May 6, 2026 — Dr. Elizabeth “Eli” Holmes received the prestigious Earth Science Information Partners Martha Maiden 2026 Award in January. Dr. Holmes’ 25-year career at NOAA Fisheries demonstrates a deep commitment to advancing open science, fostering collaboration across agencies, and inspiring the next generation of scientists.
At NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Dr. Holmes creates a bridge to apply fisheries and ocean data to solve conservation problems. For example, turning data from fisheries observing systems into actionable information via publicly available models can improve population status assessments, harvest models, and forecasts of imminent threats such as harmful algal blooms. She has developed innovative quantitative tools such as statistical algorithms that support population trend assessments and conservation efforts for species, like endangered Pacific salmon.
Education and training are her passions and the center of her devotion to data accessibility. She has been heavily involved in organizing, teaching, and mentoring at earth science events. She is an affiliate faculty for the University of Washington’s School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences.
In recent years, she has focused on making “big earth data” accessible to the wider fisheries community. “Big earth data” refers to the massive, complex datasets that describe Earth’s systems. These include oceanographic and climate data from remote-sensing satellites, mooring buoys, and underwater gliders that drive models providing forecasts of climate, ocean conditions, and more. She has organized more than 10 different ocean hackweeks and taught more than 500 career scientists.
“Dr. Holmes’ work strengthens scientists’ ability to produce transparent, reproducible, and accessible science, hallmarks of scientific integrity and public trust,” said Corinne Bassin, head of data solutions at Schmidt Ocean Institute, who nominated her for the award.