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Marcia McNutt

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description Marcia McNutt Overview

Marcia McNutt is an American geophysicist whose research has included marine geophysics, volcanism, and the structure and evolution of oceanic plates. She directed the United States Geological Survey from 2009 to 2013 and also served as science adviser to the United States secretary of the interior. After leading the journal Science as editor-in-chief, she became the first woman elected president of the National Academy of Sciences in 2016.

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When did Marcia McNutt become president of the National Academy of Sciences?

Marcia McNutt became the first woman elected president of the National Academy of Sciences, taking office in 2016. She succeeded Ralph Cicerone in leading the organization, which was established by Abraham Lincoln in 1863 to provide independent scientific advice to the nation.

What did Marcia McNutt do during her time as USGS director?

McNutt served as director of the U.S. Geological Survey from 2009 to 2013 under President Obama, overseeing the agency's scientific programs spanning natural hazards, water resources, energy, and ecosystems. During her tenure she led the USGS scientific response to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

What role did Marcia McNutt play during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill?

During the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster, McNutt led the Flow Rate Technical Group, which was tasked with estimating the volume of oil gushing from the damaged Macondo well. The group's revised estimates revealed the spill was far larger than early official figures indicated, fundamentally shaping the public understanding of the disaster's scale.

Did Marcia McNutt have a background in oceanography?

Yes, before joining the USGS, McNutt was a prominent marine geophysicist who served as president and CEO of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI). Her scientific research focused on marine geophysics and the dynamics of oceanic tectonic plates, and she also held a faculty position at MIT.