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Organizational Excellence powered by diverse perspectives.

Our Staff work to engage the scientific community and interdisciplinary partners to understand and adapt to changing ocean conditions and challenges in marine and coastal communities.

Meet Our Team

Director
Sarah Cooley, PH.D.
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Deputy Director
Dwight Gledhill, Ph.D.
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Program Manager
Erica Ombres, Ph.D.
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Communications and Education Lead
Liz Perotti, Ph.D.
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Coral Reef Coordinator
John Tomczuk
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Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal Lead
Gabby Kitch, Ph.D.
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Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal Policy Knauss Fellow
Samantha Clevenger, Ph.D.
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Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal Research Manager
Alex Mackay
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Environmental Research and Field Operations Manager
Liza Wright-Fairbanks, Ph.D.
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Human Dimensions Research Manager & National CAN Coordinator
Alex Puritz
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Crosscutting Investment Manager
Kaity Goldsmith, MEM
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IWG-OA Coordinator
Courtney Witkowski
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International Policy Fellow
Elise Keister, Ph.D.
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Administrative Management Specialist
Temmie Taylor, MBA
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Web Developer
Melissa Hiatt
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Ensuring that OAP serves all

Letter from Our Director

As Director of NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program, I am honored to lead efforts that serve the public by advancing ocean acidification science in partnership with a far-reaching network of interested groups. For more than a decade, OAP has worked to provide information to help you make decisions about ocean activities like fishing, conservation, recreation and culture. OAP’s success hinges on respecting the variety of talents, experiences, and perspectives belonging to everyone. Collaboration and teamwork are essential to fulfill OAP’s legislative mandate and to support NOAA’s mission to understand our natural world and protect the bounty we enjoy. 

I will work toward representation, fairness, belonging, accommodation, inclusivity and accessibility at all levels. In doing so, we ensure that OAP supports our community and all those who are impacted by our changing ocean. OAP continues to commit to workforce development and retention of young professionals in science, transparency and accountability of program activities, and supporting scientific activities that help answer the public’s questions about how to sustain benefits from the ocean.

I am excited to continue serving the public by ensuring that their needs and perspectives guide OAP’s science, service and stewardship.

Sincerely,
Sarah Cooley
Director, NOAA Ocean Acidification Program

OAP's Action Plan to Address Diversity & Inclusion

NOAA and NOAA Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) are committed to furthering the core values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by “creating, promoting, and sustaining a workplace where the talents of all individuals are nurtured, recognized and appreciated.” The NOAA Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan and the NOAA OAR Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Strategic Plan outline the strategies for furthering these core values. The Ocean Acidification Program (OAP) is dedicated to supporting the broader NOAA missions through program-level action and engagement.

At OAP, we recognize that our work benefits from the diverse perspectives of our staff, stakeholders, and the public we serve. We strive to create an equitable and inclusive work environment free from discrimination and harassment so that all community members are able to contribute and thrive. We have the responsibility of supporting work that will better prepare society to respond to ocean change, and we acknowledge that our goals can only be fully realized by encouraging interdisciplinary, equitable representation in that work. We are committed to the long-term, sustained effort it will take to fulfill this mission.

Learn more about OAP’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility on the NOAA Research DEIA web page.

Learn more about OAP’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility on the NOAA Research DEIA web page.

NOAA OAR Equal Employment Opportunity Office

NOAA Office of Inclusion and Civil Rights

Executive Order on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Federal Workforce

Executive Order Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities through the Federal Government

NOAA Sea Grant Bias Awareness Resources

We have identified key goals for increasing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEI&A) in OAP activities. Below is an overview of our efforts toward achieving these goals. 

Building and retaining a Diverse Workforce
  • Recruitment of individuals at all levels whose diverse backgrounds and experiences will contribute positively to OAP’s mission
  • Incorporation of DEI&A in all Federal employee performance plan
Developing the next generation of ocean acidification professionals
  • Sponsorship and hosting of undergraduate and graduate students through the Hollings Scholarship, Lapenta Internship, Educational Partnership Program with Minority Serving Institutions, Knauss Fellowship Program, and college-supported internships
  • Providing graduate research fellowship opportunities in partnership with NOAA Sea Grant in the Mid-Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and Pacific Islands
  • Advancing OA educational initiatives and engagement in historically underserved and inland communities
  • Participation in both formal and informal mentorship opportunities including active, iterative, one-on-one mentorship of undergraduates to early career professionals
Addressing barriers in funding opportunities
  • Incorporation of bias awareness training for proposal reviewers
  • Development of standard operating procedures for review panels
  • Annual solicitation to expand and diversify reviewer pool
  • Providing honorarium payment for non-Federal panel participants
  • Advocacy for bias-free review in internship, scholarship, and fellowship programs within NOAA
Assessing and addressing stakeholder needs
  • Identification of gaps and inequities in stakeholder engagement and partnerships, and priorities for strengthening relationships moving forward
    • Conducting a nation-wide stakeholder needs assessment
    • Discussions with OAP principal investigators at triennial PI meetings
  • Support of partnerships and engagement with indigenous and tribal communities
  • Support of regional and local resource vulnerability assessments
Accessibility and transparency
  • Hiring processes and Job Opportunities
  • Funding Opportunities
  • OA Data Accessibility

ADAPTING TO OCEAN ACIDIFICATION

The NOAA Ocean Acidification Program (OAP) works to prepare society to adapt to the consequences of ocean acidification and conserve marine ecosystems as acidification occurs. Learn more about the human connections and adaptation strategies from these efforts.

Adaptation approaches fostered by the OAP include:

FORECASTING

Using models and research to understand the sensitivity of organisms and ecosystems to ocean acidification to make predictions about the future, allowing communities and industries to prepare

MANAGEMENT

Using these models and predictions as tools to facilitate management strategies that will protect marine resources and communities from future changes

TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

Developing innovative tools to help monitor ocean acidification and mitigate changing ocean chemistry locally

REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

50 more ways to reduce your carbon footprint >

On the Road

Drive fuel-efficient vehicles or choose public transportation. Choose your bike or walk! Don't sit idle for more than 30 seconds. Keep your tires properly inflated.

With your Food Choices

Eat local- this helps cut down on production and transport! Reduce your meat and dairy. Compost to avoid food waste ending up in the landfill

With your Food Choices

Make energy-efficient choices for your appliances and lighting. Heat and cool efficiently! Change your air filters and program your thermostat, seal and insulate your home, and support clean energy sources

By Reducing Coastal Acidification

Reduce your use of fertilizers, Improve sewage treatment and run off, and Protect and restore coastal habitats

TAKE ACTION WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

You've taken the first step to learn more about ocean acidification - why not spread this knowledge to your community?

Every community has their unique culture, economy and ecology and what’s at stake from ocean acidification may be different depending on where you live.  As a community member, you can take a larger role in educating the public about ocean acidification. Creating awareness is the first step to taking action.  As communities gain traction, neighboring regions that share marine resources can build larger coalitions to address ocean acidification.  Here are some ideas to get started:

  1. Work with informal educators, such as aquarium outreach programs and local non-profits, to teach the public about ocean acidification. Visit our Education & Outreach page to find the newest tools!
  2. Participate in habitat restoration efforts to restore habitats that help mitigate the effects of coastal acidification
  3. Facilitate conversations with local businesses that might be affected by ocean acidification, building a plan for the future.
  4. Partner with local community efforts to mitigate the driver behind ocean acidification  – excess CO2 – such as community supported agriculture, bike & car shares and other public transportation options.
  5. Contact your regional Coastal Acidification Network (CAN) to learn how OA is affecting your region and more ideas about how you can get involved in your community
       More for Taking Community Action