Larry Mayer

With a background in marine geology and geophysics, Larry Mayer UNH is currently the director for the Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping. He is also the co-director for the Joint Hydrographic Center, as well as a professor of earth science and ocean engineering at the University of New Hampshire.

Larry Mayer is currently heading research that deals with sonar imaging and remote characterization of the ocean floor. Larry is also researching advanced applications of 3D visualization to ocean mapping problems and application of mapping to Law of the Sea issues, particularly in the Arctic.

Prior to earning his Ph.D. from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in Marine Geophysics in 1979, Larry Mayer UNHgraduated magna cum laude with an Honors degree in Geology from the University of Rhode Island in 1973. After being selected as an astronaut candidate finalist for NASA’s first class of mission specialists, Larry Mayer went on to become an expert in his field through various related positions.

While earning his Ph.D., Larry Mayer worked with the Marine Physical Laboratory's Deep-Tow Geophysical package, applying this sophisticated acoustic sensor to problems of deep-sea mapping and the history of climate. Larry Mayer’s present research involves sonar imaging and remote characterization of the seafloor as well as advanced applications of 3D visualization to ocean mapping problems and applications of mapping to Law of the Sea issues, particularly in the Arctic.

It wasn’t until 2000 that Larry Mayer UNH became the founding director of the Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) and the co-director of the NOAA/UNH Joint Hydrographic Center.

Larry Mayer is a Professor and first Director of the newly established School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering at the University of New Hampshire (UNH). He is also the Director of the Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping and the co-director of the NOAA/UNH Joint Hydrographic Center at the university. As an expert in the field of marine geology, Larry has served on, or chaired, a number of international panels and committees and has the requisite large number of publications on a variety of topics in marine geology and geophysics.

Larry Mayer UNH is the recipient of the Keen Medal for Marine Geology and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Stockholm. He was a member of the President’s Panel on Ocean Exploration and chaired a National Academy of Science Committee.