PML welcomes new Honorary Fellow Dr Kilaparti Ramakrishna

Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) is delighted to announce that Dr Kilaparti Ramakrishna from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) in Massachusetts has accepted an invitation to become a PML Honorary Fellow.

Dr Ramakrishna’s fellowship began in January 2026 and he brings with him considerable high-level, international expertise in environmental law and policy, which will help support PML’s strategic goals.

PML awards a fellowship in respect and honour for a valued associate, and it serves as an encouragement for strategic partnerships, proposal development and mentoring between each other as relevant.

Having worked extensively with the United Nations (UN), Dr Ramakrishna’s roles have included: Head of Strategic Planning at Green Climate Fund; Head of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific East and North-East Asia Office (UNESCAP ENEA) Office, Chief of Cross Sectoral Environmental Issues and Principal Policy Advisor to the Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

Commenting on the appointment, Dr Ramakrishna said:

“PML’s leadership in marine science and its engagement in the international policy arena are deeply aligned with my own interests. With collaboration between PML and WHOI already well underway, I look forward to building further momentum – especially in shaping science-informed ocean policy and ocean-based solutions to pressing societal problems.”

Dr Ramakrishna was a lead author of several reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and helped draft the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol, two of the most important international agreements for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Before joining the United Nations, Dr Ramakrishna worked for many years as Director of Science in Public Affairs and Vice President at the Woods Hole Research Center in Massachusetts. During this time, he taught at several law schools including at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Harvard Law School, Boston University and Boston College Law Schools, and Yale University.

Dr Ramakrishna is also an elected life member of the US Council on Foreign Relations, the Chair of Strategic Advisory Group of the Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project, Member of the Advisory Board of the global initiative of Economist Impact ‘Back to Blue’, Member of Board of Directors of the Woodwell Climate Research Center, Consensus Building Institute, One Ocean Foundation and the ClientEarth.

Professor Icarus Allen, Chief Executive of PML said:

“We are honoured that Dr Ramakrishna has accepted our invitation to become an Honorary Fellow at PML. His outstanding knowledge and expertise of international environmental policy will strengthen our strategic direction, and we look forward to the significant value this partnership will create.”

Professor Matt Frost, Head of PML’s International Office, added:

“I have greatly valued working with Dr Ramakrishna in the international arena and this appointment builds on that collaboration, strengthening our collective voice on global ocean policy and diplomacy.”