AIS Employee Amanda Jacobsen Named NOAA Fisheries Team Member of the Year
North Dartmouth, MA — October 7, 2026 — A.I.S., Inc. (AIS) proudly announces that Amanda Jacobsen, a Field Party Chief/Biological Science Technician II supporting NOAA Fisheries’ Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC), has been named a NOAA Fisheries Team Member of the Year.
10/7/20262 min read
North Dartmouth, MA — October 7, 2026 — A.I.S., Inc. (AIS) proudly announces that Amanda Jacobsen, a Field Party Chief/Biological Science Technician II supporting NOAA Fisheries’ Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC), has been named a NOAA Fisheries Team Member of the Year.
This prestigious recognition celebrates Amanda’s leadership, oceanographic expertise, and commitment to NOAA Fisheries’ scientific mission during a year marked by demanding survey schedules and limited sea-going personnel.
Amanda supports the NEFSC Oceanography Branch, which collects high-quality biological, chemical, and physical measurements of the Northeast U.S. Shelf ecosystem. These long-term observations help scientists monitor ecosystem conditions and provide science-based guidance for fisheries, marine mammal, and ecosystem management.
Amanda was nominated by her NOAA Fisheries colleagues after stepping into a critical leadership role shortly before the 2025 summer Ecosystem Monitoring Survey. When the Chief Scientist became unavailable because of a family emergency, the branch faced the possibility of canceling one of its core surveys.
With no other federal personnel available, Amanda agreed to serve as Field Party Chief and coordinate all scientific activities at sea, a new operating model for the branch. She quickly assumed responsibility for cruise preparations, addressed unexpected operational challenges, adapted the survey plan to changing weather, and coordinated an accelerated de-staging process as Hurricane Erin approached.
Under Amanda’s leadership, the 14-day survey achieved 99% coverage of the planned sampling area, making it the Oceanography Branch’s most successful survey of 2025. Her efforts prevented the cancellation of a critical mission and preserved the continuity of datasets used in scientific assessments.
Amanda participated in six Oceanography Branch surveys during 2025 and is regularly called upon for her extensive knowledge of oceanographic fieldwork. During the winter Ecosystem Monitoring Survey, she identified improperly tethered sampling equipment before deployment, preventing what could have been a catastrophic loss for the program.
Her professionalism has also made her a valued collaborator with the NEFSC’s Whale Ecology and Marine Development and Ecology branches, as well as researchers from the University of Rhode Island, the University of Connecticut, and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.
In response to receiving the award, Amanda shared:
“I am truly honored to be named a NMFS Team Member of the Year, and I'm incredibly appreciative of my colleagues who nominated me. I'm grateful for the opportunities and tremendous support I've received over the last five years in this role. It means so much to me to have my commitment to the Oceanography Branch's sampling efforts recognized, and I've learned so much alongside my colleagues throughout my time here.”
In addition to her responsibilities aboard NOAA vessels, Amanda is completing a Master of Science degree at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.
“Amanda represents the very best of AIS, technical excellence, composure under pressure, and an unwavering commitment to mission success,” said Lucas Curci, Department Head of Scientific Research at AIS. “Her willingness to step forward when the program needed her most, combined with the skill and professionalism she demonstrated at sea, exemplifies the leadership we value throughout our organization. We are exceptionally proud to have Amanda on our team.”
Amanda’s recognition reflects the essential contributions of scientific professionals to NOAA Fisheries’ research mission and AIS’s continued commitment to rigorous, high-integrity marine science.
About A.I.S., Inc.
A.I.S., Inc. is a leader in marine science and environmental services, with fisheries observing and monitoring as its foundation. AIS delivers technical excellence and operational support for coastal, fisheries, and ecological research across the United States. By partnering with federal agencies, academic institutions, industry, and local communities, AIS helps ensure the sustainability of the nation’s marine and coastal resources.
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