Anna Michel

Dr. Anna Michel is an Associate Scientist in the Department of Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and is the Chief Scientist for the National Deep Submergence Facility that operates ROV Jason, HOV Alvin, and AUV Sentry. As Chief Scientist, Michel engages with the scientists and engineers who utilize these vehicles for deep sea research. Her lab’s research focuses on the development of new in situ sensors and sensing platforms for advancing our understanding of ocean chemistry, especially for measuring dissolved methane and carbon dioxide, in locations ranging from deep-sea hydrothermal vents to methane seeps to the coastal Arctic. Michel’s lab is also developing in situ technologies for measuring microplastics in the ocean. Michel serves as the WHOI PI for the NOAA Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute and as a co-PI on the LOC-NESS Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement Project, leading the engineering aspects of the project. Michel advises graduate students in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Joint Program. Michel received dual BS degrees in Chemical Engineering and Biology and an MS in Ocean Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She has a PhD in Mechanical and Oceanographic Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Joint Program. Michel completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Center for Mid-Infrared Technologies for Health and the Environment (MIRTHE) at Princeton University. Michel was a recipient of an NSF CAREER Award, the Arons Award for Teaching and Mentoring, a National Academies Gulf Research Fellowship, and the WHOI Skylark Award. Michel recently completed a term on The Oceanography Society Council as the Applied Technology Councilor and is currently serving on the steering committee for an NSF-Funded workshop on Quantum Technologies for the Geosciences.