.

For her distinguished contributions to the fields of molecular evolutionary ecology and conservation genetics, particularly invasive and native populations, and mentorship of graduate and undergraduate students.

For leading the scientific examination of the acidification of oceans and shifting public policy to address this environmental issue.

For continued efforts in improving budgetary policies and procedures relating to memorandum of agreements and reimbursable funds throughout 30 years of service to NOAA.

For strengthening NMFS-OAR collaborations through the pioneering use of a Saildrone for next-generation ecosystem surveys in the Bering Sea.

For his contribution to the large-scale circulation, atmospheric convection, and air-sea interaction in the tropics, including leadership in the international field program DYNAMO/CINDY2011.