TOS Honors Program
And the 2026 TOS Honorees are…
2026 TOS FELLOWS
Chuanmin Hu
For pioneering contributions to oceanography through remote sensing, advancing understanding of ocean algae, oil spills, and leading the discovery of the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt
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Chuanmin Hu
For pioneering contributions to oceanography through remote sensing, advancing understanding of ocean algae, oil spills, and leading the discovery of the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt
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Lisa Rom
For her profound and lasting impact on ocean science education and mentoring programs and practices across the United States and her unwavering commitment to broadening participation in the ocean sciences
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Lisa Rom
For her profound and lasting impact on ocean science education and mentoring programs and practices across the United States and her unwavering commitment to broadening participation in the ocean sciences
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Oliver Zielinski
In recognition of outstanding contributions to marine lightscapes, sensor innovation, and AI-driven technologies, and for leadership advancing international collaboration in ocean science
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Oliver Zielinski
In recognition of outstanding contributions to marine lightscapes, sensor innovation, and AI-driven technologies, and for leadership advancing international collaboration in ocean science
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2026 NILS GUNNAR JERLOV MEDAL
Zhongping Lee
For his breakthrough in water transparency theory and outstanding contributions to the advancement of ocean color remote sensing
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Zhongping Lee
For his breakthrough in water transparency theory and outstanding contributions to the advancement of ocean color remote sensing
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2026 WALLACE S. BROECKER MEDAL
Deborah S. Kelley
For impactful contributions to marine geoscience, deep-sea vent research, and education, through connecting systems, people, and ideas
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Deborah S. Kelley
For impactful contributions to marine geoscience, deep-sea vent research, and education, through connecting systems, people, and ideas
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2026 TOS EARLY CAREER AWARD
Jeremy Horowitz
In recognition of advancing black coral taxonomy, including new species, families, and genera using innovative approaches that decrease analysis time, foster collaboration, and advance discovery
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Jeremy Horowitz
In recognition of advancing black coral taxonomy, including new species, families, and genera using innovative approaches that decrease analysis time, foster collaboration, and advance discovery
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Seth Zippel
For impactful contributions, including the development of innovative measurement techniques advancing our understanding of the fundamental physics of turbulence and exchange at the ocean-air-ice interfaces
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Seth Zippel
For impactful contributions, including the development of innovative measurement techniques advancing our understanding of the fundamental physics of turbulence and exchange at the ocean-air-ice interfaces
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2026 TOS MENTORING AWARD
Elva Escobar Briones
For exceptional leadership in mentoring, tutoring, and teaching biological oceanography, fostering an inclusive and equitable mentoring environment in the lab and at sea, with a positive impact
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Elva Escobar Briones
For exceptional leadership in mentoring, tutoring, and teaching biological oceanography, fostering an inclusive and equitable mentoring environment in the lab and at sea, with a positive impact
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2026 TOS OCEAN OBSERVING TEAM AWARD
GO-SHIP Team
For 20 years of internationally coordinated, high-quality, high-resolution repeat hydrographic measurements, documenting decadal changes in ocean circulation, heat, carbon, oxygen, and nutrients essential for understanding Earth’s climate
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GO-SHIP Team
For 20 years of internationally coordinated, high-quality, high-resolution repeat hydrographic measurements, documenting decadal changes in ocean circulation, heat, carbon, oxygen, and nutrients essential for understanding Earth’s climate
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About the Program
The Online Nomination System will open in late winter 2027 with a nomination deadline of March 31, 2027.
Fellows
TOS FELLOWS PROGRAM
Recognizing TOS members who have made outstanding and sustained contributions to the field of oceanography through scientific excellence, extraordinary service and leadership, and/or strategic development of the field.
Awards
TOS EARLY CAREER AWARD
For significant early-career research contributions and impact, and the potential for future achievements in the field of oceanography.
TOS MENTORING AWARD
For excellence and/or innovation in mentoring the next generation of ocean scientists.
TOS OCEAN OBSERVING TEAM AWARD
Recognizing teams for innovation and excellence in sustained ocean observing for scientific and practical applications.
Medals
WALLACE S. BROECKER MEDAL
For innovative and impactful contributions to the advancement or application of marine geoscience, chemical oceanography, or paleoceanography.
NILS GUNNAR JERLOV MEDAL
For having significantly advanced our knowledge of how light interacts with the ocean
WALTER MUNK MEDAL
For extraordinary accomplishments and novel insights contributing to the advancement or application of physical oceanography, ocean acoustics, or marine geophysics.
MARY SEARS MEDAL
For innovative, and impactful contributions to the advancement or application of biological oceanography, marine biology, or marine ecology.
Committees
HONORS NOMINATION COMMITTEE
The TOS Honors Nomination Committee is responsible for encouraging honors nominations from the ocean science community and/or from the Nomination Committee itself.
HONORS SELECTION COMMITTEE
The TOS Honors Selection Committee is responsible for reviewing nominations and selecting recipients for the TOS Honors Program.
Background photo credit: Liang Fu/Ocean Image Bank
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