Ocean Engineer
Ocean Engineer

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 understanding of biological processes and biomechanics to inspire engineering design. Her recent work has also included coastal development projects, such as modeling and determining the energy needs for kelp cultivation, developing a technical assistance program for communities interested in energy transitions, and understanding community centered design methods for marine energy.  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.  

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 Interest

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

Education

  • 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

Publications

2025

  • Briggs C.D., and M.E. Grear. 2025. "Ocean-Powered Oyster Tumbling: A Review of Techniques and Opportunities for Emission Reductions." Marine Technology Society Journal 59, no. 1:14-30. PNNL-SA-200336. doi:10.4031/MTSJ.59.1.11
  • Whitfield M., H.R. Hudson, L.M. Sheridan, and M.E. Grear. 2025. Planning for a Sustainable and Resilient Energy Future on Beaver Island, Michigan. PNNL-36657. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Planning for a Sustainable and Resilient Energy Future on Beaver Island, Michigan

2024

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

2021

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
  • Copping, A.E. and Grear, M.E., 2018. Applying a simple model for estimating the likelihood of collision of marine mammals with tidal turbines. International Marine Energy Journal, 1 no 1
  • Grear, M.E., Motley, M.R., Crofts, S.B., Witt, A.E., Summers, A.P. and Ditsche, P., 2018. Mechanical properties of harbor seal skin and blubber− a test of anisotropy. Zoology, 126, pp.137-144.

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

2014

  • Carlson, T., Grear, M., Copping, A., Halvorsen, M., Jepsen, R. and Metzinger, K., 2014. Assessment of Strike of Adult Killer Whales by an OpenHydro Tidal Turbine Blade. Report by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL).

2013