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Energy and Environment Directorate

Molly Grear

Molly Grear

(206) 528-3320

Biography

Dr. Molly Grear is an ocean engineer and marine biologist working in the Coastal Sciences Division at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Her work focuses on the environmental impacts of installing new ocean technology, as well as using biological processes and mechanics to inspire engineering design. Her recent work has also included coastal modeling projects, such as understanding the impacts of storms on coastal infrastructure, resource assessment for wave energy, and modeling offshore macroalgae cultivation. Prior to joining the lab in 2020, Dr. Grear led the National Science Foundation's portfolio in ocean science and technology policy, including advising the White House Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology, as well as assisting in preparing the U.S. National Strategy for Mapping, Exploring, and Characterizing the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone.

Dr. Grear holds a PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Washington, where she studied the potential injury risk of marine mammals from tidal turbine collision through testing and modeling the structural mechanics of whale skin and blubber.

Research Interests

  • Marine biomechanics
  • Marine mammal interactions with human structures
  • Environmental impacts of marine renewable energy
  • Ecological engineering in the marine environment

Education and Credentials

  • Ph.D., Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Washington, 2018
  • M.S., Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Washington, 2016
  • B.E., Engineering Sciences, Dartmouth College, 2012

Affiliations and Professional Service

  • Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology
  • American Geophysical Union

PNNL Publications

2023

  • Branch R.A., D.J. Rose, M.E. Grear, C.D. Briggs, and F.M. Ticona Rollano. 2023. "Powering the Blue Economy: Marine Energy at Kelp Farm Sites." Marine Technology Society Journal 57, no. 4:6-14. PNNL-SA-182866. doi:10.4031/MTSJ.57.4.2
  • Branch R.A., M. Bernitsas, M.E. Grear, S. Liapis, D.J. Rose, C.D. Briggs, and K.M. Jones, et al. 2023. "Low Tidal Current Speed Electricity Generation for Power at an Aquaculture Farm." In University Marine Energy Research Community 2023 (UMERC 2023), 4-6 October, Durham, NH, USA. PNNL-SA-188287. doi:10.5281/zenodo.10265459
  • Branch R.A., M.E. Grear, F.M. Ticona Rollano, J.R. McVey, and T. Wang. 2023. Powering Arctic Observations with Marine Energy. PNNL-31428. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Powering Arctic Observations with Marine Energy

2022

  • Grear M.E., J.R. McVey, E.D. Cotter, N.G. Williams, and R.J. Cavagnaro. 2022. "Quantifying Background Magnetic Fields at Marine Energy Sites: Challenges and Recommendations." Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 10, no. 5:Art. No. 687. PNNL-SA-170089. doi:10.3390/jmse10050687
  • Rose D.J., and M.E. Grear. 2022. Marine Renewable Energy Applications for Restorative Ocean Farming: Kelp. PNNL-32776. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Marine Renewable Energy Applications for Restorative Ocean Farming: Kelp

2018

  • Wang T., Z. Yang, W. Wu, and M.E. Grear. 2018. "A Sensitivity Analysis of the Wind Forcing Effect on the Accuracy of Large-Wave Hindcasting." Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 6, no. 4. PNNL-SA-139620. doi:10.3390/jmse6040139

2017

  • Copping A.E., M.E. Grear, R.A. Jepsen, C. Chartrand, and A.M. Gorton. 2017. "Understanding the Potential Risk to Marine Mammals from Collision with Tidal Turbines." International Journal of Marine Energy 19. PNNL-SA-120984. doi:10.1016/j.ijome.2017.07.004

2016

  • Copping A.E., S.A. Breithaupt, J.M. Whiting, M.E. Grear, J.D. Tagestad, and G.A. Shelton. 2016. "Likelihood of a Marine Vessel Accident from Wind Energy Development in the Atlantic." Wind Energy 19, no. 9:1557-1566. PNNL-SA-108588. doi:10.1002/we.1935
  • Yang Z., S. Taraphdar, T. Wang, L. Leung, and M.E. Grear. 2016. "Uncertainty and feasibility of dynamical downscaling for modeling tropical cyclones for storm surge simulation." Natural Hazards 84, no. 2:1161-1184. PNNL-SA-119692. doi:10.1007/s11069-016-2482-y

Energy and Environment

Core Research Areas

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