OOI Engages with Broader Earth Science Community at NCAR/UCAR Members’ Meeting

Early in October, OOI Lead Principal Investigator Dr. Jim Edson attended the annual NCAR/UCAR Members’ Meeting, where leaders from across the atmospheric, oceanic, and Earth sciences gathered to discuss shared challenges and opportunities in advancing community-driven science. The event, hosted by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) which manages the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), provided an excellent opportunity to connect with colleagues, strengthen partnerships, and highlight how OOI data can contribute to interdisciplinary research across the environmental sciences.

Attending as a representative for both the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and OOI, Jim met with peers from oceanographic institutions and universities with strong programs in ocean, Earth, and atmospheric sciences. Conversations focused on expanding collaboration between NCAR and OOI, particularly in areas of data integration and educational engagement.

Discussions included potential joint initiatives, such as:

• Data Sharing and Integration: Exploring ways to link OOI’s data acquisition systems with NCAR’s Geoscience Data Exchange (GDEX) to enhance community access.
• Field Collaboration: Participation in an upcoming Pioneer Array turnaround cruise, with the goal of launching rawinsonde balloons to study the marine atmospheric boundary layer.

These efforts demonstrate OOI’s ongoing commitment to fostering partnerships that bridge ocean and atmospheric sciences, supporting both cutting-edge research and the next generation of Earth system scientists.

Dr. Carol Anne Clayson and Dr. Jim Edson at the 2025 NCAR/UCAR Members’ Meeting