Sophia Merrifield

Sophia Merrifield is an Associate Professor (Acting) at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, and Co-Director of the Coastal Observing Research and Development Center (CORDC) within the Marine Physical Laboratory. Her research integrates marine robotics with physical oceanography to study air-sea interactions, turbulence, and upper ocean dynamics using autonomous vehicles and adaptive path-planning algorithms.

• PhD, MIT/WHOI Joint Program in Physical Oceanography (2016)
• B.S. in Physics and Mechanical Engineering, Yale University (2010)

Her work focuses on advancing environmental characterization through robotic systems, supported by the Office of Naval Research and recognized with the prestigious Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers in 2025. She also designed and taught the innovative course 'Hacking for the Oceans' at UC San Diego, fostering collaboration between students and industry sponsors to address ocean challenges.

Scientific Awards

• Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Award (2021)
• Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (2025)

As part of CORDC, she leads technology development for coastal observing systems, bridging oceanographic research with autonomy, sensor design, and data analytics in a research group dedicated to national security and expeditionary science applications.