LTJG Heather L. Gaughan

LTJG Heather Gaughan is a Scituate, Massachusetts native who graduated from Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA) with a B.S. in Marine Science, Safety, and Environmental Protection. LTJG Gaughan received her commission into the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps in November 2021.

Aboard NOAA Ship Pisces in Pascagoula, Mississippi, LTJG Gaughan fulfilled the roles of Underway Officer of the Deck, In-Port Officer of the Deck, Navigation Officer, Environmental Compliance Officer, primary Medical Person in Charge, Rescue Swimmer, NOAA Diver, as well as performing various other collateral duties. During her time aboard Pisces, she spent over 300 days at sea, sailing from the Gulf of Mexico to Canadian waters.

Prior to joining the NOAA Corps, LTJG Gaughan’s experience included multiple internships and projects pertaining to NOAA’s missions. In 2020, LTJG Gaughan interned with the NOAA Office of Education where she worked primarily with the communication and outreach team to develop the “Fisheries and Seafood” online resource collection. In 2019, she was responsible for culturing algae for NOAA Milford Northeast Fisheries Science Center’s study on ocean acidification’s effects on sea scallops at MMA’s Marine Science and Aquaculture Laboratory.

LTJG Gaughan credits her experiences volunteering with Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary during her middle school and high school years for inspiring her to pursue a career with NOAA.