The National Marine Educators Association has named MBARI Senior Education and Research Specialist George Matsumoto the recipient of the 2026 James Centorino Award. The award recognizes Matsumoto’s extensive career at the intersection of research and education, his commitment to supporting the next generation of ocean scientists, and his leadership in the field of marine education.

The National Marine Educators Association is a member-based organization of classroom teachers, informal educators, university professors, scientists, and others from around the world working together to advance the understanding and protection of freshwater and marine ecosystems. 

The association’s James Centorino Award recognizes distinguished performance in marine education at a regional and/or national level and dedication to marine issues over a career. The award was named in memory of Jim Centorino, an educator at Salem State College who co-founded the Massachusetts Marine Educators and later the National Marine Educators Association.

Matsumoto joined MBARI in 1996 and has built a career at the intersection of original research and marine science education. He has extended that research into the classroom for nearly three decades. 

In 2003, Matsumoto launched the EARTH Workshop series, bringing together scientists and classroom educators to incorporate real-time oceanographic data in K–12 lesson plans across a variety of subjects, from social studies and writing to arts, music, and dance. He also leads the Adopt-A-Float program in the Global Biogeochemistry Array (GO-BGC) project, allowing students of all ages to engage directly with scientists and learn about their research by naming and tracking robotic floats. He is an active member of several educational advisory committees, shaping how ocean science is integrated into formal education standards nationally.

Matsumoto also established MBARI’s Summer Internship Program, helping to foster the next generation of ocean scientists, engineers, and educators. He is a tireless advocate for ensuring ocean science and engineering careers are accessible to everyone.

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