Nancy Prouty

As a Research Oceanographer, Nancy is the Lead Principal Investigator (PI) on federally funded studies evaluating the impact of groundwater and land-based pollution on coral reef ecosystems, ensuring the protection of critical marine resources that support American fisheries, tourism, and coastal economies. She has designed and implemented field experiments to assess geochemical factors affecting coral reefs, delivering actionable data to support sustainable coastal management and economic growth.

Nancy is also lead PI on a multi-agency deep-sea coral paleo-ecology project, advancing knowledge with potential applications for marine resource management.

Past Professional Experience:

Science Program Coordinator Advisor, Schmidt Ocean Institute, Palo Alto, CA (July 2010–Nov. 2010)

• Served as liaison between scientists and the Institute to ensure research priorities aligned with technological advancements and national interests.
• Participated in complex planning efforts integrating marine science, engineering, and operations to enhance U.S. leadership in ocean research and innovation.

Mendenhall Postdoctoral Research Fellow, United States Geological Survey, Santa Cruz, CA (2007–2009)

• Led a two-year federally funded research initiative investigating sedimentation impacts on coral reef health, contributing to efforts that protect vital U.S. marine assets and economic sectors.
• Partnered with multiple federal agencies and research institutions to generate data that supports practical, science-based decision-making.

Cooperative Institute for Climate and Ocean Research Postdoctoral Scholar, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA (2004–2007)

• Spearheaded a multidisciplinary initiative to develop advanced tools for assessing coral reef resilience, providing insights beneficial to fisheries management and coastal industries.
• Conducted research on environmental stressors affecting marine ecosystems, supporting efforts that prioritize both conservation and economic prosperity.

University Instructor, University of California, Berkeley, CA (Summer 2004)

• Designed and taught an innovative, student-focused curriculum on oceanography, equipping future scientists and industry leaders with critical knowledge in marine sciences.

Graduate Research Environmental Fellow, Department of Energy (DOE), Stanford University (2000–2004)

• Led an international coral reef research project, supporting U.S. scientific leadership and global partnerships in marine research.