Rutgers MS in Operational Oceanography Program Celebrates Milestones in Student Success and Faculty Recognition

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Rutgers University’s Master of Science in Operational Oceanography (MOO) program continues to distinguish itself as a leader in applied oceanographic education, celebrating a series of achievements in 2025 that underscore its academic excellence, student success, and faculty mentorship.

Now entering its seventh year, the MOO program has graduated 27 students, each of whom has benefited from a rigorous, immersive 12-month curriculum that blends theoretical knowledge with real-world, hands-on experience. Launched to meet the growing demand for technically proficient professionals in the ocean sciences and marine technology sectors, the program has rapidly established itself as a model for producing career-ready graduates prepared to lead in both research and industry.

This year, the program reached a new milestone with an unprecedented four students selected as finalists in the prestigious Student Poster Competition at the upcoming 2025 Marine Technology Society (MTS) Oceans Conference, one of the most significant international gatherings for marine professionals, technologists, and academics. The selected students include MOO graduates Joseph DiDomenico, Bodhi Fox, Jessica Leonard, and Jason Seiple, as well as Leah Hopson, a PhD candidate in the Rutgers Graduate Program in Oceanography. This marks the largest cohort of Rutgers students ever to participate in the competition, representing over one-third of all finalists. “Our students’ strong showing at MTS Oceans 2025 is a testament to the high impact, applied education they receive here at Rutgers,” said Alexander López, MOO program advisor and Assistant Teaching Professor. “It’s a point of pride not only for the MOO program, but for the entire Rutgers ocean science community.”

That pride is doubly earned this year, as López has been named the recipient of the 2025 MTS John P. Craven Mentor Award. This honor is awarded annually to a distinguished mentor who has demonstrated outstanding and sustained service in the marine technology community. The award invokes the legacy of John Piña Craven, a trailblazer in ocean engineering and innovation, and recognizes those who, like Craven, have profoundly influenced the next generation of marine professionals. López, who earned his Ph.D. in oceanography from Rutgers in the same department where he now teaches and advises students, has built a career that combines cutting-edge research with student-focused mentorship. López focuses his teaching on developing critical thinkers through experiential learning, independent research, and frequent opportunities for scientific communication. He aims to instill in students the habits and confidence of lifelong learners prepared to lead in the sciences.

A Launchpad for Ocean Science Careers

The MOO program’s success lies in its yearlong, hands-on approach to preparing students for impactful careers in ocean science. Designed for those with backgrounds in oceanography, marine science, atmospheric science, or engineering, the program emphasizes real-time data collection, operational decision-making, and applied research. Students begin in May with an intensive summer course that introduces the ocean observing technologies for which the Rutgers University Center for Ocean Observing Leadership (RUCOOL) is internationally recognized—including Slocum gliders, HF radar, and marine sensors—alongside Python programming and research planning. They then progress through a rigorous fall and spring curriculum while simultaneously conducting thesis research on real-world oceanographic challenges.

This year’s MTS Oceans Conference finalists showcase the applied innovation that defines the program. The selected thesis research includes the development of a computer vision framework to classify seafloor habitats from sonar imagery, the integration of a novel water sampling system into an autonomous surface vehicle, the use of nontraditional flight behaviors to enhance glider-based ocean data collection, and the application of sonar to map and monitor hydrothermal vent activity on the seafloor. Together, these efforts reflect the MOO program’s commitment to experiential innovation at the intersection of ocean technology, modeling, and field research.

MOO graduates emerge with technical fluency, data literacy, and firsthand experience in operational oceanography. Many go on to roles in national labs, environmental consulting firms, and agencies like the USGS, while others pursue doctoral research in physical oceanography, ecosystem modeling, and marine robotics. With its clear focus on application and mentorship, the MOO program helps bridge the gap between academic training and workforce needs in the growing Blue Economy. As the seventh cohort begins, the program continues to strengthen its role as a national model for preparing ocean professionals ready to tackle today’s most pressing coastal and marine challenges.