Derek Sowers

Derek Sowers serves as an Affiliate Assistant Professor at the University of New Hampshire's Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping and holds the position of Mapping Operations Manager for the Ocean Exploration Trust. Previously, he spent nine years as an Expedition Coordinator for NOAA Ocean Exploration, leading mapping and ROV missions aboard the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer.

His academic credentials include:

• B.S. in Environmental Science, University of New Hampshire
• M.S. in Marine Resource Management, Oregon State University
• Ph.D. in Oceanography, University of New Hampshire

Dr. Sowers specializes in ocean mapping applications for marine habitat characterization and deep-sea exploration. His doctoral research developed standardized geomorphology maps for the U.S. Atlantic Margin below 200 meters. Field experience spans Arctic, Pacific, and Atlantic expeditions, with additional contributions to coastal research and restoration through NOAA and EPA programs.

He operates from the Jere A. Chase Ocean Engineering Laboratory at the University of New Hampshire.