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Three MBARI postdoctoral fellows awarded inaugural Neptune Fellowships

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The inaugural Neptune Fellows were announced on World Ocean Day during the Neptune Forum, organized by Mission Neptune at the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, France. Image courtesy of Mission Neptune

Three MBARI postdoctoral fellows awarded inaugural Neptune Fellowships

MBARI postdoctoral fellows Guillaume Liniger, Olívia Soares Pereira, and Shawnee Traylor have been named inaugural Neptune Fellows. This philanthropic fellowship program, administered by Mission Neptune, supports young researchers working to advance ocean exploration and science.

Launched after the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, in 2025, Mission Neptune is a global public-private consortium that brings together public and private scientific organizations, research fleets, and philanthropic partners to advance ocean exploration and support sustainable governance of marine life, ecosystems, and resources. MBARI is a mission partner in this international initiative.

With support from Mission Neptune’s network, the cohort of four new Neptune Fellows will work to better understand ocean ecosystems, their functions, and their vulnerability.

A scientist types at a computer while seated behind a black workbench in an engineering laboratory. He is looking at the cylindrical, black, plastic sensory array from a robotic float. In the background are wooden drawers and cabinets with assorted pieces of engineering equipment.
MBARI Postdoctoral Fellow Guillaume Liniger uses remote sensing technology to study the ocean-climate connection. His work with the Southern Ocean Carbon and Climate Observations and Modeling (SOCCOM) project uses data from robotic floats to analyze ocean productivity and carbon export. Image: Calista Kerba © 2026 MBARI
A scientist examines a brown rock in the lab aboard a research ship. She is smiling while holding a rock in her hands and removing a sample with silver metal tweezers. In the foreground is a tray with samples and scientific dishes. In the background are pumps for a seawater system, a monitor, and white walls.
MBARI Postdoctoral Fellow Olívia Soares Pereira studies the ecology and biodiversity of unique chemosynthetic ecosystems on the deep seafloor. A champion for education and outreach, she aims to raise awareness about humanity’s close connection to the deep sea. Image: Marike Pinsonneault © 2026 MBARI
A scientist examines an oceanographic robot on the wooden workbench of an engineering laboratory. She is dismantling the cylindrical orange plastic housing and examining the electronics inside. In the background are white cabinets, black shelves, and various pieces of engineering equipment.
MBARI Postdoctoral Fellow Shawnee Traylor uses autonomous robots to study ocean carbon. Her work with biogeochemical floats and gliders is helping us better understand the ocean-climate connection to help evaluate the effectiveness of ocean-based climate interventions. Image: Calista Kerba © 2026 MBARI

The Neptune Fellows were announced at a ceremony during the Neptune Forum in Paris, France, on World Ocean Day, June 8. 

The three-day Neptune Forum brought researchers, explorers, creators, experts, decision-makers, and philanthropists from around the world together to discuss the intersection of ocean exploration, science, economics, culture, and diplomacy. 

MBARI’s president and CEO speaks at a podium during a symposium presentation. The clear plastic podium has the Mission Neptune name and logo. On either side are two event speakers. The background is a stylized blue wall.
During the Neptune Forum, MBARI President and CEO Antje Boetius (center) participated in several panel discussions with global leaders in ocean exploration and conservation. Image courtesy of Mission Neptune

MBARI President and CEO Antje Boetius played an active role in the Neptune Forum. She participated in a session on the governance of deep-sea resources and facilitated two panels about Neptune expeditions and the ocean-climate connection. The Neptune Forum also provided new opportunities to connect with the global ocean exploration community, opening the door for future collaborations that can expand the reach of MBARI technology. 

MBARI also contributed footage of deep-sea animals and habitats to the Neptune Forum, screened in the Amphithéâtre Verniquet to immerse participants in the wonders of the ocean world.

Read more about the inaugural Neptune Forum from Mission Neptune.

For additional information or images relating to this article, please email pressroom@mbari.org.

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