Dr. Meenakshi Wadhwa Appointed as New Scripps Oceanography Director
Dr. Meenakshi Wadhwa, a renowned Earth and planetary scientist, has been appointed as the 12th director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. She will also serve as vice chancellor for marine sciences and dean of the School of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. Wadhwa succeeds Margaret Leinen, who led Scripps for 12 years and made history as the first woman to hold the position.
Wadhwa brings a wealth of experience to her new role. She received her bachelor's and master's degrees in geology from Panjab University in Chandigarh, India, and her doctorate in earth and planetary sciences from Washington University in St. Louis. Her fascination with geology began in her childhood in north India, inspired by the natural world and the formation of the Himalayas.
Wadhwa's career has been marked by significant achievements. She worked as a postdoctoral scholar at Scripps in 1994, where she credited world-renowned isotope geochemist Günter W. Lugmair as an incredible mentor. She then went on to lead major research programs with NASA and served as director of the School of Earth and Space Exploration at Arizona State University from 2019 to 2025. Her work includes leading the Mars Sample Return Program and having an asteroid named after her, 8356 Wadhwa. She has also been elected to the National Academy of Sciences.
In her new role, Wadhwa sees opportunities to lead in developing solutions to environmental, climate, and human health challenges. She also aims to expand industry collaboration in the emerging blue economy. Known for her work-life balance, she enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, scuba diving, and being a licensed pilot. Wadhwa is expected to bring her extensive experience and passion to Scripps, driving innovation and progress in marine and earth sciences.
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