Scripps Welcomes Meenakshi Wadhwa as New Director and Vice Chancellor

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Today marks a brand new period within the historical past of Scripps Institution of Oceanography as Meenakshi Wadhwa takes the reins because the twelfth director of Scripps and as vice chancellor for marine sciences on the University of California San Diego and dean of the School of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences.

Wadhwa succeeds Margaret Leinen, who led Scripps for 12 years and made historical past as the primary lady to carry the place. An esteemed Earth and planetary scientist, Wadhwa has led main analysis packages with NASA and served as director of the School of Earth and Space Exploration at Arizona State University (ASU) from 2019 to 2025.

Here are some things to find out about Wadhwa, together with her analysis experience and fascination with meteorites, a tutorial journey that led her from India to the United States, her earlier expertise at UC San Diego and extra.

What was her path to science?

Wadhwa grew up in north India within the foothills of the Himalayas and cherished being outdoor and exploring the pure world round her.

“I was fascinated to discover that there were limestone rocks near the top of Mount Everest that were once at the bottom of an ancient ocean — it was mind-blowing to think of the tremendous natural forces that resulted in the formation of these mountains,” recalled Wadhwa. “This sense of wonder about natural processes on Earth was what inspired me to study geology as an undergraduate.”

She went on to obtain her bachelor’s and grasp’s levels in geology from Panjab University in Chandigarh, India, and her doctorate in earth and planetary sciences from Washington University in St. Louis. Despite encountering many challenges alongside the way in which, she persevered with help from her household.

“My undergraduate geology department had very few women students or faculty,” mentioned Wadhwa. “Some of the professors tried to discourage me from the program, claiming that fieldwork would be too difficult for me — which only strengthened my determination. Fortunately, my parents were incredibly supportive. They never questioned my desire to travel halfway around the world for higher education, and I’m deeply grateful for their unwavering support and encouragement.”

What analysis is Meenakshi Wadhwa identified for?

Wadhwa is an completed scientist and professor, with a concentrate on planetary and meteorite research. She led the Isotope Cosmochemistry and Geochronology Laboratory at ASU, the place she was acknowledged for growing novel methodologies for top precision isotope analyses to grasp the time scales and processes concerned within the formation of the photo voltaic system and planets. From 2006 to 2019, she served because the director for the Center for Meteorite Studies at ASU, which included administration of the world’s largest university-based assortment of meteorites. She had additionally spent 11 years as geological curator on the Field Museum.