Graham Shimmield has conducted research in oceans all over the world—atolls in the Pacific impacted by El Nino, polar regions to study the consequences of melting sea ice, and offshore oil installations to monitor their impact on local environment. He came to Maine to lead the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences. His goal was and continues to be to help propel the lab forward with new infrastructure, to bring relevance to its science in Maine, and to raise awareness of its research mission nationally and internationally. Since he has served as executive director and president, Shimmield has achieved the design, construction, and completion of the new Bigelow Laboratory in East Boothbay, a critical element in attracting top talent to the state. Shimmield is the recipient of the Society for Underwater Technology’s President’s Award in recognition of his contributions to oceanography. Through his work on nonprofits, Shimmield advocates for research and education in the marine environmental sciences. He serves on the Maine Innovation Economy Advisory Board, Maine Space Grant and Maine Sea Grant, and the advisory boards for Maine Maritime Academy and Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory.