By: Haley Moore
The Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES) has named Dr. Matt Parker the new director of the Northeast Regional Aquaculture Center (NRAC), bringing more than 25 years of experience in aquaculture, Extension, research, and industry development to his new role.
From groundbreaking research to real-world solutions, NRAC empowers the aquaculture community with the science, partnerships, and expertise needed to build a more productive, sustainable, and environmentally responsible future.
In his new role, Parker plans to engage with producers, researchers, Extension professionals, and other stakeholders to better understand their priorities and identify where NRAC can have the greatest impact.
“Ultimately, I want to help ensure that the excellent work supported by the Center reaches the people who need it and contributes to a stronger, more sustainable aquaculture industry in the region,” Parker said.
Throughout his career, Parker has led several collaborative multistate and multidisciplinary projects with diverse groups of researchers. He has also held prominent leadership positions within the aquaculture profession, including serving as president of the U.S. Aquaculture Society and treasurer of the World Aquaculture Society.
“I have viewed the Regional Aquaculture Centers as trusted sources of practical, research-based information since I was an undergraduate in the 1990s, so the opportunity to lead one is especially meaningful to me,” Parker said.
Parker’s vision for NRAC also reflects the land-grant university mission by connecting research to communities.
“The Regional Aquaculture Center model is an excellent example of the land-grant mission in action,” Parker said. “NRAC connects research and Extension with the people and industries those efforts are intended to serve, creating opportunities to translate research into practical solutions.”
MAES would like to thank Dr. Jinhee Kim and Dr. Paul Leisnham and the rest of the search committee for the leading the search.