David Gallo, Ph.D.Nobel Conference 48

Director of special projects, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Mass.

As director of special projects at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI), David Gallo works closely with scientists and engineers at the forefront of oceanic exploration and discovery. Dedicated to communicating the importance of science and engineering to the public, he has lectured extensively to audiences ranging from elementary school children to corporate executives. He was one of the first oceanographers to use a combination of manned submersibles and robots to map oceanic terrain.

Gallo received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in geological science from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Albany and a Ph.D. in oceanography from the University of Rhode Island. In 1987 he was invited by prominent undersea explorer Robert Ballard to join his team at WHOI as assistant director of the Center for Marine Exploration. He is also a member of film director James Cameron’s Deep Ocean Task Force. Recently he has been involved in the formulation and development of the Liquid Jungle Laboratory of Panama, a venture designed to better understand the interaction between people, tropical forests, and coastal marine habitats.