Page 35: of Marine Technology Magazine (July 2020)

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MTRMTR 05 © Schmidt Ocean Institute

Jyotika Virmani

Virmani

Schmidt Ocean Institute

By Celia Konowe

Dr. Jyotika Virmani, Schmidt Ocean in science. Growing up in a nation under rine science courses and she noted,

Institute’s (SOI) ? rst executive director, the rule and guidance of Queen Eliza- “That’s when it really clicked, that the de? nes what it means to be passionate beth II and Margaret Thatcher and sur- weather and climate is this interconnect- and motivated in the ? eld of marine sci- rounded by a supportive family, Virmani ed system, which includes atmosphere ence and exploration. Her humble start never questioned the possibility of note- and ocean.” Her subsequent PhD was in began in her hometown of Manches- worthy and pioneering women. Believ- physical oceanography at the University ter, England, inspired by the nearby ing it is important for children to grow of South Florida, where she lived and

Lovell Telescope — which was then up around role models, she remarked worked with the Florida Coastal Ocean the world’s largest steerable dish radio how lucky she was to grow up with fe- Observing System Consortium during telescope. Today, her interests and stud- male ? gureheads. Virmani’s studies led the notorious 2004-2005 Atlantic hur- ies, spanning atmosphere to ocean, have her to the intersection of marine and ricane season. It was here her career guided her drive to lead and foster scien- atmospheric science. While complet- became one of adversity. Environmental ti? c advancement in the marine and sub- ing her master’s degree in atmospheric adversity, that is.

sea industry, all while facing adversity science at SUNY Stony Brook, Virmani Shortly after Virmani moved back including rede? ning the role of women was given the chance to take a few ma- to England to take a job with the Met www.marinetechnologynews.com

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