From CFANS Dean Brian Buhr: MAISRC Leadership

Dear friends and partners of MAISRC,

Earlier this week, Dr. Susan Galatowitsch announced that she will be stepping down as Director of the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC) as part of her commitment to address the need for a full-time researcher-director to lead the center and its important work on aquatic invasive species. This critical need was identified during the recent MAISRC strategic planning process.
 
Dr. Galatowitsch will continue her full-time role as Head of the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology in addition to her own faculty research and teaching programs. It’s important to note that Sue will continue to be a staunch supporter of MAISRC and will serve as a close advisor to the next director.

CFANS leaders have been engaged in a consultative process with internal stakeholders and the MAISRC advisory board to move forward on a process to have the next MAISRC Director in place by July 1, 2016. We have invited Dr. Nicholas Phelps, a key member of the MAISRC research faculty, to interview for the position which would allow for a year-long transition as co-director with Dr. Galatowitsch. As part of the interview process, Dr. Phelps will present public seminars on April 20 and 21, 2016.
 
Seminar Title: Advances in the prevention, management, and control of the aquatic invasive pathogen viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus in Minnesota.
Wednesday, April 20
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Green Hall, Room 203

Seminar Title: A vision for the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center
Thursday, April 21
10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Hodson Hall, Room 495
 
All are invited to participate in person or via webcast. Information about accessing the web presentations will be available on our website soon.
 
As is standard in other University hiring decisions in which an internal candidate is being considered for promotion, the interviews will also consist of meetings with deans, appointments with faculty members, an interview with the advisory board, and meetings with DNR and other stakeholders. At all of these points, people will provide evaluation that will be submitted to the college for its consideration in decision-making.
 
I want to express my deep gratitude to Sue for her outstanding leadership while at the helm of the research center. Sue established a research prioritization process with input from scientists and AIS managers; guided a $6 million lab renovation; added critical capacity for invasive plant research with a new, full-time research and outreach faculty position; forged new research and outreach collaborations with DNR, Sea Grant, and others; and led the advisory board in the creation of a 10-year strategic plan.

Best,

Brian Buhr
Dean, College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS)