DR. MICHAEL PIEHLER NAMED INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE UNC COASTAL STUDIES INSTITUTE

 

Dr. Michael Piehler prepares samples in the lab.

Credit: Mary Lide Parker, UNC Research

Effective July 1, 2017, Dr. Michael Piehler assumed the role of Interim Executive Director of the UNC Coastal Studies Institute (UNC CSI).  Dr. Piehler has been an integral part of the growth and success of UNC CSI, serving as the Program Head for the Estuarine Ecology and Human Health research program since 2004.  Dr. Piehler is stepping into this newly appointed role on the heels of the retirement of Dr. Nancy White, who served 14 years as the founding Executive Director for UNC CSI. 

East Carolina University (ECU) Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor Dr. Ron Mitchelson selected Dr. Piehler as the Interim Executive Director. “I could not be more pleased that Dr. Mike Piehler has accepted this role at CSI.  Mike is an accomplished scholar with impressive leadership qualities.  Dr. Piehler has been part of the CSI team for many years and that experience will be crucial in the upcoming year.  I look forward to work with Mike as we grow key coastal programs at CSI”, said Dr. Michelson.  The UNC Coastal Studies Institute is a multi-university institute housed at East Carolina University.

Dr. Piehler has an impressive history in coastal and marine science in North Carolina.  He received his PhD in Environmental Science and Engineering from UNC Chapel Hill, and since 1998 has been a member of the faculty at UNC Chapel Hill’s Institute of Marine Science. Dr. Piehler’s research occurs at the coastal land-water interface and is focused on quantifying the transport and transformation of nutrients. His research is funded by federal, state and regional sources and he serves on scientific advisory panels for governments, non-government organizations and industry.

Dr. Piehler is excited about this next stage in the growth and development of the UNC Coastal Studies Institute.  “I am honored to have been tapped by Provost Mitchelson to lead during this important period in the development of Coastal Studies Institute.  We have remarkable people and facilities and I look forward to helping us excel”, says Dr. Piehler. 

For more information on the UNC Coastal Studies Institute, please visit, www.coastalstudiesinstitute.org.