An Oregon State University oceanography professor will be the new leader of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA.
The Senate confirmed Richard “Rick” Spinrad last week. President Joe Biden nominated him in April. Spinrad previously served as NOAA’s chief scientist in the Obama Administration. He’s the third person from OSU to serve as NOAA administrator. Former OSU President John Byrne held the post during the Reagan administration and Jane Lubchenco, OSU Distinguished Professor, led NOAA under Obama.
Spinrad lives near Sisters, Oregon. He was previously OSU’s vice president for research. He returned to OSU in 2016 as a professor of Oceanography in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences.
