Meenakshi Wadhwa Appointed as Vice Chancellor for Marine Sciences at UC San Diego and Chosen as the 12th Leader of Our Organization
Meenakshi Wadhwa, a renowned Earth and planetary scientist, has been appointed as the Vice Chancellor for Marine Sciences, Director of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and Dean of the School of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). She will also hold the prestigious Charles F. Kennel Director’s Endowed Chair, commencing her role on October 1, 2025[1][3][4].
Wadhwa's appointment marks a significant milestone for UCSD, as she brings extensive leadership experience and interdisciplinary research expertise to the forefront. As the Director and Dean, she will oversee Scripps Oceanography, a major research institution with an annual operating budget of $304 million, a fleet of four academic research vessels, and a wide array of programs focusing on climate change impacts, hazards resilience, biodiversity conservation, oceans and human health, national security, and innovative Earth observation technology[1].
In her new role, Wadhwa will guide Scripps' research and education efforts, which include graduate programs serving 350 students and undergraduate majors enrolling nearly 900 students[1]. Her appointment follows a nationwide search for an innovative scientist and administrator to lead UCSD’s ocean, Earth, and atmospheric sciences programs, with a focus on addressing pressing global challenges such as climate change mitigation and planetary exploration[1].
Wadhwa's impressive career includes serving as the director of the School of Earth and Space Exploration (SESE) at Arizona State University (ASU) for the past six years. She is a distinguished Earth and planetary scientist and recognized leader with extensive experience in academic and research administration[4].
In addition to her academic achievements, Wadhwa has also made significant contributions to the scientific community. She is a Fellow of several prestigious societies, including the American Geophysical Union, the Meteoritical Society, the Geochemical Society, and the European Association of Geochemistry[2]. She is also an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences[5].
Wadhwa's research focus is on developing novel methodologies for high precision isotope analyses. She has been a recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the J. Lawrence Smith Medal of the National Academy of Sciences, the Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Award, the Guggenheim Fellowship, and the Nier Prize of the Meteoritical Society[6].
Moreover, Wadhwa has served as NASA’s Principal Scientist for the Mars Sample Return (MSR) Program since 2021[7]. She has also been a member of the National Academies Space Studies Board for five years[8]. She has participated in expeditions of the Antarctic Search for Meteorites Program and received the Antarctica Service Medal[2].
Birch Aquarium at Scripps, part of Scripps Oceanography, welcomes 500,000 visitors each year[9]. With her appointment, Wadhwa is eager to bring her leadership perspective to UCSD, where she sees unique opportunities for collaboration across scientific fields.
[1] University of California San Diego. (2023). Meenakshi Wadhwa to Lead Scripps Institution of Oceanography. [online] Available at:
Wadhwa received her doctorate in earth and planetary sciences from Washington University in St. Louis, and her master's and bachelor's degrees in geology from Panjab University in Chandigarh, India[4]. She worked as a postdoctoral scholar at Scripps Oceanography early in her career[2].
With her extensive experience, innovative mindset, and passion for scientific discovery, Wadhwa is poised to make significant contributions to UCSD and the field of oceanography. Her leadership will undoubtedly drive Scripps Oceanography towards new heights in research and education, as they continue to address some of the most pressing global challenges.
Meenakshi Wadhwa's role as Vice Chancellor for Marine Sciences, Director of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and Dean of the School of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at UCSD will involve guiding Scripps' scientific research and education efforts, given her extensive interdisciplinary research expertise, as well as her leadership experience in academia and research. This synergy of science and education-and-self-development is anticipated to propel oceanographic research at Scripps, contributing to the global community and addressing pressing challenges such as climate change mitigation.
