For Immediate Release
May 5th, 2016
Contacts: Mark Baith, mbaith@essic.umd.edu
ESSIC Director Busalacchi named new President of UCAR
COLLEGE PARK, MD – Dean Jayanth Banavar of the University of Maryland’s (UMD) College of Computer, Mathematics and Natural Sciences (CMNS) announced today that Professor Antonio Busalacchi has accepted the role of President of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), effective August 1, 2016.
Busalacchi, who has served as Director of the Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center (ESSIC) since his arrival from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in September 2000, has overseen the Center’s growth from a tiny nucleus to one of the largest research centers on UMD’s College Park campus. He also served as Chair for the university’s Council on the Environment and as a professor in UMD’s department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences.
As ESSIC Director, Busalacchi’s leadership style provided more than scientific and institutional direction. His vast wine expertise, his extensive connections across the national and international scientific community, and his skill at devising ways to enhance the social connectivity within ESSIC–the annual Oktoberfest, weekly seminar series and the Friday morning coffee hours–made the Center a better and more productive place.
Busalacchi’s direction and vision have been critical to the success of ESSIC and he will undoubtedly be missed. Yet the leadership of UCAR is vital to the future of the broader community of which we’re a modest part. ESSIC is proud that “Tony” has agreed to take on this vital responsibility and confident that he will succeed.
We wish him well.
Media Contacts
Mark Baith
mbaith@essic.umd.edu
Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center
