Science by the Sea | Innovators at the Intersection

Situated on the waterfront in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) gives scientists from around the world the opportunity to advance their research in a renowned facility surrounded by natural beauty.

Nestled on the waters of Cape Cod, the MBL was founded in 1888 in an effort to advance biology research and educate future scientists. Its mission is dedicated to scientific discovery: exploring fundamental biology, understanding biodiversity and the environment, and informing the human condition through research and education. “Scientists and teachers come from all over the world to study and research here,” says Nipam Patel, director of the Marine Biological Laboratory and professor at the University of Chicago. “It’s a special place where you can have an incredible experience devoted solely to science.”

For 125 years, the MBL was a private institute, and then in 2013, it joined forces with the University of Chicago to advance leadership and innovation in scientific research and education. The affiliation was built on shared values and the historical ties between Chicago and the MBL, which was led by University of Chicago faculty members for the first four decades of its existence. In July 2026, the MBL went back to its independent, nonprofit status.