Highlighting Notable Scripps Alumna: Lauren Ward
NASA Earth Science Video Producer Shines at Smithsonian Summit
Lauren Ward, a science communicator and alumna of UC San Diego, is currently making waves at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., where she works as an Earth Science Video Producer. However, the specific details of her journey from Scripps Oceanography to her current role at NASA remain somewhat elusive.
Ward's time at Scripps was marked by a focus on the Gulf of Mexico, where she studied the fragile ecosystem and its impact on local communities. Her research was twofold: understanding the ecosystem and assessing its effect on the people who lived nearby. This work gave her the confidence to ask insightful questions when interviewing scientists and engineers, a skill that has served her well in her current role at NASA.
Ward's educational background at Scripps is not extensively documented, but it's clear that she pursued a graduate degree there to learn the language of marine science. Enric Sala, Explorer-in-Residence, wrote her a letter of recommendation for her program at Scripps.
After Scripps, Ward's career path led her to NASA. Her work at the space agency focuses on topics related to the earth and oceans. She is the executive producer of NASA Explorers, a show that follows intrepid scientists and engineers into the field as they search for answers on Earth and in space.
In 2020, Ward showcased her skills as a host at the Smithsonian Institution's Earth Optimism Digital Summit. The 21-hour live broadcast featured changemakers from all over the world, and Ward was one of four hosts for the event. Her role was similar to that of a news anchor, throwing to various segments, interviewing guests, and providing final thoughts after a panel or film.
Ward's passion for science was sparked by the stories the natural world had to tell. Growing up near the wetlands in Southern California, she developed an interest in the life history of animals born in eelgrass nurseries. This curiosity led her to pursue a Master of Advanced Studies degree in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation (MAS MBC) at Scripps in 2015.
In addition to her work at NASA, Ward advises current Scripps students to relate their work back to the bigger picture and not to lose sight of what they uniquely bring to their field. She also worked with a Young Explorer from New Orleans who was capturing the oral history of local people post-Hurricane Katrina.
Ward's strongest contribution to conservation is her ability to communicate its stories. As she continues to produce videos for NASA, she is helping to bring the wonders of our planet to a wider audience, inspiring a new generation of scientists and conservationists.
- Lauren Ward's educational path at Scripps Oceanography led to a Master of Advanced Studies degree in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation (MAS MBC), sparked by her childhood interest in marine life and the ecosystems of Southern California.
- Ward's focus on the Gulf of Mexico during her time at Scripps was not only about understanding the ecosystem, but also about assessing its impact on local communities, a theme that continues in her current role as a science communicator at NASA.
- Ward's work at NASA, while primarily focusing on topics related to the earth and oceans, has leveraged technology in ambitious projects like NASA Explorers, a show that uses data and cloud computing to follow scientists and engineers in the field.
- In her role as an Earth Science Video Producer at NASA, Ward uses lifelong learning and environmental-science to tell stories that inspire sustainable-living and promote the adoption of technology for conservation efforts.
- Outside of her work at NASA, Ward applies her knowledge of marine biology to advise students at Scripps, encouraging them to relate their work to the bigger picture and emphasize their unique contributions to their field.
- At the 2020 Smithsonian Institution's Earth Optimism Digital Summit, Ward exhibited her skills as a host, using her extensive background in science and education-and-self-development to engage with changemakers from around the world and inspire a broader audience.
