Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s Julie Huber awarded prestigious Rachel Carson Lecture by the American Geophysical Union
Julie Huber and the Rachel Carson statue, near the WHOI Village Campus. (Photo by: Elise Hugus/©Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution) October 8, 2025
Woods Hole, Mass. — The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) is proud to announce that Julie Huber, a senior scientist in the Marine Chemistry & Geochemistry Department, has been selected to deliver the Rachel Carson Lecture at the 2025 American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Conference.
Established in 1998, the Rachel Carson Lecture honors the life and legacy of pioneering marine biologist Rachel Louise Carson. The annual award recognizes women whose work in ocean science is both cutting-edge and deeply relevant to today’s societal and environmental challenges.
Huber’s research focuses on the microbial life that thrives in the deep ocean and within oceanic crustal environment; microorganisms that play a fundamental role in biogeochemical cycles, influence the chemistry of seawater, and may even hold clues to the origins of life on Earth and the potential for life elsewhere in the universe.
Her lecture, “The Deep-Sea Around Us: The Urgent Need to Bring the Seafloor into Sight,” will explore how water-rock reactions deep beneath the ocean floor shape global chemical cycles, sustain microbial life, and provide essential ecosystem services that connect the deep ocean to the surface world. The talk will also address the pressing need to understand these fragile environments as emerging human activities, such as deep-sea mining, begin to impact the seafloor.
“Rachel Carson inspired generations to look beneath the surface and understand our connection to the ocean,” said Huber. “Her legacy reminds us that ocean science must not only push the boundaries of discovery but also serve society by informing how we care for our planet.”
The Rachel Carson Lecture will be presented during the AGU Fall Meeting this December in New Orleans, and recognized at the Ocean Sciences Section Luncheon.
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About Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) is a private, non-profit organization on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, dedicated to marine research, engineering, and higher education. Founded in 1930, its mission is to understand the ocean, its interactions with the Earth, and its role in a changing global environment. WHOI’s pioneering discoveries arise from a unique blend of science and engineering that has made it one of the world’s most trusted leaders in ocean research and exploration. Known for its multidisciplinary approach, advanced ship operations, and unmatched deep-sea robotics, WHOI also operates the most extensive suite of ocean data-gathering platforms worldwide. More than 800 concurrent projects—driven by top scientists, engineers, and students—push the boundaries of knowledge to inform people and policy for a healthier planet. Behind the scenes, ship captains, mates, craftsmen, marine operations, and other skilled professionals provide essential support that makes this work possible. Learn more at whoi.edu.