Dr. William J. “Bill” Merrell

Board Member

Dr. William J. “Bill” Merrell is Professor Emeritus in marine sciences at Texas A&M University at Galveston. His nearly four decades of work focuses on large-scale ocean physics, coastal processes, hurricane impacts, and more recently, coastal sustainability, and disaster mitigation and recovery. Dr. Merrell is the only person to have been awarded the Distinguished Service Award of the National Science Foundation twice. His knowledge and experience in Texas and around the country is a tremendous addition to the board of directors.

Dr. Merrell has served as president of the H. John Heinz III Center for Science, Economics, and the Environment, vice chancellor for Strategic Programs of The Texas A&M University System, vice president for Research Policy of Texas A&M University, president of Texas A&M University at Galveston, and assistant director of the National Science Foundation. He has also served on the Ocean Studies Board (chair), Space Studies Board and the Board on Sustainability of the National Research Council. He holds a B.S. in physics and a M.A. in mathematics from Sam Houston State University and a Ph.D. in oceanography from Texas A&M University.