SOEST associate professor Rosie ʻAnolani Alegado was appointed to the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine’s Ocean Studies Board. Alegado, who is a faculty member with the Department of Oceanography, the Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program, and Center for Microbial Oceanography: Research and Education is also the director of the Ulana ʻIke Sea Grant Center of Excellence and the SOEST Maile Mentoring Bridge Program.
“We are excited to welcome Dr. Alegado to the Ocean Studies Board and look forward to her contributions to our work,” said Susan Roberts, Director of the Ocean Studies Board.
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine provide expert advice on some of the most pressing challenges facing the nation and world to spark progress for the benefit of society. The Ocean Studies Board explores the science, policies, and infrastructure needed to understand, manage, and conserve coastal and marine environments and resources.
As the first Indigenous person appointed to the Ocean Studies Board, Alegado hopes to bring consideration for the strengths and challenges in Hawai‘i and the Pacific to this important forum.
“I am honored to serve on a board that has such a tremendous impact on our profession as ocean scientists and more broadly, the United States and the Pacific,” said Alegado. “I intend to introduce new voices, particularly those of Native practitioners, to provide expertise and advice on our marine ecosystems and habitats.”
The Board also serves as the US Committee for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Science Foundation, Office of Naval Research and the National Academies Presidents’ Funds. The U.S. National Committee for the Ocean Decade will encourage participation and serve as a communication channel for the U.S. ocean science community throughout this international effort.
In recent years, the Ocean Studies Board has conducted studies on the status of marine and coastal environments, the ocean’s role in the global climate system, technology and infrastructure needs for ocean research and ocean-related aspects of national security. Further, they address fisheries science, management, and policy; living and non-living marine resources and ocean education. Reports and more information on current Board activities are available on their website.
Biographies of the six newly appointed board members are posted at the OSB web site.
Article originally written by Marcie Grabowski for SOEST NEWS.