The School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering is led by the Executive Committee and the External Advisory Board. Additional committees exist to help manage SMSOE's many moving parts: the Education Committee, the Facilities Committee, the Outreach Committee, and the Research Committee.
UNH has appointed Erik Chapman director of the School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering (SMSOE), effective May 25, 2026, Provost Jen Riley announced today. Chapman, who has served as interim director since February 2025, will continue to serve as director of New Hampshire Sea Grant.
The School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering provides leadership for UNH's marine education, research and outreach, supporting interdisciplinary programs that advance understanding of ocean, coastal and marine systems. The school works across colleges, departments, research centers and external partners to strengthen marine-related teaching, scholarship and public engagement.
"Erik has provided strategic and effective leadership during his time as interim director of the School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering, while continuing to advance the mission of New Hampshire Sea Grant," Riley said. "He brings a deep understanding of UNH's marine research, a strong record of building partnerships across the university and beyond, and a collaborative approach that has earned the trust of faculty, staff and external stakeholders. I am excited to continue working with Erik as he leads the School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering into its next chapter."
Riley said Chapman has helped strengthen collaboration across UNH's marine programs during his time as interim director while supporting the school's education, research and outreach mission. In his permanent role, he will continue working with faculty, researchers, staff and external partners to advance the university's marine enterprise and support the school's long-term strategic priorities.
"I am honored by the opportunity to continue serving the School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering and the broader UNH marine community in this role," Chapman said. "The strength of SMSOE comes from the extraordinary faculty, researchers, staff, students and partners who contribute to its success. I look forward to continuing to work together to strengthen UNH's marine enterprise, support excellence in research, education and outreach, and build on the school's many accomplishments."
Committees
- Erik Chapman, Interim Director, School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering
- Easton White, Marine Biology Program Representative
- Nate Rennels, Chair, Facilities Committee
- Kai Ziervogel, Education Committee
- David Burdick, Research Committee
- David Fredriksson, Director, Center for Sustainable Seafood Systems
- Robert Letscher, Program Coordinator, Oceanography
- Sara Morris, Executive Director, Shoals Marine Laboratory
- Kalle Matso, Director, Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership
The overall mission of the Education and Curriculum Committee is to oversee the evolution of formal graduate education aligned with the research programs of the School, with a primary focus on the three graduate programs that are affiliated with the school: Marine Biology, Ocean Engineering and Oceanography.
The Education Committee's goals are as follows:
- Foster integrated marine science and ocean engineering education on campus.
- Support the graduate programs related to marine science and ocean engineering.
- Enhance teaching collaboration among faculty across the broad spectrum of marine-related disciplines including the social sciences and humanities.
The members of this committee are listed below:
The Facilities Committee is charged with oversight of the SMSOE facilities, vessels, common scientific equipment, and support programs (e.g. Diving). The committee will work with the SMSOE Director and the Research, Education, and Outreach Committees to define priority areas of facility and research instrumentation need and opportunity, and take a lead in pursuing funding opportunities to address common needs.
The members of this committee are listed below:
The Outreach Committee is charged to provide input to the Executive Committee on issues related to Outreach for the SMSOE. The committee will work with individual faculty members and programs with significant outreach/extension programs (e.g. NH Sea Grant and JHC/CCOM) to advance outreach/extension activities for the SMSOE. The overall goal of the Committee is to collaboratively facilitate the flow of knowledge among SMSOE personnel and stakeholders in order to:
- inform research priorities and to expand research opportunities;
- make connections and build capacities for engaged research at UNH;
- educate the public; and
- transfer knowledge and information to society.
The members of this committee are listed below:
The Research Committee has as its mission the formation of interdisciplinary research teams targeting fundable problems of regional and national significance in marine science and ocean engineering. Based on the recommendation of the Research Committee, the Executive Committee of SMSOE will provide the necessary resources to these groups or to individuals, so that proposals can be developed and submitted to the State, the Federal Government and/or the private sector responding to interdisciplinary funding opportunities and addressing solutions to identified problems.
The members of this committee are listed below:
