Governance and Boards

Governance and Boards

CIMERS is governed by an Executive Board representing OSU's Office of Research and numerous OSU colleges and programs, Hatfield Marine Science Center, Oregon Sea Grant, and NOAA laboratories and fisheries science centers. In addition, CIMERS benefits from the advice and guidance of its Science Advisory Council on emerging OSU research initiatives and NOAA mission goals to ensure CIMERS research addresses issues of key importance.

CIMERS Executive Board

CIMERS is administered jointly through the OSU Research Office with oversight from an Executive Board comprised of members from participating organizations under the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding between OSU and NOAA/NMFS. The Executive Board provides “One-NOAA” oversight and direction to CIMERS, and communicates NOAA policies, priorities, coordination opportunities and performance matters. They review and comment on the CIMERS annual report and approve appointments of the Science Advisory Council (SAC). In exercising its review and evaluation capacities, the Executive Board includes the CIMERS Director in its deliberations and may invite representatives from the SAC or any other relevant participants. The Executive Board is chaired by the Vice President for Research at OSU and is comprised of representatives from NOAA line offices and programs that have research interests in the Northeast Pacific and leadership from relevant colleges at OSU. The NOAA Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) Cooperative Institute Program Director is a special advisor to the Board in a non-voting ex-officio status. The Director of CIMERS or his designee also serves as a non-voting member of the Executive Board.

  • Irem Tumer, Interim Vice-President for Research, OSU

  • Robert Cowen, Director, Hatfield Marine Science Center, OSU

  • Robert Foy, Director,Science and Research, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, NOAA

  • Jack Barth, Executive Director of the Marine Studies Initiative (MSI), OSU

  • Michelle McClure, Director, Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, NOAA

  • Kevin Werner, Science and Research Director, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, NOAA

  • Rebecca Smyth, NOAA Office for Coastal Management, West Coast Regional Director, , NOAA

  • Tuba Ozkan-Haller, Dean, College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, OSU

  • Francis Chan, Director, CIMERS, OSU (ex officio)

CIMERS Advisory Council

The Science Advisory Council (SAC) provides input on research directions, progress, and policy to the Director. Proposal review is a critical function of the SAC. This council, comprising members of collaborating academic departments and NOAA line offices, meets on an ad hoc basis to review scientific proposals directed to the Institute at the call of the Chairperson.  Appointment to the council is recommended by the Director of CIMERS and approved by the Executive Board.  The Director also serves as Ex Officio on the CIMERS Science Advisory Board. 

  • Bill Chadwick, Research Associate, CIMERS, OSU

  • Lorenzo Ciannelli, Professor, Ocean Ecology and Biogeochemistry, College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, OSU

  • Louise Copeman, Assistant Professor, College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, OSU

  • Steve Dundas, Assistant Professor, Department of Applied Economics, National Ocean Service, NOAA

  • Owen Hamel, Director, Fishery Resource Analysis and Monitoring Division, NWFSC

  • Sarah Henkel, Assistant Professor, Integrative Biology, OSU

  • Tom Hurst, Acting Program Manager, Newport Laboratory Director, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, NOAA

  • Kym Jacobson, Program Manager, Estuarine & Ocean Ecology, Division of Fish Ecology, NWFSC

  • Christopher Parrish, Associate Professor, Civil and Construction Engineering, College of Engineering, OSU

  • Carol Stepien, Leader, Ocean Environment Research Division, Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, NOAA

  • Paul Wade, Research Biologist, Nat. Mar. Mammal Lab, Cetacean Assessment and Ecology Program, AFSC

  • Waldo Wakefield, Professor, College of Earth, Ocean, & Atmospheric Sciences, OSU

  • George Waldbusser, Assistant Professor, College of Earth, Ocean, & Atmospheric Sciences, OSU

  • Laurie Weitkamp, Research Fisheries Biologist, Cons. Biol. Division, NWFSC

  • Francis Chan, Ex-Officio, Director CIMERS