The University of California, San Diego, has announced the appointment of Indian-American planetary scientist Dr. Meenakshi Wadhwa as the Vice Chancellor for Marine Sciences, effective October 1, 2025.
In her new role, Wadhwa will also serve as Director of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Dean of the School of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, and Charles F. Kennel Director’s Endowed Chair.
Wadhwa’s appointment follows a rigorous national search for a visionary leader to helm UC San Diego’s globally renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
She will succeed Dr. Margaret Leinen, who has led the institution since 2013 and was the first woman to hold the post. Leinen will continue in her position until Wadhwa officially assumes office.
A Homecoming and a New Chapter
This appointment marks a return to familiar ground for Wadhwa, who began her scientific journey as a postdoctoral scholar at Scripps, working alongside the late isotope geochemistry pioneer Günter W. Lugmair.
Reflecting on her early experiences, she said, “My time at Scripps was hugely influential in setting the trajectory for my career. I attribute many of my successes to the training and mentorship I received here.”
Her return comes at a critical moment, as the planet faces urgent environmental and climate-related challenges.
“The complex challenges we face today cannot be addressed by any single scientific discipline,” Wadhwa noted. “The interdisciplinary opportunities at UC San Diego, combined with Scripps’ 122-year legacy, uniquely position us to tackle some of humanity’s most pressing problems.”
Bridging Planetary Science with Earth’s Urgent Needs
Wadhwa brings a rare combination of planetary science expertise and academic leadership to her new role.
Currently the Director of the School of Earth and Space Exploration (SESE) at Arizona State University, she has overseen extensive educational and research programs in geosciences, oceanography, planetary science, astronomy, and engineering.
Since 2021, she has also served as NASA’s Principal Scientist for the Mars Sample Return Program, a high-profile mission in collaboration with the European Space Agency aimed at bringing Martian rock samples to Earth.
In this role, she coordinated scientific direction across multiple NASA centers, ensuring alignment between scientists, engineers, and the broader research community.
Her research spans isotope geochemistry, meteoritics, astrobiology, and the formation of the solar system. At ASU, she leads the Isotope Cosmochemistry and Geochronology Laboratory, which develops cutting-edge techniques for high-precision isotope analyses.
Accomplished Career, National Recognition
Wadhwa is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a recipient of multiple prestigious awards, including the NASA Exceptional Public Service Medal, J. Lawrence Smith Medal, Guggenheim Fellowship, and Fulbright-Nehru Award.
She has chaired NASA’s Advisory Council Science Committee and served on the National Academies’ Space Studies Board. She also participated in Antarctic meteorite expeditions, earning the Antarctica Service Medal.
From 2006 to 2019, she directed ASU’s Center for Meteorite Studies, managing the largest university-based meteorite collection in the world. Before her academic career, she was Curator of Meteorites at the Field Museum in Chicago.
Vision for the Future at Scripps
Scripps Institution of Oceanography operates on an annual budget of $304 million and maintains a fleet of four academic research vessels.
It leads research on climate change adaptation, ocean health, environmental resilience, and national security. Its educational programs serve over 350 graduate students and 7,000 undergraduates.
Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla praised the appointment, saying, “Dr. Wadhwa’s outstanding leadership and interdisciplinary experience make her uniquely qualified to address global environmental and planetary challenges. I’m confident she will build on Scripps’ legacy of innovation and elevate UC San Diego’s position as a global research powerhouse.”
Wadhwa emphasized her commitment to training future scientists and fostering collaborative, cross-disciplinary initiatives.
“From a planetary perspective, I appreciate the deep interconnectivity between Earth’s systems, oceans, atmosphere, solid Earth, and space. As we face an era of unprecedented change, I’m eager to lead Scripps into its next era of discovery and education.”
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