A Leader in Earth System Research
Our Mission
To conduct and transition world-class Earth system research, with a focus on the Atlantic Ocean region, to inform: the accurate forecasting of extreme weather and ocean phenomena, the management of marine resources, and an understanding of climate change and associated impacts, thereby improving ocean and weather services for the region, the nation, and the world.
Our Vision
Be the leader in Earth system research in the Atlantic Ocean region, providing trusted scientific data and knowledge to predict changes in weather, climate, oceans, and marine ecosystems.
Our Leadership
Acting Director
Molly is a veteran sea-going oceanographer and has led numerous research projects during her 22-year tenure at AOML. Her research portfolio is strongly rooted in the Atlantic Ocean, linking ocean circulation patterns and changes to global and regional climate patterns. She skillfully manages research teams and projects, and forges partnerships with national and international research institutions, including the National Science Foundation, NASA, and the National Environmental Research Council in the UK, among others, to bring AOML science to bear.
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Molly’s research expertise includes measuring the strength of the Western Boundary Current in the North Atlantic, monitoring the meridional overturning circulation in the North Atlantic as part of the RAPID/MOCH program, managing high-density XBT observations in the Atlantic, and leading repeat hydrography and coastal carbon dioxide surveys. Molly has served in leadership roles on more than 29 hydrographic programs since 1998, including the role of chief scientist on more than a dozen of these cruises.
Molly’s scientific leadership extends well beyond the ship’s helm. Molly has served on more than 21 national and international panels including as secretary of the Physical Oceanography Section of the American Meteorological Society and the International Argo Panel, regularly providing advice and direction on national science policy and program management, including stakeholder negotiations.
Molly received her doctoral degree in 1994 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in the field of physical oceanography. Molly is also a graduate of NOAA’s Leadership Competency Development Program and the National Weather Service’s Building Leaders for a Solid Tomorrow (BLAST) program. Molly also served as AOML’s acting deputy director in 2010, during the Deep Water Horizon oil spill, skillfully managing resources to support AOML’s scientific response.
Molly has published over 80 peer-reviewed publications in journals such as Science, the Journal of Climate, and the Journal of Geophysical Research, to name a few. Over the past ten years she has also served as a principal investigator or co-principal investigator on numerous externally funded research programs totaling more than $30 million. She is also the recipient of the Department of Commerce Bronze Medal award for her role on the Western Boundary Time Series Team.
| AOML Acting Director
Molly Baringer, Ph.D.
Acting Deputy Director
Prior to assuming the role of Acting Deputy Director, Dr. Chris Kelble served as the Director of the Ocean Chemistry and Ecosystems Division of AOML. He is also the principal investigator for AOML’s Ecosystem Assessment and Modeling Laboratory. Dr. Kelble’s primary research interest is to holistically understand how humans alter coastal marine ecosystems and in turn how these coastal ecosystems help to support coastal communities. His research has a heavy emphasis on research to applications by working closely with the resource managers most likely to use these research results. Dr. Kelble’s research has ranged from understanding how altered watersheds affect salinity variability and thus habitat suitability to understanding how natural and anthropogenic drivers of change affect the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem.
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He currently serves on leadership committees for NOAA’s Integrated Ecosystem Assessment Program, NOAA’s Ecosystem Indicators Working Group, NOAA’s Biscayne Bay Habitat Blueprint Focus Area, NOAA’s Gulf of Mexico Regional Collaboration Team, the US Interagency Blue Carbon Working Group, and the Science Coordination Group of the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force.
Division Directors
Acting Director
Hurricane Research Division
Shirley Murillo
Acting Director
Ocean Chemistry & Ecosystems Division
Jasmin John
Director
Physical Oceanography Division
Rick Lumpkin, Ph.D.
Acting Deputy Director
Hurricane Research Division
Aaron Poyer
Acting Deputy Director
Ocean Chemistry & Ecosystems Division
Sim Aberson, Ph.D.
Deputy Director
Physical Oceanography Division
Renellys Perez, Ph.D.
A History of Excellence in Research
See all awards earned by AOML staff and scientists for the last decade.
2024
| Award | Organization | Awardees | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Editor’s Award | American Meteorological Society |
Michael S. Fischer
|
For multiple high-quality and very thorough reviews that have been helpful in making critical editorial decisions about research papers submitted to the Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences. |
| Gold Medal | Department of Commerce | Joseph J. Cione
Jason P. Dunion (CIMAS) Jun A. Zhang (CIMAS) |
For deploying a small uncrewed aircraft system into the eyewall of Hurricane Ian (2022) after a multi-year collaborative effort overcoming many obstacles. |
| Silver Medal | Department of Commerce | Sang-Ki Lee
Fabian Gomez (NGI) |
For developing the first United States river chemistry dataset for regional ocean biogeochemical modeling and carbon chemistry studies in the US. |
2023
| Award | Organization | Awardees | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Sherman Award | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |
Elizabeth Perez
|
For outstanding service, going above and beyond, in support of AOML’s contract activities. |
|
Team Member of the Year Award (Outreach and Education category) |
NOAA-Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research |
Benjamin R. Chomitz Kenzie M. Cooke Allyson N. DeMerlis Katherine R. Eaton Taylor J. Gill Thia E. Griffin-Elliott Patrick M. Kiel Graham E. Kolodziej Christopher M. Malanuk Ana M. Palacio Marike Pinsonneault Rayne B. Sabatello Nash J. Soderberg Michael S. Studivan
|
For exemplary response to the unexpected and unprecedented 2023 coral bleaching event in South Florida and efforts to communicate the event to the American public. |
| Team Member of the Year Award
(Leadership category) |
NOAA-Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research |
Jason P. Dunion
|
For advancing NOAA’s Hurricane Field Program through innovative, inclusive leadership; strong partnerships with key stakeholders; and capacity-building among early-career staff and external teams. |
|
Team Member of the Year Award (Personal and Professional Excellence category) |
NOAA-Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research |
William D. Ramstrom
|
For developing the first ever high-resolution, cloud-allowing, storm-following moving nest capability in NOAA’s Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System and transitioning it to operations. |
| Team Member of the Year Award
(Personal and Professional Excellence category) |
NOAA-Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research |
Andrew T. Hazelton
|
For advancing operational hurricane forecasts by leading the development, evaluation, and operational readiness of the Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System’s “B” configuration. |
|
Team Member of the Year Award (Personal and Professional Excellence category) |
NOAA-Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research |
Sarah D. Ditchek |
For leading the most comprehensive assessments ever undertaken of the impacts of reconnaissance data and observing strategies on numerical weather prediction forecasts of tropical cyclones. |
| Employee of the Year Award
(Personal and Professional Excellence category) |
NOAA-Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research |
Emily B. Osborne
|
For the tireless promotion and advocacy for safety regarding sexual assault and sexual harassment (SASH) at NOAA’s AOML, across OAR and NOAA, and in the broader scientific community. |
| Daniel L. Albritton Outstanding Science Communicator Award | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |
Ian C. Enochs
|
For outstanding leadership and communication of NOAA’s coral reef research and its relevance to the American public during the 2023 bleaching event. |
| Federal Employee of the Year Award (scientific category) | South Florida Federal Executive Board |
Hosmay Lopez
|
For groundbreaking contributions to the understanding of how ENSO events will evolve with global warming, with significant implications for how residents of South Florida will experience climate change over the next several decades. |
| Employee of the Month Award
(February 2023) |
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |
Nicole I. Besemer
|
For successfully orchestrating and overseeing field missions in the Florida Keys, Dry Tortugas, St. Croix, and Flower Garden Banks following a widespread coral disease outbreak during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring all necessary data were safely and successfully collected in support of NOAA’s National Coral Reef Monitoring Program. |
| Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Service | Office of Personnel Management |
John V. Cortinas
|
For exceptional leadership throughout more than 15 years of federal service that has led to significant improvements in NOAA’s ability to provide accurate and timely forecasts and warnings for many types of extreme weather, as well as being an exemplary role model for NOAA’s workforce and others from underrepresented communities by working tirelessly to advance diversity and inclusion across NOAA. |
AOML is a global leader in atmospheric, ocean, and coastal research.
Join Our Diverse Team
At AOML, we pride ourselves on developing a workforce that celebrates diversity and inclusion, encourages exploration in research, and encourages the career growth and mentorship. View our open positions on this page with links to apply at USA jobs, or learn more about AOML as an organization.