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Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution has a rich history in ocean exploration and research. Founded in 1930 the institution sits in the mid- dle of a quintessential New England village with a thriv- ing ocean science community. WHOI?s beginnings date back to the early 1920?s when scientists began to discuss a vision of an institution that would bring together experts from multiple  elds to focus on global ocean research. The Institutions  rst research vessel, Atlantis conducted 299 cruises from 1931 to 1966 covering 700,00 miles, exploring all aspects of ocean science and exploration. Today WHOI is one of the most prestigious, and respected Oceanographic Institutions in the world. Recently MTR was able to sit down with Dr. Susan Avery, the current Director at WHOI to get some insight into the newest re- search and educational programs at the Institution. By Rhonda MonizCould you tell us a little about your background, and how you came to WHOI? Yes, I have been here now for four and a half years. Prior to this I was at the University of Colorado. I was at UC for 26 years as both faculty and in administrative positions. I am an atmospheric scientist, and a lot of people ask me what I am doing in oceanography. Well, turns out the ocean and atmosphere inter- act a lot together. They are both ß uid, one is compressible and one is not. They obey some of the same physical laws. Chemistry is a little bit different and of course biology is a lot different in the sense that the atmosphere doesnÕt support the diversity of biol- ogy that the ocean does. A lot of the issues that we deal with in the ocean today are connected with the atmosphere, as they are joint coupled atmosphere-ocean problems. It has been a really exciting move for me because I have done a lot of interdisci- plinary work. I headed up interdisciplinary institutes to a smaller scale before, and now this just adds the ocean dimension to the work that I have done in the past. It is really exciting. Dr. Susan Avery Education insights with WHOI?s September 201242 MTRMTR #7 (34-49).indd 42MTR #7 (34-49).indd 429/10/2012 9:46:19 AM9/10/2012 9:46:19 AM