TOS Fellows Program

Recognizing Individuals Who Have Attained Eminence in Oceanography Through Their Outstanding Contributions to the Field of Oceanography or Its Applications During a Substantial Period of Years

ABOUT THE FELLOWS PROGRAM

The origins of TOS are rooted in bringing together and recognizing individuals from all fields of oceanography, representing the broad interests of members in research, engineering, industry, policy, and education, and the diversity and international nature of the society. TOS members from all areas of oceanography will be considered for the Fellows Program. A recommendation for advancement to TOS Fellow is appropriate after an individual has been a TOS member for at least three years, depending on his or her contributions to the field.

The main criteria for being elected a TOS Fellow are outstanding and sustained contributions, and devotion to the broad field of oceanography, commensurate with the founding principles of the Society.

New Fellows may be selected each year, but no more than 0.5% of the TOS membership of the Society will be advanced to Fellows each year. Any TOS member may nominate another member to be a TOS Fellow. Voting TOS officers, Members of the Council, and Members of the Fellows Committee are not eligible for election during their terms of service. Nominations are to be forwarded to the Fellows Committee, via the TOS Executive Director, by October 31, 2019. Nominations will automatically remain active for two years, but the nominator may revise and resubmit new information at any time.

NOMINATION PROCEDURE

TOS members are encouraged to participate in honoring such individuals by nominating or seconding their election as a TOS Fellow. To be considered this year, the Nominator, who must be a TOS member, should submit a nomination package by October 31, 2019. Important details regarding the nomination package are provided below.

The nominated individual must have been a TOS member for at least the past three years. (TOS members may consult the online membership directory to determine if prospective nominees are TOS members. To access the directory, visit the TOS member login page. Click on “Login” in the menu on the left side of the page and enter your user ID and password. Once in the member area, click on “Membership Directory” on the right side to access the search tool.)

A clear and cogent statement supporting and outlining the Nominee’s outstanding and sustained contributions and devotion to the broad field of oceanography is essential and should be included in the Nominee’s Professional History.

A completed nomination package includes:

A three-page (maximum) nominating letter
A minimum of three and a maximum of five supporting letters, each of which is two pages or less in length
A document outlining the candidate’s professional history
A citation, preferably six to twelve words in length, but not exceeding twenty words

At least two of the supporting letters must be from outside the Nominee’s own institution or organization. Seconding letters may come from any individual or group of individuals who are knowledgeable about the Nominee’s accomplishments. The Nominator must indicate how many seconding letters will be provided with his or her contact information and, where possible, e-mail addresses for each individual providing supporting letters. Responsibility for assuring that the letters are submitted on time remains with the Nominator.

All documents related to the nomination, including the nominating and supporting letters and the professional history should be submitted electronically to: info@tos.org (Subject: Chair, Fellows Committee). When all of the required documents are received by the TOS Executive Director, they will be forwarded to the Fellows Committee. The supporting letters are to be attached to e-mail forwarding the nominating letter, or they may be e-mailed separately (in either MS Word or PDF format).

NOMINATING AND SECONDING LETTERS

The nominating letter should discuss why election of the Nominee to Fellow is appropriate and must propose a brief citation for the Nominee. If the Nominee is advanced to Fellow, the citation will be published in Oceanography. The citation should be preferably six to twelve words in length, but it must not exceed twenty words.

Suggestions for topics that might be considered for a nominating or seconding letter:

Description of the Nominee’s contributions to a particular sub-field of oceanography in terms that are understandable to a reader whose expertise lies in another area
Explanation of what new knowledge about oceanography is now available because of the legacy left by the Nominee
Description of specific examples and background on how the Nominee’s career activities have advanced ocean sciences
Description of the Nominee’s impact on the field by the development of policies, laws, regulations, devices, theories, programs, applications, or technologies leading to advances in our protection or understanding of the oceans
Evidence of professional contributions such as consulting, service to the community, teaching, supervision of theses, management of significant national or international oceanographic programs, laboratories, or institutions
Information that may be pertinent to the Candidate’s accomplishments such as honors and awards from TOS or other professional groups or societies focusing on oceanography

Topics that are discouraged for inclusion in a nominating or seconding letter:

Generalized statements such as “… has provided leadership in …”
Discussion of the Candidate’s general personality
Personal information, such as details about the Candidate’s spouse, children, home, ethnicity, etc.

CANDIDATE’S PROFESSIONAL HISTORY

Nominators should also summarize the Candidate’s professional history (i.e., provide a summary CV or résumé) in a document no more than five pages in length (minimum 12 point font), to be submitted electronically, in the format specified below, along with the nominating and supporting letters. It should include, but not necessarily be limited to the following:

Name and professional address, phone, and e-mail of the Nominee
The Nominee’s educational background, including degrees, awarding institutions, and dates
Approximate year the Nominee became professionally involved in oceanography and the positions held (if desired, may be limited to the three most recent)
Major professional achievements, honors, and awards
The Nominee’s most important contributions to ocean sciences, including, but not limited to: the advancement of basic or applied ocean research; dissemination of knowledge concerning the sea; efforts to promote a broader understanding of oceanography; education of ocean scientists, technologists, and engineers; advancement of technology for use in the ocean; promotion of public understanding of developments in the field of oceanography; and the relationship of ocean research to scientific research in general
Most significant professional activities, committee memberships, offices held in TOS and other ocean science related organizations, and other significant contributions
If appropriate to the positions held, a list of the Candidate’s five most important publications
A clear and cogent statement supporting and outlining the Nominee’s outstanding and sustained contributions and devotion to the broad field of oceanography

The Committee explicitly recognizes that many of the Candidates for TOS Fellow will have extensive and often lengthy Professional Histories that cannot be easily fit within a five-page limit. The Committee considers it desirable that the Nominators use their best professional judgment by selecting and emphasizing information that will, in their opinion, best reflect their Candidate’s impact on the field of oceanography.

2017/2018 Fellows

D. James Baker, James N. Moum, and Heidi M. Sosik join W. Stanley Wilson and James Ledwell as Recently Selected Fellows of The Oceanography Society

D. James Baker
For his contributions in founding TOS and providing leadership to the nation’s ocean science and policy communities.

The Oceanography Society (TOS) congratulates Dr. D. James Baker on his selection as a Fellow of The Oceanography Society. The citation on Dr. Baker’s certificate recognizes him for his contributions in founding TOS and providing leadership to the nation’s ocean science and policy communities. Dr. Baker will be formally recognized on February 13, 2018, during a ceremony at the Ocean Sciences Meeting in Portland, Oregon.

In the nominating letter for Dr. Baker, Charles H. Greene (Cornell University) noted that he “played an essential role in the founding of TOS and served as the Society’s first President.” He further mentioned that, “in 1983, Jim was elected President and served as a Member of the Board of Governors for the Joint Oceanographic Institutions (JOI) in Washington, DC. Honing his administrative and political skills in the nation’s capital for a decade with JOI, Jim was appointed by President Clinton as Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in 1993.”

Dr. Baker was trained as a physicist, practiced as an oceanographer, and has held professorial and administrative positions in academia, government, and the non-profit sector. He is an expert in physical oceanography, climate science, environmental measurement technology and planning and management for complex technical programs. He has long experience in the application of technology to meet societal needs. Most recently, as Co-Director of the Clinton Foundation’s Forest Team, Dr. Baker helped develop a computer and GIS-based System for Land-based Emissions Estimation in Kenya (SLEEK) with generic open-source tools that has global applicability for monitoring and sustainable resource use. In addition to other honors, he received the Vikram Sarabhai Medal for “Outstanding Contributions to Space Research in Developing Countries.” He was a scientific advisor to former Vice President Al Gore on the Oscar-winning film “An Inconvenient Truth” and lectures regularly on sustainability, climate change, forestry and landscapes, and oceanography. As the longest-serving Administrator of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere he significantly influenced U.S. climate, space, and ocean research and policy. He has chaired numerous national and international advisory committees, has more than 100 publications and is the author of the book Planet Earth: The View from Space, published by Harvard University Press.

James R. Ledwell
For seminal contributions to the understanding of oceanic mixing.

The Oceanography Society (TOS) congratulates James R. Ledwell (Emeritus Research Scholar, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution) on being selected as a Fellow of The Oceanography Society. The citation on Dr. Ledwell’s certificate recognizes him for seminal contributions to the understanding of oceanic mixing. Dr. Ledwell will be formally recognized on February 13, 2018 during a ceremony at the Ocean Sciences Meeting in Portland, Oregon.

Dr. Ledwell’s significant contributions to ocean science were highlighted in the letters of support for his nomination. Alberto C. Naveira Garabato writes, “Jim is one of the most influential oceanographers alive. Over the last three and a half decades, he pioneered a suite of novel techniques to measure anthropogenic tracers in seawater at ultra-low concentrations, specifically designed for the study of oceanic mixing and air-sea gas exchange. Exploiting these techniques, he developed one of the most seminal and creative experimental approaches of Physical Oceanography in recent decades: the deliberate tracer release experiment (TRE). Jim was instrumental not only in developing the TRE design and underpinning techniques, but also in providing the intellectual impetus to understand the measured tracer evolution in several key experiments – as well as the implications of each TRE for our fundamental understanding of ocean circulation.”

In another supporting letter, John Toole wrote “I consider Jim to be the ideal scientist and leader: brilliant, diligent, soft spoken and understated. His body of research represents significant and original contributions to the science of ocean mixing and stirring as well as air- sea gas exchange. He is an effective leader in the field of physical oceanography, but the impact of Jim’s work extends well beyond that discipline to address problems in biology and other areas of ocean science. Jim is very supportive of junior scientists and students and is an excellent role model. He is a good communicator of his research and a wonderful shipmate and colleague.”

Dr. Ledwell received his Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Harvard University in 1982, an M.S. in Applied Physics, from Harvard University in 1979, an M.S. in Physics from University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 1974 and a B.S. in Physics from Boston College in 1970.

James N. Moum
For outstanding contributions to widely used observational techniques and understanding of ocean mixing over a broad range of processes and scales.

The Oceanography Society (TOS) congratulates Dr. James N. Moum (Professor of Physical Oceanography, Oregon State University) on his selection as a Fellow of The Oceanography Society. The citation on Dr. Moum’s certificate recognizes him for outstanding contributions to widely used observational techniques and understanding of ocean mixing over a broad range of processes and scales. Dr. Moum will be formally recognized on February 13, 2018, during a ceremony at the Ocean Sciences Meeting in Portland, Oregon.

In the nominating letter, Dr. Moum’s colleagues wrote, “Jim has energetically pursued and brought his unique perspective and abilities to the study of ocean fluid dynamics over more than 30 years, elucidating the ways by which turbulence affects processes that operate over a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. His insight and relentless quest to describe ocean phenomena in their most fundamental form has revealed the elegant simplicity of complex physical problems.”

A supporting letter submitted by Dr. Lars Umlauf (Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research) states “At Oregon State University, Jim leads the very productive Ocean Mixing Group that has developed into a mecca for ocean turbulence research, where the state of the art in ocean mixing is defined and the agenda for new topics is set. The creative ideas and techniques developed by his group have inspired the work of scientists world-wide, and it is fair to say that anyone working for a longer time in this area of oceanography has been influenced either directly or indirectly by Jim’s work. Ph.D. students and post-docs are attracted by the reputation and vibrant working atmosphere of the group, and help to disseminate new research ideas and approaches across the globe.”

Dr. Moum received his Ph.D. in physics (1984) from the University of British Columbia and BASc (1978) and MASc (1979) degrees in engineering from the University of Toronto.

Heidi M. Sosik
For outstanding contributions to phytoplankton ecology, sensor development and graduate and undergraduate ocean science education.

The Oceanography Society (TOS) congratulates Dr. Heidi Sosik (Senior Scientist, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution) on her selection as as a Fellow of The Oceanography Society. The citation on Dr. Sosik’s certificate recognizes her for outstanding contributions to phytoplankton ecology, sensor development and graduate and undergraduate ocean science education. Dr. Sosik will be formally recognized on February 13, 2018 during a ceremony at the Ocean Sciences Meeting in Portland, Oregon.

In his nominating letter for Dr. Sosik, Dr. James Yoder writes “She is not only an excellent researcher, teacher and mentor, but also is a co-inventor/developer of the Imaging FlowCytobot, an instrument that added an important new capability for the in situ study of marine microbes in aquatic environments and the coastal ocean in particular.” In one notable example, in 2008 scientists from Texas A&M University deployed this instrument and provided early warning of harmful algal blooms (HABs) on the Texas coast. Local health agencies used this information to decide on which shellfish harvesting areas should be closed in order to prevent shellfish-related human illnesses.

Another supporting letter states, “Sosik is a biological oceanographer with a rare suite of talents. The scientific rigor of her work is unrivaled and the breadth of her work spanning all scales of biological organization and involving instrument development, laboratory experimentation, field studies, and theory, stems from a rare intellect that is equally at home in science and engineering. In Sosik we have the collective expertise usually realized only via teams of specialists. She is more than worthy of becoming a TOS Fellow.”

Dr. Sosik received an S.B. in Civil Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1987, an S.M. in Civil Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1988, and a Ph.D. in oceanography from the University of California, San Diego, Scripps Institution of Oceanography in 1993.

W. Stanley Wilson
For his key role establishing NASA’s Oceanography from Space Program and organizing the international coalition in support of the Argo observing system.

The Oceanography Society (TOS) congratulates W. Stanley Wilson on being selected as a Fellow of The Oceanography Society. The citation on Dr. Wilson’s certificate recognizes him for his key role establishing NASA’s Oceanography from Space Program and organizing the international coalition in support of the Argo observing system. Dr. Wilson will be formally recognized on February 13, 2018 during a ceremony at the Ocean Sciences Meeting in Portland, Oregon.

In the nominating letter for Dr. Wilson, James Yoder wrote, “During his forty-year career working in three different federal agencies (ONR, NASA and NOAA), Stan accomplished more for ocean research and operations than any Federal official that I know or have heard about from others. In addition, Stan had a major, positive effect on many of us when we were early career scientists.”

Dr. Wilson began his service in the federal government in 1972 as a Scientific Officer, then Program Manager at the Office of Naval Research (ONR) where he was responsible for the Navy’s basic research program in physical oceanography. In 1979 he moved to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to serve as the first Chief of the Oceanic Processes Branch and led the development of a scientifically based Oceanography from Space Program. In partnership with international and commercial entities, this program eventually resulted in the successful launch of the TOPEX/Poseidon, NSCAT and SeaWiFS missions, as well as development of the Alaskan SAR facility. Dr. Wilson then joined the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in 1992, serving first as Assistant Administrator of the National Ocean Service (NOS), and then as Deputy Chief Scientist. In 1997, he was responsible for initiating U.S. involvement in the International Year of the Ocean (1998). This resulted in the National Ocean Conference, establishment of the National Ocean Commission, and new NOAA initiatives in ocean exploration and observing systems. For ten years, he also served as the U.S. Representative to the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO when, in addition to leading NOAA participation in Argo, he led the development of political support across more than twenty countries that now participate in that program. Initiated in 1997, Argo achieved its goal within a decade – 3,000 profiling floats providing real-time routine observations of the upper-ocean temperature and salinity field globally. From 2002 – 2011, he pursued operational oceanography as Senior Scientist in NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service, where he helped secure NOAA funding for Jason-3 and define the plan for its follow-on, Jason-CS, a collaboration with the European Copernicus program.

2015

Rana A. Fine
For significant contributions to the understanding of the ocean circulation and ventilation.

Arnold L. Gordon
For his fundamental contributions to our understanding of how the global ocean is interconnected, drawing from his observations of the Southern Ocean, Indonesian Seas, and Agulhas retroflection.

2014

Mark A. Cane
For contributions to the understanding and prediction of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the tropical oceans and their effects on climate and society.

2013

Richard T. Barber
For his sustained and fundamental contributions to the science, community service and mentorship of countless others in integrated ocean ecosystem science.

Theresa Paluszkiewicz
For her long-term vision and contributions in basic research, mentoring and outreach, and national and international program leadership.

P. Ted Strub
For advancing the understanding of eastern boundary current upwelling systems and leading interdisciplinary studies of these systems.

2012

Jack Barth
For his contributions and sustained leadership in all aspects of continental shelf oceanography, and for his commitment to community service.

2011

James A. Yoder
For his innovative and visionary application of satellite ocean color technologies to interdisciplinary oceanography and his extraordinary service to oceanography.

2009

Ellen R.M. Druffel
For advancing the use of natural abundance radiocarbon measurements in marine carbon cycle research.

Marlon Lewis
For seminal contributions advancing our knowledge of ocean optics, physical-biological interactions, and ecology.

Mary Jane Perry
For contributions to the founding and advancement of the sub-discipline of bio-optical oceanography and the education of more than a generation of bio-optics students.

Mary W. Silver
For pioneering research on the ecology of marine organisms, excellence in teaching, mentoring and service to the oceanographic community.

Lynne D. Talley
For advancements in understanding the large scale circulation of the ocean and dedication to the oceanographic community.

2008

Charles S. Yentsch
For promoting oceanography through innovation, fundamental discoveries in bio-optics and phytoplankton production, and the visionary founding of enduring oceanographic programs.

2007

Charles H. Greene
For seminal contributions to the field of bioacoustics, innovation and excellence in teaching, and service to the oceanographic community.

2006

Grant Ingram
For insightful studies of physical processes and physical/biological coupling in extreme polar regions and for untiring service to the oceanographic community.

2005

John J. Cullen
For fundamental contributions to our understanding of the influence of environmental conditions on phytoplankton function in the ocean.

Margaret L. Delaney
For paleoceanographic research in nutrient and carbon cycling and service to the oceanographic and scientific ocean drilling communities.

Robert A. Duce
For research on the global biogeochemistry of trace elements in the ocean/atmosphere system.

Michael J. McPhaden
For ENSO research and unselfish service in providing the community with tropical atmosphere and ocean observations (TAO array).