CALS alumnus named director of National Sea Grant College Program
Leon Cammen
In August, Leon Cammen became the new director of the National Sea Grant College Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Cammen holds a Ph.D. in zoology from N.C. State University.
NOAA's National Sea Grant College Program, located in Silver Spring, Md., works closely with the 30 state Sea Grant programs located in every coastal and Great Lakes state and Puerto Rico, in addition to international programs in Indonesia, Korea, and South America. The 30 programs are the core of a national university-based network of more than 300 institutions, involving more than 3,000 scientists, engineers, educators, students and outreach experts. This network works on a variety of topics vital to human and environmental health, such as water quality, coastal hazards and biotechnology. It is part of NOAA's Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR).
"Dr. Cammen brings experience and vision to lead the National Sea Grant Program as it continues to provide quality research and services to coastal communities," said retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. "With more people living along the coasts, the work done by Sea Grant is more important than ever as it helps NOAA complete its mission."
"Sea Grant's ability to engage this network of the nation's top universities in conducting scientific research, education, training and extension projects to benefit our coastal communities enhances NOAA's science, service and stewardship to these areas," said Dr. Richard Spinrad, NOAA assistant administrator for oceanic and atmospheric research. "With Leon's leadership, I look forward to new and dynamic efforts between NOAA and Sea Grant."
Cammen, who had been serving as acting director of the program since February 2006, has been with Sea Grant since 1990, where he has served as a program officer, research director, and acting deputy director. Since 2004, Cammen has been the program manager for NOAA's ecosystem research program, a cross-cutting entity including programs and laboratories from OAR, the National Ocean Service, and the National Marine Fisheries Service.
NOAA's National Sea Grant College Program, located in Silver Spring, Md., works closely with the 30 state Sea Grant programs located in every coastal and Great Lakes state and Puerto Rico, in addition to international programs in Indonesia, Korea, and South America. The 30 programs are the core of a national university-based network of more than 300 institutions, involving more than 3,000 scientists, engineers, educators, students and outreach experts. This network works on a variety of topics vital to human and environmental health, such as water quality, coastal hazards and biotechnology. It is part of NOAA's Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR).
"Dr. Cammen brings experience and vision to lead the National Sea Grant Program as it continues to provide quality research and services to coastal communities," said retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. "With more people living along the coasts, the work done by Sea Grant is more important than ever as it helps NOAA complete its mission."
"Sea Grant's ability to engage this network of the nation's top universities in conducting scientific research, education, training and extension projects to benefit our coastal communities enhances NOAA's science, service and stewardship to these areas," said Dr. Richard Spinrad, NOAA assistant administrator for oceanic and atmospheric research. "With Leon's leadership, I look forward to new and dynamic efforts between NOAA and Sea Grant."
Cammen, who had been serving as acting director of the program since February 2006, has been with Sea Grant since 1990, where he has served as a program officer, research director, and acting deputy director. Since 2004, Cammen has been the program manager for NOAA's ecosystem research program, a cross-cutting entity including programs and laboratories from OAR, the National Ocean Service, and the National Marine Fisheries Service.