Jonathon G. Kramer was named as the new director of the Maryland Sea Grant program, NOAA announced today.

"Maryland Sea Grant is in good hands with Jon Kramer," said Ronald Baird, director of the National Sea Grant Program, which falls under NOAA's Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research. "He has the rare combination of strong science, research, and management skills which will serve Maryland well. This is a very good choice."

Maryland Sea Grant is one of 29 programs across the nation focusing on marine and coastal issues such as invasive species, biotechnology, endangered species and marine mammals, fisheries, and water quality. The Maryland program was founded in 1977 and has a special emphasis on research affecting the Chesapeake Bay. It is housed at the University of Maryland, College Park, Md.

Kramer's expertise is in the area of marine biology and microbiology. He has used molecular technologies to study the effects of nutrients and contaminants on marine micro organisms. He has served as interim director for a year; previously he was director of research. He came to the Maryland program from the Center of Marine Biotechnology, which is part of the University of Maryland's Biotechnology Institute.

Kramer holds a doctorate from the University of Maryland and conducted his research at the university's Center for Environmental Science, Horn Point Laboratory.