Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Chris Scholin is a pioneering marine biologist and engineer whose work has fundamentally advanced our ability to monitor ocean health in real time. His research centers on developing autonomous robotic systems for *in situ* molecular detection of marine microorganisms, bridging the gap between traditional oceanography and molecular biology. Scholin’s most significant contribution is the creation of the Environmental Sample Processor (ESP), an autonomous robotic device that can collect seawater, extract DNA, and detect specific organisms—like harmful algal blooms or pathogens—directly below the ocean surface, without needing to return samples to a lab. This breakthrough, detailed in his highly cited 2006 paper (33 citations), has revolutionized how scientists monitor marine ecosystems. His 2011 work on robotic sampling and molecular detection of zooplankton (60 citations) further expanded the ESP’s capabilities, while his 2007 paper on controlling the ESP with the Ruby scripting language (25 citations) demonstrated the system’s sophisticated automation. As a leader at MBARI, Scholin’s work has enabled unprecedented, long-term environmental surveillance, making him a key figure in the field of ocean observing systems.