Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) is an independent, non-profit organization focused on ocean science, technology, education, and communication. Its work centres on understanding the ocean as part of the Earth system and using that knowledge to address practical challenges affecting people, coastal communities, marine resources, national security, economic growth, and public decision-making. Its scope covers research, exploration, education, and the translation of ocean science into information that scientists, decision-makers, and the public can use. WHOI conducts broad scientific and engineering work across the ocean sciences. Its research areas and programs span applied ocean physics and engineering, biology, geology and geophysics, marine chemistry and geochemistry, marine policy, and physical oceanography. Its projects and initiatives deal with corals, microplastics, harmful algal blooms, ocean observatories, the ocean twilight zone, ocean worlds, and fisheries-related research. The institution does not concentrate on a single product line or a narrow service, but supports a wide range of ocean-related inquiry running from fundamental science through to applied solutions. A major part of WHOI's work is enabling ocean access and observation. The institution operates research vessels and underwater vehicles, supports cruise planning and expedition work, and maintains ocean observatories, instruments, data repositories, and marine facilities. Its scientific facilities and services include analytical labs, imaging and visualization capabilities, seawater facilities, sea-going science support, diving support, mooring and buoy services, vehicle expertise, and skilled trades. Those capabilities let researchers collect, analyze, and interpret data from difficult marine environments. WHOI serves educational and public audiences as well. It offers graduate, postdoctoral, undergraduate, guest student, and K-12 educational programs and resources, and it communicates ocean science through stories, media, events, publications such as Oceanus magazine, and other educational materials. What distinguishes WHOI is the combination of hard-won sea experience, innovative technology, research, and education, brought together to generate knowledge about the ocean and its links to human society.