On September 18, 2024, Eve Austin interviewed Dr. Dwayne Meadows remotely via Zoom for the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami oral history project. Born in 1966 and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Meadows developed an early passion for marine biology through competitive swimming and scuba diving. He pursued a degree in biology at the University of California, Berkeley, followed by a PhD at Oregon State University, where he studied coral reef fish in Panama. After working as a professor and research director, Meadows transitioned to a career with NOAA, where he focused on coral reef conservation, marine debris removal, and environmental research in Hawaii.

In this interview, Meadows recounts his experience as a survivor of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami while vacationing in Khao Lak, Thailand. He describes the events leading up to the tsunami, his survival amidst the devastation, and his immediate role in assisting the injured using the advanced emergency medical training he received through NOAA. He discusses the international response, media involvement, and his long-term efforts in tsunami education and outreach. Additional topics include his reflections on disaster preparedness, his contributions to tsunami awareness programs, and his continued work in marine conservation.