Dariusz Stramski

Professor Dariusz Stramski is a leading figure in optical oceanography currently affiliated with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego, where he has headed the Marine Optics Laboratory since 1997. He holds a PhD in Earth Sciences from the University of Gdańsk (1985) and began his career at the Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences. In 2024/2025, he assumed the honorary Professor Wacław Szybalski Chair at the University of Gdańsk, marking a symbolic return to his academic roots.

His educational background includes:

• Master of Science (MSc) in Oceanography, University of Gdańsk, 1978
• PhD in Earth Sciences, University of Gdańsk, 1985

Professor Stramski's research centers on the interaction between light and seawater, with a focus on radiative transfer, optical properties of marine particles (from viruses to phytoplankton), and the development of advanced optical instrumentation. His work underpins satellite-based ocean color remote sensing and supports major NASA missions such as MODIS, VIIRS, and PACE. He has contributed extensively to inverse modeling and algorithms used in interpreting ocean optical data.

His scientific contributions have been recognized globally, most notably with the 2024 Nils Gunnar Jerlov Medal—the highest honor in optical oceanography—awarded for his comprehensive and pioneering research. He is also a Foreign Member of the Polish Academy of Sciences and has served as Associate Editor for Limnology and Oceanography, as well as on expert panels for IOCCG and NASA.

• Nils Gunnar Jerlov Medal (2024)

As an educator and mentor, Professor Stramski has advised students and early-career scientists at Scripps, fostering international collaboration and advancing training in marine optics. He has led numerous oceanographic expeditions and research projects worldwide. His laboratory continues to innovate in measuring submicron particle distributions and characterizing underwater light fields, especially in low-light environments. His recent lecture series on 'Ocean Color Remote Sensing' and his inaugural Wacław Szybalski Chair lecture titled 'Fundamental Science in Fundamental: Blue Skies Research in Ocean Optics' reflect his ongoing commitment to fundamental and applied research in ocean optics.