Internationally recognized University of Georgia marine scientist Samantha Joye has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering, one of the highest professional distinctions for engineers and scientists. The NAE announced on Feb. 10 the election of 158 new members who have made outstanding contributions to engineering research, practice or education.
Joye’s research centers on the complex interplay between microbes and large-scale environmental processes in the ocean. She has pioneered new methods of quantifying rates of microbial metabolism and instruments to capture the microbial and biogeochemical signatures of extreme environments at depth in the ocean.
“I offer my congratulations to Dr. Joye on her election to the National Academy of Engineering, a prestigious honor that reflects a lifetime of impactful research,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “Her work epitomizes the University of Georgia’s land-grant and sea-grant mission and sets the standard for excellence in the field of marine science.”
Joye’s research has resulted in 229 peer-reviewed publications and 21 book chapters, and her work has been cited more than 22,000 times, placing her among the top marine science researchers.
“I’m so grateful for my election to the NAE,” Joye said. “The collective work of NAE members is inspirational, addressing complex challenges in the world and advancing engineering and related sciences. I hope my achievements in marine science, and particularly this recognition, will inspire future marine scientists, especially women, to study and innovate for the betterment of the world’s oceans.”
After the largest marine oil spill in the history of the petroleum industry occurred in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, Joye mobilized a team of multidisciplinary researchers to assess the impact of the disaster on the Gulf’s biome. Their work resulted in more than 160 publications and 330 presentations, and Joye participated in hundreds of interviews with media to help reporters and the public understand the extensive environmental impact of the spill.
“Dr. Joye’s research is emblematic of the value of multidisciplinary collaboration to address challenging issues,” said Anna Stenport, dean of UGA’s Franklin College of Arts and Sciences.
“Her unbounded commitment to science, along with her passion for mentoring young researchers, makes her a distinguished member of our faculty. She’s an incredible role model for those around her and for future marine scientists who will follow her.”
Joye is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Geophysical Union, the American Academy of Microbiology and The Explorers Club, and she is a sustaining fellow of the Association for Sciences for Limnology and Oceanography. She is a recipient of a Distinguished Service Award for Education and Outreach from the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Minerals Management Service and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
At UGA, Joye was named a Regents’ Professor by the University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents for the national and international impact of her innovative and pioneering scholarship. She is also a UGA Athletic Association Professor of Arts and Sciences in the department of marine sciences in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences.
“Dr. Joye’s election to the National Academy of Engineering is a testament to the transformative power of her research,” said Benjamin C. Ayers, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “Her work not only pushes the boundaries of marine science but also demonstrates the vital role that University of Georgia faculty play in solving the world’s most pressing challenges. We are incredibly proud of her achievement.”