Larry Mayer
President's Panel for Ocean Exploration Oral History Project
In the second half of 2020, Joanne Flanders conducted a series of Oral History interviews on behalf of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research (OER) around the topic of ocean exploration, with the objectives of providing interviews to the NOAA Voices Oral History Archives and initiating a collection on the topic. OER is also interested in using elements of the interviews in its own outreach and education products, including those created to inspire the next generation of explorers. Five ocean explorers participated including several members of the President's Panel for Ocean Exploration, a group whose recommendations led to the creation of OER 20-years ago. In the future, additional interviews will be conducted by OER, and possibly by other NOAA programs as well who are involved with the topic
On September 18, 2020, Joanne Flanders interviewed Dr. Larry Mayer. The interview focuses on Dr. Mayer's background, including his family’s immigration history from Germany to escape Nazi persecution and their settlement in New York City. Mayer reflects on his upbringing in the Bronx during the 1950s and 60s, his early passion for oceanography, and the pivotal moments that guided his academic and professional pursuits. He describes earning his geology degree from the University of Rhode Island, advancing to a PhD at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and his work in high-resolution seafloor mapping and paleoclimatology. Dr. Mayer recounts his career trajectory, including postdoctoral work at the University of Rhode Island, tenure at Dalhousie University in Canada, and leadership in international collaborations such as the Deep Sea Drilling Program. He discusses his role in establishing the Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping and the Joint Hydrographic Center at the University of New Hampshire, emphasizing technological advancements in ocean mapping and their contributions to understanding climate change. The interview highlights Mayer's contributions to Seabed 2030, a global initiative aiming to map the world’s seafloor by 2030, co-led with international collaborators. He addresses challenges and opportunities in Arctic exploration and advocates for sustained governmental support for ocean research. Mayer also shares personal insights, including his children's achievements and his reflections on the importance of scientific discovery.
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