Marcia McNutt

Marcia McNutt is an American geophysicist and distinguished science leader who has held several of the most influential positions in the American scientific community. Her research has significantly advanced the understanding of plate tectonics, oceanic lithosphere, and mantle plumes. McNutt's leadership has spanned major institutions including the United States Geological Survey, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, and the National Academy of Sciences.

Early life and education

Born in Minneapolis, she developed an early interest in science and mathematics. McNutt earned a Bachelor of Arts in physics from Colorado College in 1973. She then pursued graduate studies in earth sciences, receiving her Ph.D. from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego in 1978. Her doctoral research, conducted under the guidance of renowned geophysicists, focused on the elastic thickness of the oceanic lithosphere.

Scientific career

McNutt began her research career as a fellow at the Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris in France. She joined the faculty of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1982, where her work utilized satellite altimetry data from missions like SEASAT and Geosat to study seafloor topography and the dynamics of mid-ocean ridges. A major contribution was her analysis of the French Polynesia region, which provided key evidence for the theory of thermal rejuvenation of the lithosphere. Her research has been published in leading journals such as Journal of Geophysical Research and Nature.

Leadership roles

In 1997, McNutt became the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), guiding its development of advanced autonomous underwater vehicles and deep-sea research. She was nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the United States Senate as the 15th Director of the United States Geological Survey in 2009, serving through 2013. During her tenure, she managed the agency's response to major events including the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. From 2013 to 2016, she served as the Editor-in-Chief of the prestigious journal Science, published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. In 2016, she was elected the 22nd President of the National Academy of Sciences, a position she held until 2022.

Awards and honors

McNutt has received numerous accolades for her scientific and leadership contributions. These include the James B. Macelwane Medal from the American Geophysical Union in 1988, the Maurice Ewing Medal from the United States Navy and the American Geophysical Union in 2007, and the Murchison Medal from the Geological Society of London in 2020. She is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Philosophical Society, and the National Academy of Sciences. In 2022, she was awarded the prestigious Vetlesen Prize, often considered the Nobel Prize of the earth sciences.

Personal life

McNutt is married to Ian Young, a fellow scientist. She is an avid supporter of science education and policy, frequently testifying before committees of the United States Congress. Her leadership is noted for advocating for greater diversity and inclusion within the STEM fields and for strengthening the role of science in informing public policy on critical issues such as climate change and natural hazards.

Category:American geophysicists Category:National Academy of Sciences Category:American science writers