Dawn Wright facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dawn Wright
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| Born | April 15, 1961 |
| Education | Wheaton College (BS) Texas A&M University (MS) University of California, Santa Barbara (PhD) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Geography, Oceanography |
| Institutions | Esri Oregon State University |
| Doctoral advisor | Raymond Smith |
| Other academic advisors | Michael Frank Goodchild Kenneth C. Macdonald Rachel Haymon |
Dawn Jeannine Wright (born April 15, 1961) is an American geographer and oceanographer. She is a top expert in using computer mapping technology, called geographic information system (GIS), to study oceans and coasts. She helped create the first GIS map system for the oceans.
Dr. Wright is the Chief Scientist at a company called Environmental Systems Research Institute (Esri). She has also been a professor at Oregon State University since 1995. She was even named Oregon Professor of the Year once! Dr. Wright made history as the first Black woman to dive to the ocean floor in a special submarine called ALVIN. On July 12, 2022, she became the first and only Black person to dive to Challenger Deep, which is the deepest spot on Earth. She also successfully used a special sonar device there to map the seafloor.
Contents
Becoming a Scientist: Dawn Wright's Education
Dawn Wright studied a lot to become the amazing scientist she is today.
- In 1983, she earned her first degree, a Bachelor of Science in geology, from Wheaton College.
- She then got a Master of Science degree in oceanography from Texas A&M University in 1986.
- In 1994, she completed her Ph.D. in Physical Geography and Marine Geology from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
In 2007, her former university, UCSB, honored her with a special award and asked her to speak at their graduation ceremony.
Exploring the Oceans: Dawn Wright's Career
Dr. Wright's work focuses on mapping areas where the seafloor is spreading apart and studying coral reefs. She uses GIS to analyze marine environments. She helped write one of the first books about using GIS for ocean studies and is known as a very important researcher in her field.
Early Expeditions and Key Roles
Dr. Wright started her career by sailing on a research ship called the JOIDES Resolution. From 1986 to 1989, she went on ten two-month trips, mostly exploring the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
She has also served on many important science boards, including:
- The Ocean Studies Board of the National Academy of Sciences.
- The Science Advisory Board for NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).
- The Science Advisory Board for the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).
Sharing Science with Everyone
Dr. Wright strongly supports STEM education and loves to share science with the public. She has been featured in many places, like The Atlantic magazine, Science magazine, and on BBC radio. She wants more people to get excited about science!
She also helps guide other scientists by being on the editorial boards for several important science journals. In 2018, she appeared in a short film series called "Let Science Speak" at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Dawn Wright has received many awards and honors for her important work. She is an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She is also a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Some of her other awards include:
- Distinguished Alumni Award from UC Santa Barbara.
- Fellow of The Oceanography Society in 2020.
- Geosciences Innovator Award from Texas A&M University in 2019.
- Fellow of the California Academy of Sciences in 2018.
- The 18th Roger Revelle Commemorative Lecturer for the National Academy of Sciences in 2017.
- Fellow of the Geological Society of America in 2016.
- Randolph W. “Bill” and Cecile T. Bromery Award for Minorities from the Geological Society of America in 2015.
- Presidential Achievement Award from the American Association of Geographers in 2012.
- NSF CAREER Award in 1995.
Diversity and Inclusion
Dr. Wright believes it's important for science to include people from all backgrounds. She is part of the American Geophysical Union's Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee. She also supports and participates in the Black in Marine Science organization, which helps Black scientists in marine fields.
See also
- List of people who descended to Challenger Deep
