Scripps Oceanography
2024 Annual Impact Report

Research Highlights

Helping Southern California Survive the Heat Crisis  

With 2024 on pace to be yet another hottest year on record, an interdisciplinary team of scientists at Scripps are working to better understand how heat waves will impact Southern California and strategies to mitigate them. 

The National Science Foundation-funded SoCal Heat Hub­ brings together teams from fields like climatology, epidemiology and public policy to generate impactful, data-driven solutions for long-term climate resilience in the face of extreme heat in Southern California, and other coastal regions around the globe.

The team is working to improve understanding of California’s heat waves, researching how a warming ocean and marine heat waves are impacting the intensity, timing and humidity of heat waves on land.  

Environmental epidemiologist Tarik Benmarhnia is also examining the public health implications of heat, focusing on the disproportionate impact of heat waves on vulnerable populations such as older adults, unhoused individuals and those with chronic health conditions—all of whom face compounded risks during extreme heat events. 

Morgan Levy, an environmental scientist with a joint appointment between Scripps and the School of Global Policy and Strategy is working to understand interactions between vegetation, water and temperature to develop more effective strategies for heat adaptation. The Heat Hub’s goal is to identify sustainable greening strategies that can provide significant cooling benefits without straining already stressed water supplies.

Beyond advancing research, Heat Hub scientists are partnering with school districts and local organizations to increase public awareness of the impacts of extreme heat. This includes the installation of solar-powered weather stations at community centers and schools, like at the WorldBeat Cultural Center in Balboa Park, where weather data is now being incorporated into public engagement and science curriculum. 

Read more on the SoCal Heat Hub here.
 

New Drug Discovery Technique Could Unlock Trove of Marine Compounds 

Researchers from Scripps Oceanography and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences have developed a new approach to scour the oceans for novel compounds that could become the medicines and products of tomorrow. 

The new method, known as small molecule in situ resin capture (SMIRC), captures chemical compounds directly from the sea and could allow researchers to more fully tap the biochemical potential of the world’s oceans for the benefit of humanity.

Already the new technique has facilitated the discovery of several new compounds, one of which shows promising activity against cancer cells and potentially useful effects on heart muscle function.

"What's particularly exciting is that we found these novel compounds from a single deployment site," said Scripps Oceanography microbiologist Paul Jensen, a co-author of the study, which was funded by the National Institutes of Health. "This hints at the vast chemical diversity waiting to be discovered in our oceans."

The research builds upon the marine natural products research led by the Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine at Scripps. 

Find out how Scripps Oceanography and Skaggs School are pioneering the future of marine-derived medicines.
 

UC San Diego Teams Selected as Finalists for NASA Missions 

Two teams led by scientists from Scripps Oceanography are among four selected by NASA to put forward concept studies for future satellite missions to help better understand how our planet is responding to climate change.

The proposals are part of NASA’s Earth System Explorers Program that conducts satellite-based science missions designed to enable Earth system research. 

The two Scripps-led teams are helmed by Scripps physical oceanographer Sarah Gille and Scripps glaciologist Helen Amanda Fricker, who have both been involved in prior NASA satellite missions. As finalists, their teams receive $5 million to conduct a one-year mission concept study. After the study period, NASA will choose two mission concepts for satellites to launch in 2030 and 2032, with a budget of $310 million for each chosen investigation. 

The Ocean Dynamics and Surface Exchange with the Atmosphere (ODYSEA) concept, led by Gille, would measure ocean surface currents globally — for the first time — and simultaneously measure winds over the ocean. ODYSEA would then provide a better understanding of these interactions, improving knowledge of our weather, climate and marine ecosystems.

The mission concept called Earth Dynamics Geodetic Explorer (EDGE), led by Fricker, aims to observe the three-dimensional structure of terrestrial ecosystems like forests and the surface features of glaciers, ice sheets and sea ice in the polar regions. The data from EDGE could transform our understanding of how Earth’s vital carbon and ice stores are changing, inform policymakers and provide vital data for scientists who project future conditions. 

Read more about the concepts.
 

Water Likely Detected on Mars  

Data about Mars’ planetary crust gathered from the Mars InSight lander are best explained by the conclusion that the crust has stores of liquid water.

Analysis led by Vashan Wright, a geophysicist at Scripps Oceanography, provides the best evidence to date that the planet still has liquid water in addition to that frozen at its poles. If that conclusion is true, it sets the stage for new research considering the planet’s habitability and continuing a search for life that exists on a place other than Earth. The potential presence of liquid water on Mars has tantalized scientists for decades. Water is essential for a habitable planet.

Wright’s team used data that InSight collected during a four-year mission ending in 2022. The lander collected information from the ground directly beneath it on variables such as the speed of Marsquake waves from which scientists can infer what substances reside beneath the surface. The data were fed into a model informed by a mathematical theory of rock physics. From it, the researchers determined that the presence of liquid water in the crust most plausibly explained the data.

Explore the Findings on Mars' Crust.
 

Interdisciplinary Team of Scripps Scientists Helps Advance Understanding of DDT Dumpsite off the Coast of Los Angeles  

The ocean several miles off the coast of Los Angeles was a location for industrial and military dumping from between the 1930s and 1970s, and an interdisciplinary team of scientists from Scripps has been working to unravel the extent of the environmental damage and impacts on the ecosystem today.

In January 2024, researchers from Scripps Oceanography shared the results from  an expedition that revisited two industrial undersea dumpsites. Using an autonomous underwater vehicle and remotely-operated vehicle, the survey, led by oceanographers Sophia Merrifield and Eric Terrill, found the majority of the objects to be multiple types of discarded military munitions. The survey effort confirmed the Environmental Protection Agency’s reporting that the majority of the pesticide DDT from these dumpsites was likely deposited by bulk-dumping rather than containerized barrels.  

In March, Scripps’ Lihini Aluwihare and Anela Choy teamed with San Diego State University researchers to announce they had found deep-sea fish and sediments collected from near the dumpsite are contaminated with numerous DDT-related chemicals. The study suggests that the DDT-related chemicals dumped into the ocean decades ago may still be making their way into marine food webs. 

Aluwihare said more work needs to be done to pinpoint the source of the DDT contaminants they found and establish whether the same contamination exists in larger, open-ocean fish species that are consumed by people. 

Then in October, new research was published that combined nine different datasets spanning two decades to provide a comprehensive look at DDT contamination in Southern California’s ocean sediments and fishes. 

The team found that DDT concentrations in ocean sediments were highest close to known dumpsites, suggesting some that the contaminated sediments have mostly stayed put. Fishes from locations where the underlying seafloor had higher levels of DDT also tended to contain higher concentrations of the pesticide. 

Researchers say the good news is that DDT contamination in fish has decreased over time and the vast majority of recreationally caught fish in the region were safe to eat – meaning they were below the threshold used to create California's consumption guidelines.

Stay informed on all research on the DDT dumpsite here.

EDUCATION

UC San Diego Launches New Climate Change Education Requirement 

In Fall 2024, UC San Diego launched a groundbreaking initiative in climate education with the introduction of the Jane Teranes Climate Change Education Requirement (JTCCER). This new graduation requirement—the first of its kind at a major public university and the first within the University of California system—is designed to ensure that undergraduates across all majors are equipped to understand and address climate change. 

The initiative honors the legacy of the late Jane Teranes, a beloved teaching professor at Scripps Institution of Oceanography and advocate for climate education at UC San Diego. 

To meet the JTCCER, all incoming first-year undergraduates will complete a one-quarter course from a list of more than 40 options approved by the UC San Diego Academic Senate, including 12 offered by Scripps Oceanography. With course titles spanning "California Politics," "Literature and the Environment," "Natural Disasters," and more, students can choose a class that fits their interests and major requirements—without adding to their overall workload.

“We set up the new requirement with the best intentions to make sure that UC San Diego produces graduates who are ready to meet the challenges of a changing climate, regardless of their field of study,” said Sarah Gille, a Scripps Oceanography professor who served on the joint Senate–Administration Workgroup that spearheaded the launch of the JTCCER. 

This academic year, UC San Diego is home to 33,800 undergraduates, including more than 7,000 first-year students who will begin fulfilling the new requirement. 

To learn more about climate change research and education at UC San Diego, visit the Climate Change website.

BIRCH AQUARIUM

Little Blues, Big Impact: Birch Aquarium’s Penguin Breeding Success

Birch Aquarium kicked off 2024 in the best way possible — with the arrival of its first-ever Little Blue Penguin chick on New Year’s Day. This tiny trailblazer was just the beginning, as four more adorable chicks followed between January 1 and February 20, marking a major milestone in the aquarium’s penguin care and conservation journey. These hatchlings, all males, are the aquarium’s first contribution to an Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) cooperative breeding program.

Behind the scenes, the Penguin Care Team poured their expertise and passion into ensuring the chicks thrived with decisions thoughtfully tailored to each chick’s needs. The team’s hard work paid off in a big way for these small birds. 

Now adults, the chicks are thriving in the Beyster Family Little Blue Penguins exhibit, where they’ve added a dose of energy and excitement to the colony. Watching them dive, socialize, and explore has been a joy for staff and guests alike. This achievement underscores Birch Aquarium’s dedication to wildlife conservation and is a proud chapter in its ongoing efforts to protect and care for these charming seabirds.

Birch Aquarium Numbers Fiscal Year '23-'24

565,230 total attendance (all-time record)
471 schools served 
30,000 students served 
11,000+ students received financial aid
$270,000 total scholarship dollars given

Equity, Diversity and inclusion

JT-SURF Program Immerses Undergraduate Students in Scientific Research

This summer, 18 undergraduate students from across the country participated in the 2024 Jane Teranes - Scripps Undergraduate Research Fellowship (JT-SURF) program at Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

Funded by the National Science Foundation Division of Ocean Sciences and supported by D-ENTERPRISE, students engaged in hands-on science during the ten-week summer Research Experience for Undergraduates. Students conducted original research under the mentorship of a Scripps faculty member or researcher, gaining important insight into graduate studies and careers in earth, ocean and atmospheric sciences.

The program is named after Scripps Teaching Professor Jane Teranes, who passed away in 2022. Teranes played a major role in leading the SURF program. She served as principal investigator and program director for SURF starting in 2014, working closely with Student Affairs Manager Joshua Reeves to grow the program and increase diversity at Scripps Oceanography and within geosciences. 

The JT-SURF program is now led by Assistant Teaching Professor Dovi Kacev and Student Success and Summer Programs Coordinator Anaí Novoa. The program encourages applications from students who identify as underrepresented minorities, first-generation, economically disadvantaged, veterans, those from nontraditional backgrounds, and individuals from institutions with limited undergraduate research opportunities.

The 2024 JT-SURF program concluded at the end of the summer, when students presented the results of their research at a national conference and the Scripps Oceanographic Undergraduate Research Community Experience Symposium. 

Read more about the 2024 JT-SURF students and their research projects.
 

Scripps Partners with Black In Marine Science to Inspire Next Generation of Scientific Leaders

In December, Scripps Institution of Oceanography partnered with the non-profit organization Black In Marine Science (BIMS) to celebrate its annual BIMS Week. Hosted in San Diego in 2024, the BIMS Week conference was dedicated to celebrating Black marine scientists, while providing activities focused on science, wellness and professional development. This week-long celebration is an endorsed activity of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science amplifying diversity in marine science. 

BIMS provides a platform for Black marine scientists to share their work and access opportunities to increase diversity and inclusion in the marine science field.

Throughout the week, Scripps Oceanography hosted a series of events and activities led by Scripps students, staff and faculty. 

BIMS Week kicked off with a keynote speech from Dawn Wright, the current chief scientist of Esri and former member of the Scripps Director’s Council, followed by a tour of the R/V Sally Ride at the Nimitz Marine Facility. Attendees toured the vessel’s lab spaces and learned about its scientific instruments and state-of-the-art navigation system. 

Activities throughout the week included a Youth Night event hosted at Birch Aquarium, featuring interactive activities, mentorship discussions and presentations aimed at inspiring young people to pursue careers in marine science. 

BIMS week attendees also visited the Scripps campus to learn about earth, ocean, and atmospheric science research. They toured Scripps Pier, the Scripps Collections, and the Hydraulics Lab facility, where they learned about the Scripps Ocean Atmosphere Research Simulator and the Scripps Sandbox MakerSpace. 

Read more about BIMS Week 2024

SCRIPPS INSTITUTION OF OCEANOGRAPHY 
RESEARCH VESSELS

Design of World's First Hydrogen-Hybrid Research Vessel Approved

The vessel’s design was developed by naval architecture and marine engineering firm Glosten. Approval of the preliminary design shows that it meets technical requirements and safety standards, and lays the groundwork for the expanded use of zero-emission hydrogen-powered propulsion at sea.

The zero-emissions-capable vessel represents a major step toward advancing California's pledge to reduce global climate risk while transitioning to a carbon-neutral economy and making progress towards the University of California’s climate action goals.

The ship, known as the California Coastal Research Vessel (CCRV), will be dedicated to California research missions to observe and measure biological, chemical, geological and physical processes including research to better understand fisheries, harmful algal blooms, severe El Niño storms, atmospheric rivers, sea-level rise, ocean acidification, and oxygen depletion zones. 
 

Scripps Ship Support in the Arctic, new CyberInfrastructure Group

The Arctic is one of the fastest-changing regions on the planet, and understanding these changes is critical to our climate system, ecosystem health, and national security. An important initiative funded by the National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs enables marine technicians from Scripps to provide expert technical support to scientists aboard oceanographic  expeditions in the Arctic. 

Led by Scripps, the Ship-based Technical Support in the Arctic (STARC) project is composed of marine technicians from Scripps, Oregon State University and the University of Washington. STARC team members support the technical needs of NSF-sponsored research expeditions aboard U.S. Coast Guard cutter Healy, and specialize in oceanographic work that includes deck operations, shipboard scientific instrumentation, and data acquisition support.

Additionally, Scripps has established a new unit dedicated to cyber infrastructure, operational technology and information technology support aboard all ships operated and supported by Scripps via the new Ship Cyber Infrastructure Services (ShipCIS) group. 

Aboard Healy, ShipCIS as part of the STARC team works to ensure that the shipboard instrumentation collects critical data for Arctic science using an enterprise-grade computing environment. These data are collected and reviewed by the STARC team for quality assurance. As data flow from oceanographic sensors to hard drives and ultimately to the scientific community, it is on a protected and resilient digital infrastructure. 

“Conducting effective scientific missions in the remote Arctic is remarkably challenging, but vitally important for scientists working to understand the physical and biological systems there,” said Bruce Appelgate, associate director of Scripps and head of ship operations and marine technical support. “The STARC team is able to leverage our substantial expertise in marine technical services to deliver world-class support to scientists, who need the very best when they are working at the very top of the world.”

Read more from IT systems analyst Eugene Vivo and geophysical engineer Nick Benz, who described their time assigned to STARC aboard Healy here.  https://scripps.ucsd.edu/news/discovering-mysteries-arctic

INNOVATION

StartBlue Accelerator Program Receives $13.5 Million Award from NOAA

UC San Diego’s StartBlue Ocean Enterprise Accelerator program was awarded $13.5 million from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to expand support for ocean-based startups across the nation with their technology and business development solutions.

Co-led by the Rady School of Management and Scripps, StartBlue has supported the formation of science and engineering startups tackling ocean-focused challenges and solutions integrated into science, industry, investment and government in support of the blue economy.

This funding is part of NOAA’s Ocean Enterprise Initiative, a grant opportunity created to develop and implement accelerator programs that support small businesses and entrepreneurs commercializing ocean, coastal and Great Lakes-based observation technologies, products and services addressing ocean resilience needs. 

The StartBlue Ocean Enterprise Accelerator will provide startups with entrepreneurship training curriculum, technical support, industry mentors, fundraising and network connections.

Read more about the StartBlue Ocean Enterprise Accelerator and the award from NOAA.

GIVING IMPACT

UC San Diego Receives $10 Million for Center on Neurobiology in a Changing Environment 

Climate change is fundamentally altering the marine environment as the ocean warms, making the ocean more acidic and lowering seawater’s oxygen content. The speed and scope of these changes can be mind bending for ocean creatures, potentially altering brain development or distorting senses of marine organisms. 

In September, Scripps Institution of Oceanography announced a four-year, $10 million grant funded by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation to establish the Allen Discovery Center for Neurobiology in Changing Environments. The center will take a multidisciplinary approach to investigating how climate change may impact the nervous systems and behavior of marine animals. 

To understand the potential impacts of climate change, the center will first uncover fundamental mechanisms of marine animals' nervous systems and how they have evolved to function in naturally changing environments. The findings could help predict how marine organisms will respond to climate change and guide conservation efforts for vulnerable species. 

“The question is how the nervous systems of marine animals deal with natural environmental variability and whether they can adapt to the swiftly changing conditions brought about by anthropogenic climate change,” said Martin Tresguerres, a marine physiologist at Scripps who will lead an interdisciplinary group of scientists that will make up the Allen Discovery Center for Neurobiology in Changing Environments. “Some species or populations may be more resilient or more vulnerable than others, and we want to identify them and try to understand the mechanisms behind this resiliency or vulnerability.”

Learn more here.
 

Scripps Supporters Journey to Palau to Learn About Island-Ocean Restoration 

Island communities around the world are suffering some of the worst effects of biodiversity loss and climate change, with ocean degradation, invasive species and biodiversity loss are pushing entire land-sea ecosystems to the brink. 

In September, the Scripps development team organized a trip with philanthropic supporters to the archipelago of Palau to see firsthand the work underway with the Island-Ocean Connection Challenge, which aims to restore at least 40 globally significant island ecosystems from ridge-to-reef by 2030 to benefit biodiversity, climate, and communities. 

The Island-Ocean Connection Challenge is a program that unifies Scripps Oceanography with non-profit partners Island Conservation and re:wild to restore native island ecosystems to benefit the surrounding marine habitats. Participants on the expedition were able to engage key community partners in Palau and meet with indigenous groups, see holistic restoration projects underway, learn about marine science from the Sandin Lab and experience the scientific monitoring efforts taking place to measure the undersea impacts of this restoration. 

If interested in learning more about opportunities to support Scripps Oceanography science or participate in future philanthropic expeditions, email supportscripps@ucsd.edu.