Dr. Ballard received his undergraduate degree in Geology and Chemistry from the University of California. He attended graduate school at the University of Southern California, the University of Hawaii's Graduate School in Oceanography, and received his Ph.D. in Marine Geology and Geophysics from the University of Rhode Island.
 
Dr. Ballard graduated from the University of California as a distinguished military graduate with a Commission in Army Intelligence. Later his Commission was transferred to the U.S. Navy and during the Vietnam War he served on active duty as an Ensign, Lt. J.G. and finally as a Lieutenant. Dr. Ballard has rejoined the U.S. Naval Reserve as a Commander.
 
Dr. Ballard has published over 50 scientific articles in refereed journals including Science, Nature, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, the Journal of Geophysical Research, and many others. He received the Newcomb Cleveland Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science for an article he co‑authored in Science detailing their discovery of high temperature vent fields in the East Pacific Rise.
 
Dr. Ballard has also written many popular articles for the general public including ten articles in National Geographic Magazine. For his popular work he received the Westinghouse Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The books he has written on his discoveries of the R.M.S. TITANIC and the German battleship BISMARCK are worldwide best sellers. His first novel "Bright Shark" and "Explorer" a children's pop‑up book were released in 1992. "The Lost Ships of Guadalcanal," was published in October of 1993. His autobiography, "Explorations" and "Exploring the LUSITANIA", both were published in 1995. His latest book, "Return to Midway" was published in 1999.
 
Dr. Ballard has participated in the production of numerous television programs for the B.B.C., Open University, National Geographic Educational films, Nippon Television, German Television, the Office of Naval Research, the National Science Foundation, Public Television, Walter Cronkite's Universe, and six National Geographic Television specials. From 1989 to 1991 he served as host of the weekly National Geographic Explorer program shown on Turner Broadcasting System. Dr. Ballard was technical advisor on "SeaQuest DSV" during its premiere season in 1993/1994.
 
Dr. Ballard has led or participated in over 100 deep‑sea expeditions including the use of the deep‑diving submersible ALVIN, ARCHIMEDE, TRIESTE Il, TURTLE, BEN FRANKLIN, CYANA, and NR‑1. These expeditions included the first manned exploration of the Mid‑Ocean Ridge, the discovery of warm water springs and their unusual animal communities in the Galapagos Rift, the first discovery of polymetallic sulfides, the discovery of high temperature "black smokers," the discovery of the sunken R.M.S. TITANIC, the German battleship BISMARCK, 11 warships from the lost fleet of Guadalcanal and the World War II aircraft carrier YORKTOWN, and exploration of the luxury liner LUSITANIA and hospital ship BRITANNIC.
 
In addition to receiving the Newcomb Cleveland Award from the AAAS, Dr. Ballard has received the Centennial Award of the National Geographic Society, the AAAS Westinghouse Award, the American Academy of Achievement Golden Plate Award, Sigma Xi William Proctor Award for Scientific Achievement, the Underwater Society of America Award for Science, the Cutty Sark Award for Science, the Compass Award from the Marine Technology Society, the Boston Sea Rovers Diver of the Year Award, Underwater Society of America Northeast Region Diver of the Year Award, the Citation of Merit from the Explorers Club, the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of California at Santa Barbara, the first Secretary of the Navy Chair in Oceanography, a member of Sigma Xi, Distinguished Achievement Award from the College of Engineering at the University of Florida, Innovations in Photography award from the American Society of Magazine Photographers, Washburn Award from the Museum of Science, Lowell Thomas Award from the Explorers Club, Fellow of the Rochester Museum, First Annual Science Service/Science News Award, Circumnavigators Club ‑ Magellan Award, Honorary Doctorates from the University of Rhode Island, Clark University, University of Southeastern Massachusetts, Long Island University, Southampton, the University of Bath, England, and Tufts University, the Wright Prize from Harvey Mudd College, the United States Navy's Robert Dexter Conrad Award for Scientific Achievement, Explorers Club Medal, The Lone Sailor Award and the National Geographic Society's most prestigious award, The Hubbard Medal.
 
Dr. Ballard is President of the Institute For Exploration, founder and Chairman of the JASON Foundation for Education, and Chairman of Odyssey Corporation. He is Scientist Emeritus in the Department of Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
 

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