Melissa Ward, Ph.D.
Principal Scientist, Windward Sciences



Please see windwardsciences.com
for more information.
Dr. Melissa Ward is the principal scientist for Windward Sciences, which guides and supports emerging scientific questions around ocean-based climate solutions.

Key focal areas include:

1) Blue Carbon:
How do aquatic vegetative habitats such as seagrass meadows, kelp forests, and salt marshes absorb and store carbon, and what role do they play in regional and global climate change mitigation? .

2) Aquaculture:
Aquaculture can alleviate impacts on wild populations, support local communities, and provide ecological co-benefits when done sustainably. We investigate and work with aquaculture operations (primarily molluscan shellfish and seaweed) to build resilience to environmental change.

3) Habitat restoration:
From seagrass meadows to kelp forests to coral reefs, we work with practitioners to understand restoration approaches and natural recovery trajectories. We advise how restoration can be used to support habitat coverage targets and associated and climate goals.