Vice President of ECOPs - Dr. Jacquelyn Veatch 

Dr. Jacquelyn (Jackie) Veatch is an NSF Postdoctoral Fellow at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, where she uses a wide array of ocean observing technologies to investigate how physical ocean processes structure marine ecosystems. Her research integrates a wide range of observational and modeling approaches, including satellite remote sensing, in situ measurements, high-frequency radar observations, numerical model output, and Lagrangian diagnostic techniques. Jackie’s work addresses questions such as how marine animals use ocean currents to forage more efficiently, the role of vertical velocities in the Southern Ocean biological carbon pump, and how ocean transport connects marine ecosystems across spatial scales. Her research relies on the integration of marine technology, ocean observing systems, and computational tools to measure and understand dynamic marine environments. She earned her Ph.D. in Physical Oceanography from Rutgers University, where she was an active member of the Marine Technology Society (MTS) New Jersey Student Section. MTS has been a consistent part of her career and her transition from student to early-career ocean professional. Jackie was part of the inaugural EMERGE cohort and received the Norman Miller First Place Prize in the Student Poster Competition at OCEANS Virginia Beach. She has since served as a reviewer for MTS scholarships, a judge for the OCEANS Student Poster Competition, a judge for the MATE ROV competition, and contributed to ECOP Breakfast events and the career networking fair at OCEANS. Jackie currently serves as Chair of the MTS Scholarship Committee and is looking forward to continuing to grow in her involvement with MTS as her career grows. 

Indicate one or two key goals that you hope to accomplish in this position over the next 3 years:
One of my primary goals would be to strengthen and streamline the transition from student membership to early-career membership within MTS. The ECOP Section is unique because, unlike most MTS sections, it is defined by career stage rather than geography. This creates both an opportunity and a challenge: early-career professionals can benefit from a global community of peers while also needing strong connections to the regional sections where they live and work. I would like to develop clearer pathways that connect graduating students with both the ECOP Section and their local MTS communities, helping them maintain a sense of belonging and engagement as they move into the next stage of their careers.

My second goal would be to expand the reach of successful ECOP programming across the broader MTS community. Many ECOP events have traditionally been centered around the OCEANS conferences, and I would like to explore opportunities to bring these activities to other MTS conferences, workshops, and events. At the same time, I would continue supporting successful initiatives that already attract strong participation, such as the Career Accelerator webinar series. Together, these efforts would make ECOP programming more accessible throughout the year and across a wider range of MTS communities, while creating more opportunities for early-career professionals to build networks, develop skills, and establish lasting connections within the Society.

Discuss the qualities and experience you possess that make you a strong candidate for the position for which you are running:
I have been a member and strong advocate of the Marine Technology Society throughout my career, from my time as a graduate student at Rutgers University to my current position as a postdoc at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. My career has been shaped by a commitment to marine science, technology, and ocean engineering and by a belief in the importance of building strong, supportive professional communities.

I have demonstrated a sustained commitment to supporting early-career scientists through leadership, mentorship, education, and community building. I served on the planning team for the Polar Early Career World Summit, helping synthesize the priorities of hundreds of early-career polar scientists to inform the next International Polar Year. I also organized the three-day Programming in Earth Science Classrooms Educational Workshop (PECES), which prepared early-career scientists to confidently incorporate programming into Earth science curricula through collaborative and interactive sessions. These experiences, along with mentoring undergraduate researchers and leading student organizations, have strengthened my skills in project management, collaboration, and community building.

Within MTS, I have progressed from student member and EMERGE Laureate to Scholarship Committee Chair, while contributing to ECOP events, student competitions, career networking activities, and marine technology education.

Most importantly, I have a strong desire to give back to an organization that has provided me with community and support throughout multiple stages of my career. To this role, I would bring enthusiasm, curiosity, a willingness to learn, and a commitment to ensuring that early-career ocean professionals have meaningful opportunities to connect, contribute, and thrive within MTS.