Kilaparti Ramakrishna

Dr. Kilaparti (Rama) Ramakrishna is one of the world's leading experts on ocean and climate policy, bringing together science, diplomacy, and international law to help shape global environmental action. As Senior Advisor to the President and Director on Ocean and Climate Policy at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), he works to ensure that cutting-edge ocean science informs international decision-making and climate solutions. Before joining WHOI, Rama spent decades in senior leadership roles with the United Nations, including the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the Green Climate Fund, and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. A lead author for multiple Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessments and a key contributor to major international climate and ocean agreements, he offers a rare insider's perspective on how science influences global policy.

On board, Rama will explore the critical role of the Southern Ocean in Earth's climate system, the challenges and opportunities of international ocean governance, and why Antarctica lies at the heart of our planet's future. Rama will also explore how emerging technologies, from artificial intelligence and autonomous observing systems, to digital twins of the ocean and advanced Earth observation, are transforming both scientific discovery and environmental stewardship.

Language spoken: English