Shelly Tomlinson, Oceanographer

Tell us about yourself and your work at NOS.

My name is Shelly Tomlinson and I am a research oceanographer at NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, which provides the science needed to effectively manage and protect coastal resources, communities, and economies. NCCOS monitors, forecasts, and develops technologies to mitigate impacts of Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) that can contaminate the seafood we eat and the water we drink, causing different types of illnesses and severe economic impacts.

I started my work at NOAA in HAB forecasting 28 years ago. In my role, I develop techniques that use satellite imagery to observe the color of the oceans to monitor for phytoplankton blooms that can become HABs. There are several ocean color satellite sensors that provide information on the location and extent of phytoplankton blooms. Once detected, our team develops forecast models — similar to weather forecasts — that predict when a HAB may impact a coastal community, and alerts coastal managers to HABs before they cause serious damage.

Tell us about your journey to where you are in your career.

My passion for ocean science started in high school when I became a certified SCUBA diver and attended a marine biology summer camp. I went on to pursue a bachelor’s degree in marine science and a master’s degree in oceanography, which combined my love of biology with my strengths in physics and mathematics.

While in graduate school, I worked on a computer model for oyster populations in Delaware Bay, which examined the effect of the environment on two diseases affecting oysters. The project helped me to realize I wanted to work within a government agency to conduct research that has a direct impact on local communities. This work also required computer programming skills, which ultimately helped me get my first job at NOAA with what is now the National Centers for Environmental Information. A few years later, I met an NOS research scientist who was developing the first ecological forecast for the red tide in Florida, and that led me to my current role at NCCOS.

What about your work has felt especially exciting or rewarding?

I am really excited by the applied nature of NCCOS’ work and how it directly benefits coastal communities and the general public. My job offers the opportunity to interact with health officials, water treatment operators, the aquaculture industry, state agencies, lifeguards, and more. These interactions have been the most rewarding part of my career.

What advice do you have for those who would like a similar career?

For those interested in a career in ocean sciences, I suggest pursuing a college degree with a range of courses and hands-on experiences. Oceanography is a very broad field and it is critical to understand how living organisms interact with the environment. I also encourage working and engaging with colleagues outside of your discipline as it provides the opportunity to address relevant issues across the Earth sciences. Also, with the speed at which technology is changing — for example, with the advancements of artificial intelligence and cloud computing — some experience with computer programming and data analysis may be beneficial.