CSA Ocean Sciences Inc. (CSA), a global marine environmental consulting firm, has announced the appointment of Dr. Alexis Weinnig as the latest Senior Scientist to join CSA’s growing pool of marine scientific Subject Matter Experts (SMEs).
Dr. Weinnig joins CSA from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), where she oversaw national research initiatives and coordinated multi-institutional expeditions as Chief Scientist for NOAA’s Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program.
Prior to joining CSA, Dr. Weinnig participated in or led more than 20 oceanographic expeditions across diverse regions from the Southeast US to equatorial Pacific islands and the Aleutian Arc. She has conducted dives in two crewed submersibles, including the human occupied vehicle (HOV) Alvin, to depths exceeding 1,600 meters, and has extensive experience working with remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) for benthic surveys. Her research also encompasses water column characterization and the development of environmental DNA (eDNA) methods for marine monitoring.
Dr. Weinnig also worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher and Research Biologist with the US Geological Survey’s Eastern Ecological Science Center, focusing on deep-sea habitat assessments and seascape genomics. She earned her Ph.D. in Biology from Temple University, an M.S. in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology from San Francisco State University, and a B.S. in Biological Oceanography from the Florida Institute of Technology.
At CSA, Alexis will continue her work at the intersection of ocean exploration and applied marine science, bringing her background in deep-sea ecology and advanced survey tools to projects both domestically and internationally.
“We are delighted to welcome Alexis to CSA’s growing team of leading ocean scientists at an exciting period of company expansion,” said Dr. Chris Kelly, Vice President of Science & Technology at CSA. “Alexis’ proven experience of managing multi-stakeholder deep ocean research programs spanning academia, government, and private industry, paired with her documented expertise in coral ecology, benthic biodiversity, and the integration of advanced subsea technologies, makes her an ideal addition to our team of industry-leading marine environmental SMEs.”
Reflecting on her new role at CSA, Dr. Weinnig added: “I’m excited to join the team at CSA and begin applying my deep-sea research experience in new ways and in new international settings. I look forward to spearheading innovative approaches that will help keep CSA at the forefront of environmental assessment surveys, while driving value for clients and supporting sustainable growth in ocean industries.”
