Robert D. Ballard

Among the most accomplished and well-known of the world's deep-sea explorers, Dr. Robert Ballard is best known for his historic discoveries of hydrothermal vents, the sunken R.M.S. Titanic, the German battleship Bismarck, and numerous other contemporary and ancient shipwrecks around the world. During his long career, he has conducted more than 150 deep-sea expeditions using the latest in exploration technology.

He has received prestigious awards from the Explorers Club and the National Geographic Society—the Explorers Medal and the Hubbard Medal, respectively—as well as the Lindbergh Award. In 2003 President George W. Bush presented him with the National Endowment for the Humanities Medal in the Oval Office of the White House. He is currently a National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence.

Tell us about your work/research. What kinds of things do you do?

I am a marine geologist who first studied the continental margins of North America, but then shifted my interests to the volcanic, tectonic, and hydrothermal processes of the Mid-Ocean Ridges.  Later in my career, I developed a secondary interest in marine archeology and maritime history.  Of equal interest to me was the development of the deep submergence technology needed to carry out my research; first with the development of deep-diving submersible followed by the development and use of remotely operated vehicles with a focus on “telepresence technologies”.  I am also passionate about education and outreach activities encouraging the next generation to build careers in ocean, engineering, and technical fields. 

What sparked your initial interest in your career?

I grew up in San Diego, California a short walk from the Pacific Ocean where I spent most of my childhood free time initially walking along its sandy beaches. This led me to learn how to swim and then SCUBA dive. I became fascinated with the ocean floor after watching Walt Disney’s movie “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.” 

Who influenced you or encouraged you the most?

I was lucky to have a lot of people along the way encouraging me to follow my dream to become an oceanographer including my parents, teachers, and eventually oceanographers themselves.  

What element of your work/study do you think is the most fascinating?

I love putting together teams of individuals from multiple disciplines and inspiring them to take on extremely complex challenges. I find when teams think goals are impossible to do and then actually accomplish those goals, it inspires them to take on even more challenging goals in life.  

What other jobs led you to your current career?

I first went to sea on an oceanographic cruise when I was seventeen years old. Throughout my education, I spent summers doing something associated with oceanography and ocean engineering. That was followed by a long series of summer jobs working with a team of engineers designing deep-diving submersibles, becoming a dolphin trainer during graduate school, and eventually becoming a Naval Officer assigned to the ALVIN submersible program at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution where I spent the next thirty years of my career.

What are your degrees and certifications?

I received an undergraduate degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara in Geology and Chemistry with minors in Mathematics and Physics followed by a Ph.D. in Marine Geology and Geophysics from the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography while working at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. 

What are your hobbies?

I loved SCUBA diving and fishing while growing up in Southern California, but later in life developed an interest in gardening and becoming “a handyman” around my home when not at sea

How did you get involved with the Nautilus Exploration Program?

I became passionate to build the Nautilus Exploration Program by acquiring a ship and developing it into the E/V Nautilus.

What advice would you give someone who wants to have a career like yours?

Don’t let anyone talk you out of pursuing your dreams even if you have to overcome challenges that face you in pursuing your passions. One of my challenges was turning my dyslexia into a gift that made my dreams come true.