William Ellison

William Ellison serves as an Affiliate Research Professor at the University of New Hampshire's Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping and Chief Scientist of Marine Acoustics, Inc. (MAI), where he leads critical acoustic modeling initiatives for naval and environmental applications. His expertise spans theoretical acoustic processes with extensive field experience in high Arctic environments and naval systems.

His research focuses on underwater acoustics, marine mammal impact assessment, and computational modeling. Key contributions include developing the Naval Undersea Warfare Center's high-frequency target strength model, the first elastic resonance model for mines, and the high-frequency under-ice acoustic scattering model. His signature achievement is the Acoustic Integration Model (AIM), a real-time virtual system for evaluating anthropogenic sound impacts on marine wildlife populations, recognized by NOAA/NMFS for environmental assessments.

Scientific Awards:

• National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP) award (2007)
• National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP) award (2008)

Dr. Ellison acts as primary scientific advisor for major Navy programs including the Critical Sea Test and Low Frequency Active initiatives. His grants and collaborations include NOPP-funded partnerships with Cornell University and the University of South Florida for environmental impact research. MAI serves as the Navy's principal test and at-sea evaluation agent for surface, submarine, and air ASW systems development.

He directs Marine Acoustics, Inc. as its Chief Scientist, where his team develops and implements acoustic models for defense and environmental applications. The company's work with NUWC and NOAA demonstrates its dual focus on naval operational requirements and marine conservation science through tools like AIM.