On August 1, 2023, 18 ocean experts began their appointment as members of the U.S. Ocean Research Advisory Panel (ORAP). The 18 ORAP members include representatives from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; ocean industries; state, tribal, territorial or local governments; and academia. 

The new ORAP members are:

• Claudia Benitez-Nelson, National Academies’ Ocean Studies Board; University of South Carolina 

• Derek Brockbank, Coastal States Organization

• Jorge Corredor, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (retired)

• Danielle Dickson, North Pacific Research Board

• Tim Gallaudet, Ocean STL Consulting, LLC

• Mary Glackin, National Academies’ Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate

• Eunah Hoh, San Diego State University

• Sandra Knight, Marine Board of the National Academies’ Transportation Research Board; WaterWonks LLC

• Tommy Moore, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission

• Christopher Ostrander, Marine Technology Society 

• Claire B. Paris-Limouzy, Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric & Earth Science, University of Miami

• Purnima Ratilal-Makris, Northeastern University

• Edward Saade, Circum-Pacific Council; EJS Solutions

• Ana Spalding, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute; Oregon State University

• Amy Trice, Northeast Regional Ocean Council

• Maria Tzortziou, The City College of New York, City University of New York

• Violet Sage Walker, Northern Chumash Tribal Council

• Kawika Winter, Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai’i 

The ORAP’s responsibilities include advising the Ocean Policy Committee (OPC) on:

• policies and procedures to implement the National Oceanographic Partnership Program; 

• matters relating to national oceanographic science, engineering, facilities or resource requirements; 

• improving diversity, equity and inclusion in the ocean sciences and related fields;

• national ocean research priorities; and 

• additional responsibilities that the OPC considers appropriate.

Learn more here.