Jane Lubchenco
Tyler Prize Laureate 2015
Championing ocean stewardship through science, leadership, and communication
Quick Facts
Born: December 4, 1947, Denver, Colorado, United States
Affiliation at the time of the award: Oregon State University
Environmental achievement: Recognized for her effective and valiant public leadership to sustain our global ocean commons and for her inspired work in education, mentorship, science communication, and science policy. Her research and policy efforts have advanced understanding of threats to ocean biodiversity and the feasibility and benefits of recovering depleted fisheries and creating marine protected areas to enhance our global life support systems. She has set an example for all scientists to take on the responsibility of communicating science to inform public understanding and policy that sustains earth’s natural resources.
Get to know Jane Lubchenco
Meet the Marine Ecologist Leading Ocean Conservation
Jane Lubchenco is a marine ecologist whose research has deepened our understanding of ocean ecosystems, overfishing, and climate change. She helped create marine protected areas around the world and co-founded influential programs such as the Leopold Leadership Program and COMPASS, which help scientists engage the public. The head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration from 2009 to 2013, Lubchenco advanced science-based policy and better ocean management. One of the most cited ecologists globally, Lubchenco’s leadership in science communication and oceans policy has left an enduring legacy.
