Our Story

Mary Carper is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Carper Institute of Marine Research and Development, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing ethical, multidisciplinary marine research while strengthening the connection between science and the communities it serves.

With a background spanning nonprofit leadership, environmental policy, biology, and the social sciences, Mary founded the Institute after recognizing a need for research that is not only scientifically rigorous, but also grounded in ethics, collaboration, and public engagement. She believes that the world's most pressing marine challenges—from climate change and fisheries management to biodiversity conservation and coastal resilience—cannot be solved by any one discipline alone.

Mary earned a Master of Nonprofit Administration from the University of Notre Dame and has pursued graduate work exploring the intersection of marine policy, conservation, and community engagement. Her professional experience includes nonprofit management, education, policy research, and organizational leadership, all of which shape the Institute's commitment to bringing together scientists, policymakers, educators, and local communities to create lasting environmental solutions.

As CEO, Mary leads the Institute's strategic vision, partnerships, fundraising efforts, and long-term research initiatives. She is particularly interested in marine conservation policy, ethical research practices, coastal community resilience, coral restoration, marine genetics, and innovative approaches that bridge natural and social science.

Mary's leadership philosophy is rooted in the belief that scientific excellence and human compassion are inseparable. She envisions the Carper Institute becoming a place where groundbreaking research, ethical decision-making, and meaningful public engagement work together to protect our oceans for future generations.