Margo Edwards is the Director of the Applied Research Laboratory at the University of Hawai‘i and a Senior Research Scientist in the Hawai‘i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. She received her doctoral degree in marine geology and geophysics from Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University in 1992.

Edwards specializes in remote sensing of the seafloor using optical and acoustic systems. Her research focuses on processes involved in creating and modifying the seafloor and oceanic crust. In 1999, Edwards served as Chief Scientist of the Science ICe EXercise (SCICEX) program, becoming the first woman to sail on a U.S. Navy nuclear submarine during an operation. She served as the Chair of the UNOLS Arctic Icebreaker Coordinating Committee from 2004-2007 and received a Distinguished Public Service Award from the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, ADM Thad Allen, for those efforts.

From 2007 until the present Edwards used high-resolution photographic and acoustic data to assess military munitions that were disposed at sea south of O‘ahu, Hawai‘i. She currently leads the ARL in its mission to imagine and develop agile, innovative and cost-effective solutions to problems impacting our stakeholders, community, and planet.