Penhale serves as Acting Head, Polar Environment, Safety and Health Section

Dr. Polly Penhale recently began a temporary assignment as Acting Head, Polar Environment, Safety, and Health Section, OPP. She is currently the OPP’s Senior Advisor, Environment and Environmental Officer.

She holds a B.A. from Earlham College, an M.S., and Ph.D. from North Carolina State University, where her Ph.D. research focused on temperate seagrass ecosystems. She was a post-doctorate scholar at the Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan State University, and the Rosenstiel School of Marine Science, University of Miami. She began her career at NSF as a rotator in the Division of Ocean Sciences followed by a return to the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary. She rejoined NSF as Program Director for Polar Biology and Medicine, OPP, and in 2004, she became the Environmental Officer, OPP. Besides her responsibilities related to environmental stewardship in the U.S. Antarctic Program, she serves on the U.S. Delegation to the Antarctic Treaty, where she is the U.S. Representative to the Committee for Environmental Protection. She also serves on the U.S. Delegation to the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Resources, part of the Antarctic Treaty System.