“Going out, scrambling up and down mountains, and learning about science firsthand from first principles — it was the ultimate hands-on job, where you could get down and dirty and figure out how Earth really worked.”
Director of the US Geological Survey Marcia K. McNutt, an experienced geophysicist and administrator, has weathered both natural and manmade geological challenges, including earthquakes and the BP oil spill of 2010. As a scientist, she helps inform good policy to protect people and the environment, as well as sustainable use of our natural resources.