Susan K. Avery

Susan K. Avery is an American atmospheric scientist and academic administrator renowned for her pioneering research in radar meteorology and remote sensing. Her distinguished career includes significant leadership roles, most notably serving as the President and Director of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, where she advanced interdisciplinary ocean and climate research. Avery's work has bridged the fields of atmospheric science and oceanography, contributing substantially to the understanding of climate change and Earth system science.

Early life and education

Born in New York City, Avery developed an early interest in the physical sciences. She pursued her undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in physics. She continued her graduate education at the same institution, receiving both a Master of Science and a Doctor of Philosophy in electrical engineering, with a dissertation focused on the application of radar and Doppler techniques to atmospheric studies. Her doctoral research laid the groundwork for her future contributions to mesoscale meteorology and the observation of severe weather phenomena.

Career and research

Avery began her professional research career at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado, where she became a leading expert in the development and use of ground-based and airborne radar systems. Her investigations centered on precipitation processes, storm dynamics, and the atmospheric boundary layer, significantly advancing observational techniques in meteorology. She later joined the faculty of the University of Colorado Boulder, holding joint appointments in the Department of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering and the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences. Her interdisciplinary research portfolio expanded to include satellite remote sensing and its applications to hydrology and climate variability, fostering collaborations with agencies like NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Leadership and administration

Avery's administrative acumen became prominent during her tenure as Vice Chancellor for Research and Dean of the Graduate School at the University of Colorado Boulder. In 2008, she was appointed President and Director of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, becoming the first woman to lead the prestigious organization. During her leadership, she championed major initiatives in coastal oceanography, deep-sea exploration, and climate change impacts, while overseeing the institution's fleet of research vessels like the R/V Atlantis and the deep-diving submersible Alvin. She also served on numerous national advisory boards, including committees for the National Science Foundation and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Awards and honors

In recognition of her scientific and leadership contributions, Avery has been elected a Fellow of the American Meteorological Society and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. She has received honorary doctorates from institutions such as Clark University and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Her service has been acknowledged with awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Meteorological Society and she has been a member of prestigious societies like the American Geophysical Union.

Personal life

Avery maintains a connection to both the academic and policy worlds, frequently engaging in public discourse on science education and environmental stewardship. She has been involved with organizations like the Boston Museum of Science and the Marine Biological Laboratory. Residing in Massachusetts, she continues to advocate for increased investment in basic research and the integration of scientific knowledge into public policy decisions related to the ocean and global climate.

Category:American atmospheric scientists Category:American oceanographers Category:University of Colorado Boulder faculty Category:Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution