Dr. Robert Ballard

Dr. Robert D. Ballard is President of the Institute for Exploration at Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, Connecticut and Director of the Institute for Archaeological Oceanography at the University of Rhode Island's Graduate School of Oceanography. He is probably best known for his 1985 discovery of the RMS Titanic. At the Institute for Exploration’s Challenge of the Deep exhibit hall in Mystic, Connecticut, as well as with his Jason Foundation for Education, Ballard hopes to inspire young people to pursue learning in science, math, and technology through exploration and discovery.

Dr. Ballard has received numerous awards. Most recently he was awarded the National Humanities Medal from President Bush. He is an explorer-in-residence with National Geographic Society, chief scientist and founder of the Jason Foundation for Education. He is a member of the Presidential Commission on Ocean Policy and also a member of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s (NOAA) Science Advisory Board.

This past summer Dr. Ballard used satellite and internet technologies to bring thousands of students around the world into direct contact with his team while on a return expedition to Titanic.