NORTHEASTERN REGIONAL AQUACULTURE CENTER
CONNECTICUT DELAWARE MAINE MARYLAND MASSACHUSETTS NEW HAMPSHIRE NEW JERSEY NEW YORK PENNSYLVANIA RHODE ISLAND VERMONT WASHINGTON D.C. WEST VIRGINIA
Dr. Matthew D. Parker Named Director of
Northeastern Regional Aquaculture Center
The Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES) has named Dr. Matthew D. Parker director of the Northeastern Regional Aquaculture Center (NRAC) at the University of Maryland, bringing more than 25 years of experience in aquaculture, Extension, applied research, business development, and industry leadership.
Throughout his career, Parker has advanced aquaculture by connecting producers, researchers, universities, government agencies, and industry partners to address practical challenges and translate research into real-world solutions.
His expertise spans aquaculture production, business planning, financing, technology adoption, and industry development. He has led collaborative, multistate research projects and developed decision-support resources that help producers make informed business and production decisions. His recent work includes an oyster site-selection tool that uses publicly available environmental data to help growers evaluate potential production sites.
A recognized leader in the aquaculture profession, Parker previously served as president of the U.S. Aquaculture Society and has served as treasurer of the World Aquaculture Society. He holds a Ph.D. and an MBA from the University of Maryland.
As NRAC director, Parker will focus on strengthening partnerships among producers, researchers, Extension professionals, and industry stakeholders across the Northeast. His priorities include identifying emerging industry needs, expanding access to research-based resources, and ensuring that NRAC-supported projects deliver meaningful benefits to the aquaculture community.
“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.
Parker's vision reflects NRAC's commitment to the land-grant mission of connecting research, Extension, and industry to advance innovation, economic sustainability, and environmental stewardship.
“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 extends its appreciation to Dr. Jinhee Kim, Dr. Paul Leisnham, and the search committee for their leadership throughout the selection process.
Learn More About Dr. Parker
NRAC Board of Directors
Ex-Officio Board Member
Reginal Harrell
NRAC Executive Director, Professor, Environmental Science & Technology
University of Maryland
University of Maryland Representative
Dr. Puneet Srivastava
Associate Dean for Research & Associate Director of Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station
College of Agriculture and Natural Resource, University of Maryland
1890 University
Dr. Moses T. Kairo
Professor and Dean
School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Agriculture Research Service Appointee
Dr. Caird Rexroad
National Program Leader for Aquaculture
USDA ARS Office of National Programs
Sea Grant Director
Dr. Sylvain De Guise, D.M.V., Ph.D.
Connecticut Sea Grant College Program
University of Connecticut Avery Point
Experiment Station Director
Dr. Richard Rhodes
Chair, Board of Directors
University of Rhode Island
Experiment Station Director
Dr. Anton Bekkerman
Director of New Hampshire Ag Experiment Station, Associate Dean, College of Life Sciences and Agriculture
University of New Hampshire
Extension Director
Ali Mitchell Dunigan
Executive Director
Association of Northeast Extension Directors
Extension Director
Chris Callahan
Interim Director of Extension, Extension Professor of Agricultural Engineering & Director of the Northeast Center to Advance Food Safety
University of Vermont
Industry-non-LGU Representative
Donna Lanzetta
CEO
Manna Fish Farms, Inc.
Manna Seafood Blockchain, Inc.
Manna Systems, Inc.
Manna at Lobster Inn Restaurant
Manna Ocean Foundation, nonprofit
NIFA Representative
Timothy J. Sullivan, Ph.D
National Program Leader, Animal Production Systems
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Industry Advisory Committee
Connecticut Representative
Vacant
Maine Representative
Mr. Eric A. Heim
Managing Partner
Xcelerate Aquaculture LLC
207-830-3118
Maryland Representative
Mr. Patrick M. Hudson
Oyster Farmer
True Chesapeake Oyster Company
New Hampshire Representative
Mr. Brian S. Gennaco
Founder
Virgin Oyster Company, LLC
New Jersey Representative
Mr. Matthew R. Gregg
Oyster Farmer
Forty North Oyster Farms
New York Representative
Dr. Steve Malinowski
Founder
Fishers Island Oyster Farm
Pennsylvania Representative, Chair
Elizabeth Diesel-Pritts
General Manager
Laurel Hill Trout Farm
Rhode Island Representative
Benjamin Goetsch
Aquaculture Coordinator
Coastal Resources Management Council
Vermont Representative
Mr. Matthew Danaher
Owner
Danaher Fishery
802-492-3442
Washington D.C. Representative
Vacant
West Virginia Representative
Dr. Daniel Miller
Senior Scientist
Potesta and Associates, Inc.
Technical Advisory Committee
Connecticut Representative
Dr. Zachary Gordon
Sea Grant Aquaculture and Fisheries Team
University of Connecticut
Delaware Representative
Dr. Dennis McIntosh
Professor & Extension Specialist
Aquaculture
Maine Representative, Co-Chair
Dr. Stephen D. Eddy
Director, Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research, University of Maine
University of Maine
Maryland Representative
Dr. Matt Parker
Aquaculture Business Specialist
University of Maryland Extension
Massachusetts Representative
Joshua Reitsma, M.S.
Fisheries & Aquaculture Specialist, WHOI Sea Grant Program and Cape Cod Cooperative Extension
Wood Hole Oceanographic Institution
New Hampshire Representative
Dr. Linas W. Kenter
Aquaculture and Fisheries Research Scientist,
University of New Hampshire, Center for Sustainable Seafood Systems
Linas.Kenter @ unh.edu
New Jersey Representative
Dr. Michael P Acquafredda
Aquaculture Specialist
Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory, Rutgers University, New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium
New York Representative
Dr. Rodman G. Getchell
Assistant Research Professor, Aquatic Animal Health Program
University of New Hampshire,
Pennsylvania Representative
Dr. Steven G. Hughes
Professor of Biology, Department of Natural and Applied Sciences, and
Director, Aquaculture Research and Education Laboratory (AREL)
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
Rhode Island Representative
Dr. Coleen Suckling
Associate Professor, Department of Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Science
University of Rhode Island
Vermont Representative
Dr. John W. Brawley
Aquaculture Specialist, Founder
Sweetsound Aquaculture
Washington D.C. Representative
Vacant
Administrative Office
Dr. Matt Parker
Executive Director
Principal Agent Associate, College of Agriculture & Natural Resources
301-405-6511
Northeastern Regional Aquaculture Center
2113 Animal Sciences Bldg 142
College Park, MD 20742
