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Gwyneth E. Packard

Senior Engineer
AOP&E

Contact Information:
Work: 508-289-3854
gwyneth@whoi.edu
Building: Bigelow

Mailing Address:
266 Woods Hole Road, MS #10
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Woods Hole, MA 02543

Research Interests

My work on autonomous underwater systems is focused on improving vehicle decision making; increasing the vehicle’s self-perception, survivability, and the vehicle’s ability to adapt to its environment.

Selected Publications

Packard, G., Collins, J., Farr, N., Fiester, C., Gardner, A., Grund, M., Kaeli, J., McRaven, C., Pelletier, L, Purcell, D., and Ware, J. New AUV Adaptive Behaviors for Subsea Data Exfiltration. Proceedings of MTS/IEEE OCEANS, Seattle, WA (2019).

Kaeli, J. W., Packard, G., Grund, M., Fiester, C., Poole, J., Tebo, D., and Purcell M. Online Summaries as a Framework for Perception and Planning in Marine Robotic Systems. Proceedings of MTS/IEEE OCEANS, Seattle, WA (2019).

Farr, N., Packard, G., et al., Delivery of accurate timing to subsea instruments via optic modem technology. Proceedings of MTS/IEEE OCEANS, Seattle, WA (2019).

Kaeli, J. W., Packard, G., Fiester, C., Tebo, D., and Purcell, M. A Range-Only Acoustic Localization Technique for Marine Robotics Applications. Proceedings of MTS/IEEE OCEANS, Seattle, WA (2019).

Govindarajan, A.F., G. Packard, et al., Cross-shore and vertical distributions of invertebrate larvae using autonomous sampling coupled with genetic analysis, Ocean Sci. Mtg., New Orleans, LA, 2016.

Packard, G., et al., Servo controlled rapid MCM target reacquisition using REMUS-100, Proc. MTS/IEEE Oceans, St. John’s, Newfoundland, 2014.

Packard, G., et al., Continuous autonomous tracking and imaging of white sharks and basking sharks using a REMUS-100, Proc. MTS/IEEE Oceans, San Diego, CA, 2013.

Packard, G., et al., Hull inspection and confined area search capabilities of REMUS autonomous underwater vehicle, Proc. MTS/IEEE Oceans, Seattle, WA, 2010.

 

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Education

S.M.:Physical Oceanography, 1995.  M.I.T./WHOI Joint Program

B.S.: Physics, 1990. Pennsylvania State University

Lab/Committees

Oceanographic Systems Laboratory

CUI Environment Team

Biography

Gwyneth Packard is a Senior Engineer in the Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering Department at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and Head of Software in the Oceanographic Systems Lab (OSL). She leads a team of seven where she develops autonomy for underwater systems through behavior design and implementation that enable vehicles to operate effectively in complex ocean environments. Her leadership multiplies outcomes through coordinated development and delivery, ensuring research advances translate into scalable operational capability.

Her career spans physics, oceanography, computer science, and software engineering. A graduate of the MIT/WHOI Joint Program in Ocean Sciences, Gwyneth began with a foundation in physics and oceanography before pivoting into computer science and industry, where she delivered high‑value software solutions. She returned to WHOI to apply that expertise to ocean robotics, bridging science and engineering to deliver Navy‑relevant innovations across both science & technology initiatives and programs of record.

She holds a U.S. patent for marine payload deployment and has contributed to OSL vehicle innovations including the Yellow Moray. Gwyneth has a track record of high‑value individual contributions and now extends that impact through team leadership, training the next generation of engineers while solving practical problems in ocean systems. Her early career included teaching oceanography at sea with the Sea Education Association, thereby reinforcing her commitment to technical mentorship and education.

Her work builds on OSL’s long history of Navy collaboration and industry partnerships, ensuring autonomy software advances serve both national defense and ocean science. She is a recipient of WHOI’s Linda Morse‑Porteous Award, recognizing leadership, dedication, and excellence in technical contribution.