Sammy Harding (AOML/Northern Gulf Institute (NGI)) wins 2025 OAR Team Member of the Year Award for Leadership

December 21, 2025

2025 OAR Team Members of the Year Individual Award for Leadership:

Sammy Harding (AOML/Northern Gulf Institute (NGI)) wins 2025 OAR Team Member of the Year Award for Leadership:
For excellence in managing complex full-spectrum 'omics operations to support NOAA monitoring of coastal, pelagic, and deep-sea genetic diversity.




NGI Scientist Honored for Leadership in Cutting-Edge Ocean Genetics Research

The Northern Gulf Institute (NGI is proud to recognize Sammy Harding, an 'omics laboratory technician at NOAA's Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML), for receiving the 2025 NOAA Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) Team Member of the Year Award for Leadership. Harding was honored for her excellence in managing complex, full-spectrum 'omics operations that support NOAA's monitoring of genetic diversity across coastal, open-ocean (pelagic), and deep-sea ecosystems.

This award highlights both Harding's leadership and the growing importance of 'omics science in understanding and protecting the ocean.

What is "'omics"?

In simple terms, 'omics refers to a group of modern scientific tools that allow researchers to study entire sets of biological molecules such as DNA, RNA, proteins, and metabolites—at once. Instead of examining one species or one gene at a time, 'omics provides a comprehensive view of how living systems function and how they respond to environmental change.

These high-throughput technologies generate large amounts of data that help scientists map biological activity at molecular, cellular, and ecosystem levels. 'omics approaches are now widely used in medicine and agriculture, and they are increasingly vital for environmental monitoring and ocean science.

Reading the Ocean's Genetic Fingerprint

A key part of NOAA AOML's 'omics work involves environmental DNA (eDNA), tiny fragments of genetic material that organisms naturally shed into seawater. By collecting and filtering water samples, scientists can detect which organisms have been present in an area without catching or disturbing them.

This method allows researchers to:

• Monitor biodiversity more efficiently
• Detect rare or hard-to-observe species
• Track ecosystem changes over time
• Sample sensitive or remote habitats with minimal impact

In effect, eDNA provides a genetic "fingerprint" of the ocean, revealing which species are living there and how communities are shifting in response to climate change, pollution, and other stressors.

From Samples to Science: Harding's Leadership Role

Transforming seawater samples into reliable scientific information requires carefully coordinated laboratory systems and strict quality controls. Harding leads the management of these full-spectrum 'omics workflows, ensuring that samples collected at sea are processed consistently, safely, and accurately in the lab and converted into usable data for NOAA scientists.

Her work supports large-scale national and international monitoring efforts, including programs focused on ocean biodiversity and ecosystem health. These initiatives help NOAA better understand how marine life is changing across vast areas of the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico and inform conservation and resource management decisions.

• Building the Future of Ocean Observation


• NOAA views 'omics as a strategic tool for advancing:
  • Biodiversity and habitat monitoring
  • Ecosystem assessments
  • Fisheries and conservation science
  • Climate and environmental forecasting

Through partnerships with institutions like NGI, AOML is helping integrate genetic tools into routine ocean observing systems. This work strengthens NOAA's ability to protect marine ecosystems while training the next generation of scientists in data-driven, interdisciplinary research.

A Model of NGI–NOAA Collaboration

Harding's award reflects the success of the partnership between NGI and NOAA AOML in advancing innovative science and workforce development. Her leadership demonstrates how NGI-supported professionals contribute directly to national priorities in ocean observation, resilience, and environmental stewardship.

As 'omics technologies continue to expand, NGI and its partners are helping turn genetic data into practical knowledge that will improve how we understand, monitor, and care for the ocean.