Dr. Leonardo Macelloni

Dr. Leonardo Macelloni, is a native of Rome, Italy, and received is Doctoral Degree in Applied Geophysics in 2005 from La Sapienza University of Rome. Dr. Macelloni is Associate Research Professor within the School of Ocean Science and Engineering and Hydrographic Science Research Center Senior Scientist. He is a marine geophysicist with over 15 years’ experience in ocean science and exploration both with academy and industry. Dr. Macelloni’s expertise includes, acquisition, processing and interpretation of marine geophysical data (multibeam, seismic, electromagnetic and gravimetry). Dr. Macelloni led the effort to install the first seafloor permanent observatory at MC 118 (Northern Gulf of Mexico) and the bio-geological characterization of several natural hydrocarbon seeps in Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea. At the moment he serves as Co-PI and Fellow of the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute (OECI), which is a 5 years cooperative agreement between NOAA Office for Ocean Exploration and five research institutions (University of Rhode Island, University of New Hampshire, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, University of Southern Mississippi and the Ocean Exploration Trust) to map and explore the US EEZ.

Dr Macelloni’s research interests are advanced seafloor mapping using unmanned vehicles (UUVs, USVs); sediments geo-mechanics and petrophysics, marine mineral resources and alternative energy.

In 2014, Dr. Macelloni was awarded with the prestigious European Union Marie Curie Fellowship.