Solomons, Md. (April 19, 2010) – For his groundbreaking research focusing on population biology and ecology of fish, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science researcher Dr. David Secor has been awarded the University System of Maryland's highest honor, the Regents' Faculty Award for Excellence.
As a fisheries biologist, a large proportion of Dr. Secor's research has focused on species that often have management conflicts: striped bass, bluefin tuna, white perch and sturgeon. As a consequence, his work has played a significant role in how these species are managed in Maryland and across the globe.
"Dr. Secor's research has caused global fisheries managers to revisit their basic understanding of how highly migratory species like bluefin tuna move across our oceans," said UMCES President Dr. Donald Boesch. "By developing innovative research techniques and applying these new discoveries to real-world problems, Dr. Secor is a role model for his scientific peers and an inspirational mentor to his students."
In addition to his research, Dr. Secor also serves as scientific advisor to state and global natural resource agencies. He has contributed to the comprehensive climate change impact assessment Global Warming and the Free State for the Maryland Climate Change Commission, and also to the Chesapeake Bay Program's Climate Change and the Chesapeake Bay.
As a professor, Dr. Secor is also a gifted advisor and contributor to the educational community at the UMCES Chesapeake Biological Laboratory and University System of Maryland, mentoring ten Master's students and three doctoral candidates.
"While Dr. Secor has well-earned reputation as a world-class researcher, he also plays vital role in the daily lives of the faculty and students at the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory," said UMCES Chesapeake Biological Director Dr. Margaret Palmer. "Whether changing the way scientists think about fisheries issues, or the way a student understands the world, Dr. Secor is truly an asset to the State of Maryland."
The Board of Regents Faculty Awards, established in 1995, publicly recognizes distinguished performance by educators and researchers within the University System of Maryland. Award categories include: Collaboration, mentoring, public service, teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. Recipients were honored during a ceremony at the University of Maryland University College on April 16.
Dr. Secor is the sixth UMCES faculty member to be honored with the Regents' award, joining Drs. Patricia Glibert, Rodger Harvey, Ed Houde, Tom Malone and Diane Stoecker.
The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science is the University System of Maryland's environmental research institution. UMCES researchers are helping improve our scientific understanding of Maryland, the region and the world through five research centers – Chesapeake Biological Laboratory in Solomons, Appalachian Laboratory in Frostburg, Horn Point Laboratory in Cambridge, Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology in Baltimore, and the Maryland Sea Grant College in College Park.