Molly Baringer

Dr. Molly Baringer is a prominent oceanographer currently serving as the Acting Director of NOAA's Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML). With over 22 years of experience at AOML, she has led numerous significant research projects primarily focused on the Atlantic Ocean, studying its circulation patterns and their impacts on climate change.12

Education and Career

• Education: Dr. Baringer earned her Ph.D. in Physical Oceanography from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in 1994. She also holds a B.S. in Mathematics from Tulane University, obtained in 1985.1
• Research Expertise: Her work includes monitoring the meridional overturning circulation and managing high-density XBT observations in the Atlantic Ocean. She has been involved in over 29 hydrographic programs and has served as chief scientist on more than a dozen oceanographic cruises.12

Leadership and Contributions

Dr. Baringer has played a key role in national and international scientific panels, contributing to policy and program management in oceanography. She has published more than 80 peer-reviewed articles and has secured over $30 million in funding for research initiatives.1 Notably, she received the Department of Commerce Bronze Medal for her contributions to the Western Boundary Time Series Team during her career.1

Current Role

As Acting Director of AOML, Dr. Baringer continues to lead research efforts that bridge ocean science with climate policy, collaborating with various national and international research institutions, including NASA and the National Science Foundation.12

Her extensive experience and leadership make her a significant figure in the field of oceanography, particularly in understanding the Atlantic's role in global climate dynamics.