NOAA Chief Scientist

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NOAA Chief Scientist of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Incumbent
Steven Thur, Ph.D.
since August 2025
Reports toNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Administrator
NominatorPresident of the United States
First holderSylvia Earle

Chief Scientist is the most senior science position at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). They are responsible for safeguarding the health of the nation's waters[1] and advancing policy and program direction for NOAA's science and technology programs.[2] In July 2022, the 117th Congress passed the NOAA Chief Scientist Act revising the qualifications and responsibilities of the position.[3]

Deepwater Horizon controversy

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The position of NOAA Chief Scientist went vacant from 1996 until 2009 when Congress reestablished the position.[4] Then President Barack Obama nominated geochemist Scott Doney in August 2010,[5] but his nomination was blocked by Louisiana Republican Senator David Vitter. The senator blocked several Obama scientific appointments because the administration was holding up the issuing of deepwater exploration permits.[6] This fight lasted until 2012 when the administration withdrew the appointment.[7]

Hurricane Dorian–Alabama controversy

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In September 2019 Hurricane Dorian was on track to hit northern Florida. Then president Donald Trump incorrectly mentioned that Alabama would also be threatened by the storm and on Sept. 4, 2019 displayed an altered National Hurricane Center map. The acting Chief Scientist Craig McLean had the National Weather Service issue a correction via Twitter.[8] The resulting aftermath between the administration and McLean ended in his removal from that position.[9]

Flag

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The NOAA Chief Scientist is authorized to fly a personal flag as described in NAO 201-6 A: Official Flags of NOAA. [10] It is a rectangular field of dark blue with three vertical red stars near the hoist. In the center is a white circle containing a red triangle with the NOAA "flying seagull" logo in it.[11]

List of NOAA Chief Scientists

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No. Image Name Term start Term end Notes
1
Sylvia Earle 1990 January 1992 [1][12]
-- William Hooke January 1992 August 1992 [13]acting
--
Kathryn D. Sullivan August 1992 May 1993 acting
2
Kathryn D. Sullivan May 1993 May 1996 [14][15]
From 1996 until 2014, there was no Chief Scientist at NOAA, even after its explicit reestablishment in 2009. [7]
3
Richard W Spinrad May 2014 December 2016 [7]
--
Craig McLean January 2017 September 2020 acting
-- Ryan Maue September 2020 January 2021 acting[16]
--
Craig McLean April 2021 April 2022 [17]acting
4
Sarah Kapnick April 2022 August 2025 [2]
--
Steven Thur August 2025 incumbent [18]acting

References

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  1. ^ a b "Sylvia Earle Biography". Sylvia Earle Biography. Retrieved 2025-10-05.
  2. ^ a b "Sarah Kapnick named NOAA chief scientist | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration". www.noaa.gov. 2022-07-07. Retrieved 2025-10-05.
  3. ^ Rep. Sherrill, Mikie [D-NJ-11 (2022-07-28). "H.R.3952 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): NOAA Chief Scientist Act". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ "White House Gives Up on NOAA Science Chief Nomination". www.science.org. Retrieved 2025-10-05.
  5. ^ Kiest, Kristina (2010-08-05). "President Obama Announces Intent to Nominate Scott Doney as NOAA Chief Scientist". NOAA Research. Retrieved 2025-10-05.
  6. ^ "Vitter to block nominee over drilling". POLITICO. 2011-02-16. Retrieved 2025-10-05.
  7. ^ a b c "NOAA Gets First Chief Scientist in More Than a Decade". www.science.org. Retrieved 2025-10-05.
  8. ^ "Former top NOAA scientist under Trump issues a "Sharpie-gate" warning - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. 2025-02-08. Retrieved 2025-10-05.
  9. ^ "NOAA's Acting Chief Scientist Reassigned | Sabin Center for Climate Change Law". climate.law.columbia.edu. Retrieved 2025-10-05.
  10. ^ "NAO 201-6A Attachment 1" (PDF). NOAA. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  11. ^ "A proud tradition: The evolution of NOAA's flags | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration". www.noaa.gov. 2024-06-14. Retrieved 2025-10-05.
  12. ^ "NOAA scientist resigns - UPI Archives". UPI. Retrieved 2025-10-05.
  13. ^ "William "Bill" Hooke, Ph.D | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration". voices.nmfs.noaa.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-05.
  14. ^ "Kathryn Sullivan confirmed as NOAA administrator | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration". www.noaa.gov. 2014-03-06. Retrieved 2025-10-05.
  15. ^ "Kathy Sullivan / Scientist, Astronaut, Explorer". kathysullivanastronaut.com. Retrieved 2025-10-05.
  16. ^ ArMiller (2020-12-14). "Ryan Maue". Climate of Denial. Retrieved 2025-10-05.
  17. ^ "Craig McLean | Ocean Discovery League". OceanDiscoveryLeague. Retrieved 2025-10-05.
  18. ^ Team, ITS Web Development (2025-02-12). "Research Partners | Office of the President". www.president.msstate.edu. Retrieved 2025-10-05.