Monday, March 07, 2016

Aswani Volety, dean of the UNCW College of Arts and Sciences, has assumed the role of president of the Southern Association of Marine Labs, a position he will hold for the next two years.

“Dean Volety is a superb choice to lead SAML and to help further cooperation and collaboration in marine science research,” Provost Marilyn Sheerer said. “His new position reflects UNCW’s reputation in the marine science field and highlights the established work of the university and the Center for Marine Science.”

Volety, who holds a Ph.D. in marine science, will oversee an organization representing more than 50 nonprofit labs from Maryland to Texas, as well as Bermuda, Panama and the U.S. Virgin Islands. He has held other leadership positions with the association, most recently president-elect.

“I am looking forward to working with the other directors of SAML labs to promote marine science research and education to benefit the economy and society, and to working with legislators and resource managers in using science to make policy decisions,” Volety said.

In his role with SAML, he also serves on the executive committee of the National Association of Marine Laboratories to help set policy decisions. The regional and national organizations also work to enhance research funding and to develop collaborative opportunities in education and research.

“I have known Aswani since he was a graduate student at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and have followed his career closely as he has developed as a scientist, a scholar and an administrator,” said Louis E. Burnett, past president of the association and professor of biology at the College of Charleston. “His insights into the operations of marine labs will be invaluable to SAML member institutions as they strive to serve students, scientists, the general public and industry.”

-- Tricia Vance

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