Deb Goodwin

Deb Goodwin is an earth and marine scientist whose work supports research, exploration and science education in remote environments around the world. Her interest in wild places began with extended backcountry expeditions as a teenager and has grown into a career focused on understanding how geology, weather, ecological processes and human history together shape seascapes and coastal landscapes.

Deb studied Earth Science at Carleton College and holds graduate degrees in Ecosystem Biology, Oceanography and Education. Over the past two decades, she has taught and led science projects globally, with additional experience working alongside the National Park Service, UNESCO and wilderness-based leadership development programs.

As Chief Scientist at Sea Education Association, Deb leads undergraduate research voyages aboard sailing vessels, training students in scientific methods, navigation, teamwork and environmental stewardship. Her scientific interests include documenting environmental change through long-term datasets, remote sensing and field observation, with research spanning offshore plastic pollution and the coastal ice-ocean interface.

Deb also serves on the Expedition Science Committee, where she reviews research proposals and coordinates logistics to support Visiting Scientists joining National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions voyages. Through her work, she helps connect expedition travel with ongoing scientific discovery and conservation-focused inquiry.