Susan Avery: Keeping watch - Boston Business Journal:

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And she’s still waiting for a payout on $97.78 million in federal funds and $10 million in stat e funds for an ocean research grantr the institution wonin 2007. It’s a lot of what-ifsw for an atmospheric scientist who is accustomed to havinbg the answers ather “Scientists love data. We love information,” Avery As the Woods Hole chief for nearly a Averysaid she’s gettingt used to making decisions withoutg all the information on hand. Avery said she leads by listening and consulting with her colleagues and always looking tothe future. “I always thinki about how decision-making today will impacgt the future,” Avery said.
In August Woods Hole won its largesft grant fromthe (NSF). Woods Hole was named the lead institutiobn and is expected to take 60 percent ofthe $97.7 millionb prize, with the remainder going to the at the Universit of California, San and . Woods Hole had expected the moneyu to arrive byJune 2008. Federal officials tell the institute the stargt date for the funding is expected inJuly 2010. To Woods Hole has received $1.9 million from NSF for the OceanmObservatories Initiative, part of a $331 millio n project to develop a national systekm of deep-water, satellite-linked buoys for ocean NSF also approved $7.
8 million in 2009 pilot projectg funding, but it is unclear how much WHOI will take of that said Avery. Also lingering is a $10 million pursre of state matching funds fromthe , a quasi-state agencgy aimed at bolstering technology development Until the institution receives the federal state funds won’t come. Avery said Woods Hole requested an initial paymentof $2 million in stated funds but the proposal is pending. Avert said a lag between an award and actuapl funding isnot unusual.
She says she feels “prettt good,” despite that federal agencies have been known to rescind Citing the successof Pocasset-based underwater technologhy company Hydroid LLC, Avery said she planw to foster industry relationships and encourage companies to spin out from Woodz Hole-based research. She hopes to build fruitful partnershipsxaround WHOI’s expertise in visualization software, underwater sensors and underwate r vehicles. “Research that is pushing our natura l world can also provideeconomid development,” Avery said.
Avery added the national ocean researcn project will advance the development of technologiess used forhomeland security, fisheries management and analyzing the impact of climate change on coastal environments. Avery would like to see Woods Hole take a stronger role in articulating state andfederal energy, environmentak and economic development policy. She planws to continue to send scientists to Capitol Hill to testify and advis e state officials about an oceans management law passed earlierthis year. Atmospheric science — not oceanography — is Avery’zs area of expertise.
She’s studied atmospheric circulationand precipitation, climate variabilit y and water resources, and the development of radar for remotwe sensing. After earning her Ph.D. in Avery served as an assistant professor in the departmen of electrical engineering atthe . Prior to joininyg Woods Hole asthe institute’s firsy woman chief, Avery worked at the Universityg of Colorado Boulder for 23 years. The Universithy of Colorado hired Averty as an associate professorin 1985. Most recently, she served as interijm vice chancellor for research and dean of thegraduat school, a role she also held from 2004 to 2005.
Averyy also served as interikm provost and executive vice chancellor foracademixc affairs. While holding interim Avery maintained her job as an electricalk and computer engineering Larry Madin, director of research at Woods Hole, said Averyy is energetic, open and well-respecte by her colleagues. Despite her lack of experiencde in the field of Madin said, she’s show n she could overcome a steepl learning curve. Avery faces some tough financial challenges, said Madin. Federao funding is declining or flat. Fundraisingb will be difficult.