Dr. Holmes remains active in Science on the Fly, an initiative that unites the fly-fishing and science communities to study and protect rivers around the world. He continues to lead multiple large river research networks, including the Arctic Great Rivers Observatory and the Cape Cod Rivers Observatory, and co-directs the Global Rivers Observatory.
Dr. R. Max Holmes is motivated by a vision of science that connects people with each other and the natural world, and which makes a positive impact in society. He joined Woodwell Climate Research Center as a scientist in 2005 and served as Deputy Director for five years prior to becoming President and CEO in 2021. His own research has spanned the globe—from the Siberian Arctic to the tropical Amazon—focusing on how climate change and other disturbances impact water and chemical cycles in the environment. He is also interested in the vast quantities of ancient carbon held in Arctic permafrost, which may be released as permafrost thaws, exacerbating global warming.
Dr. Holmes is a sought-after speaker at venues ranging from Davos to Mountainfilm Festival. He has been featured on CBS’ 60 Minutes, and quoted by top new outlets including The Boston Globe, The Washington Post, The New York Times, and The Independent. He previously served as director of the US National Science Foundation’s Arctic Systems Science Program, and was elected National Fellow of the Explorers Club in 2015.
