MBARI is pleased to announce Antje Boetius as the institute’s president and CEO. A world-renowned polar and deep-sea researcher, Boetius will lead MBARI into an exciting new chapter in its work to develop and deploy innovative technology to understand our changing ocean.

“All life on Earth depends on a healthy ocean. Yet, it’s surprising how little we know about the immense network of life in our seas. MBARI’s cutting-edge technology plays a vital role in advancing our understanding of the ocean, delivering a stream of surprising discoveries to inform ocean solutions. I’m excited to expand MBARI’s collaborations across the U.S. and around the world, sharing our innovations and the immense expertise of our team to help deepen our connections to the ocean,” said Boetius.

Prior to joining MBARI, Boetius served as the director of the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research in Bremerhaven, Germany, since 2017. She has led or participated in more than 50 scientific expeditions and coordinated multiple national and international research programs to better understand marine life and biogeochemical processes in polar ecosystems.

“Antje Boetius is a visionary leader whose deep scientific expertise and global perspective make her uniquely qualified to guide MBARI into its next chapter. At a time when the health of our ocean is more critical than ever, Antje’s leadership will be instrumental in advancing MBARI’s mission to explore and understand the ocean through technology and innovation. We’re thrilled to welcome her as president and CEO and look forward to the new ocean discoveries she and the MBARI team will help us reach,” said Julie Packard, chair of the MBARI Board of Directors.

Boetius takes the helm of MBARI as the institute expands its capacity for ocean exploration, science, and engineering. She succeeds Chris Scholin, who served as MBARI’s president and CEO for the past 16 years. Scholin will transition to a senior scientist role at MBARI, focusing on further advances with the Environmental Sample Processor (ESP). Functioning as a “lab in a can,” this innovative instrument has dramatically improved efforts to observe, understand, and respond to changes in aquatic ecosystems. 

“Under Chris Scholin’s leadership, MBARI has made incredible contributions to our knowledge about the ocean,” said Boetius, who joined Scholin and Julie Packard yesterday to commemorate MBARI’s new flagship research vessel, the David Packard. MBARI will begin science missions aboard this state-of-the-art ship later this year. “I look forward to working with Chris to find new ways to use technology to improve our presence at sea and share MBARI’s innovations with the entire ocean community.”

Next week, Boetius and Scholin will attend the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, alongside Julie Packard and a delegation from the Monterey Bay Aquarium, MBARI’s education and conservation partner. 

“I’m excited to join ocean leaders from around the world at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference. This is a pivotal moment to forge new partnerships and accelerate our shared commitment to explore and protect our ocean,” said Boetius. “I look forward to sharing some of MBARI’s fascinating discoveries with conference delegates and highlighting our continued commitment to advancing marine science and engineering.”

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