GST’s Dr. Heather Roman-Stork has been awarded the 2025 NOAA David S. Johnson Award for outstanding and innovative use of Earth observation satellite data. The award, presented by the National Space Club & Foundation, is given annually to early career scientists who have developed an innovative application of Earth observation satellite data that has proven operationally valuable to users.
Her research on eddy properties, contours, trajectories and a novel eddy index formed the basis for her award. Her work not only produced NESDIS and NOAA’s first eddy tracking product suite but is also groundbreaking due to its inclusion of a wide range of tracked parameters from multiple satellite observations and its focus on the end-user experience. Eddy fronts are known to be feeding grounds for commercially and recreationally important fish and protected marine species (e.g., turtles and whales) therefore possibly causing unintentional intake of protected species by fishers. Heather’s work also permits the NMFS to more effectively monitor productive fishing grounds and marine species, contribute to ARGO float calibrations and more generally provide physical oceanographic information to users.
Dr. Roman-Stork created a user-friendly, all-inclusive product suite that directly supports NOAA fisheries and sanctuary management decisions. Her breakthroughs are likely to improve the quality of NOAA climate data products. The products she developed have broad user appeal within NOAA’s research community and with external decision-makers, further supporting NOAA’s atmospheric and oceanic missions, the Blue Economy and marine ecosystem management.
Laurie Sanger
Lisa Schulze
PAMELA EGAN
MARY PROVUS
DON SHOFF
ROBERT LECH
RAYMOND ROBERTS