ANN ARBOR—University of Michigan fisheries biologist Jim Diana has been named the new director of the Michigan Sea Grant College Program, a joint program of U-M and Michigan State University. The appointment is effective March 1.

Diana, professor of natural resources and environment, has studied the behavior and ecology of temperate fishes for three decades. He joined the U-M faculty in 1979. He has received numerous professional honors, and is the author of more than 70 scientific publications and reports.

“Jim Diana is the ideal person to be the next Director of Michigan Sea Grant,” said David Allan, acting dean of the School of Natural Resources and Environment. “Jim is a highly regarded fisheries biologist with extensive knowledge of the Great Lakes and the challenges we all face. He has received awards from the University of Michigan and the Michigan Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, and brings considerable administrative experience to the position, having served for eight years as associate dean of SNRE.”

“Michigan Sea Grant is a strong organization, thanks to its excellent staff and Don Scavia’s past leadership,” Allan said. “With Jim as director, we can be confident of the continued excellence of the Sea Grant program.”

Diana replaces U-M aquatic ecologist Donald Scavia as Michigan Sea Grant director. Earlier this year, Scavia was named director of U-M’s Graham Environmental Sustainability Institute.

Michigan Sea Grant is part of the NOAA National Sea Grant network of 30 university-based programs that conduct research, education and outreach to enhance the practical use and conservation of coastal, marine, and Great Lakes resources. Michigan Sea Grant currently supports projects that engage stakeholders and policy-makers in science-based decision-making.

“It is my privilege to be asked to lead a program like Michigan Sea Grant, which has a goal of developing scientific knowledge and applying it to improve the livelihood of local people and the quality of their environment,” Diana said. “This convergence of science for people has been a focus of my teaching and research for many years. As director, I will continue the focus on integration of many disciplines to solve complex problems, and also hope to apply my own interests in fisheries and especially aquaculture toward future economic growth in Michigan.”

Throughout his career, Diana has worked extensively with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR). He is past president of the North Central Division and the Michigan Chapter of the American Fisheries Society and is the 2006 recipient of their Justin W. Leonard Award of Excellence for his contributions to fisheries education, research and management in Michigan.

Diana’s primary research interest has focused on the ecology of natural fishes, particularly pike and muskellunge. In addition, his research interests include a focus on aquaculture, its role in feeding the world, especially in developing countries, and its impact on the environment.

His appointment as head of the Michigan Sea Grant program has been welcomed by the vice presidents for research at U-M and MSU.

“Michigan Sea Grant is a key component of the University of Michigan’s environmental research infrastructure,” said Stephen Forrest, U-M’s vice president for research. “At a time when the regional and national expectations related to environmental research are so high, we are excited that someone with Jim Diana’s academic credentials and managerial expertise is driving Michigan Sea Grant’s future.”

“Jim has an excellent national and international reputation in his research and a great relationship with MSU faculty,” said Ian Gray, MSU vice president for research. “MSU is really looking forward to working with him.”

In addition to his new position at Michigan Sea Grant, Diana will retain a 50 percent faculty appointment including teaching and research with SNRE. His current teaching responsibilities include a senior course on fish ecology and an introductory course in environmental sciences. He was the recipient of the U-M Undergraduate Teaching Award for 2004-05.

Michigan Sea Grant: www.miseagrant.umich.edu

Jim Diana: http://www.snre.umich.edu/profile/jimd

Michigan Sea GrantJim Diana