GLIN==> Scavia to Head Michigan Sea Grant College Program

Ann Arbor, Michigan -- Michigan Sea Grant is pleased to announce that Donald Scavia, former chief scientist of NOAA's National Ocean Service, has accepted the position of director of the Michigan Sea Grant College Program and professor in the School of Natural Resources and Environment (SNRE) at the University of Michigan.

Michigan Sea Grant, one of 30 Sea Grant programs in a national network, sponsors Great Lakes research, outreach and education. As director, Scavia will be responsible for overall program management, which is conducted jointly by the University of Michigan (UM) and Michigan State University (MSU), strategic planning, and program development.

"I look forward to the challenge of leading Michigan Sea Grant, and joining the faculty in the School of Natural Resources and Environment," said Scavia. "Both programs hold great potential for advancing Great Lakes research and applying this knowledge through Sea Grant's network of extension agents in coastal communities."

Scavia received his Ph.D. in environmental engineering from the University of Michigan in 1980. He served as a research scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory in Ann Arbor from 1975 to 1990.

He later established and directed NOAA's Coastal Ocean Program. This program, which received special recognition in 1994 by the National Research Council, supports academic and Federal coastal and Great Lakes research through competitive, peer review. From 1998-2001, Scavia established and directed NOAA's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science in Silver Spring, Maryland and later served as chief scientist for the National Ocean Service.

"Scavia's leadership and renown, as a scientist, educator and administrator, will be a great strength in this position," said Rosina Bierbaum, Dean of the School of Natural Resources and Environment at the University of Michigan. "We are confident in his ability to advance the work of Michigan Sea Grant and excited about Dr. Scavia's reputation as a catalyst for significant collaborative endeavors." Bierbaum also noted that as a member of the SNRE faculty, Dr. Scavia is anticipated to be "a valuable colleague, especially in addressing interdisciplinary themes such as sustainability, climate change, and ecosystem management."

Throughout his professional career, Scavia has authored more than 60 papers in refereed journals and is co-editor of the book Ecological Modeling of Lake Ecosystems published by the Ann Arbor Press. He received numerous awards including the Department of Commerce Gold Medal for Leadership. He has held numerous positions in scientific societies and served on many interagency committees, review boards and advisory committees including committees of the National Science and Technology Council.

"Don's scientific expertise and his Washington experience will greatly strengthen the Michigan Sea Grant program. MSU is glad to have him on board," said Dr. Robert Huggett, Vice President of Research and Graduate Education at Michigan State University.

"Don will provide leadership for the University of Michigan's Great Lakes initiative, increasing our aquatic research capacity," said Dr. Fawwaz Ulaby, Vice President for Research at the University of Michigan.

Scavia succeeds Interim Director George Carignan, who has led the Michigan Sea Grant College Program since September 2000.

Michigan Sea Grant, a cooperative program of the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, is one of 30 programs in a national network dedicated to the protection and sustainable use of marine and Great Lakes resources. Funding is provided through the National Sea Grant College Program by NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce. See: http://www.miseagrant.umich.edu