CORVALLIS – Shelby Walker, director of Oregon Sea Grant, the Oregon State University-based marine research, outreach, education and communication program, has been appointed to a senior leadership position within the National Science Foundation.

She will help oversee major infrastructure within the NSF’s Geosciences Directorate, including national laboratories, high altitude aircraft, a seismic observing system, facilities in the polar regions and the Ocean Observatories Initiative, a portion of which is operated by Oregon State. Walker starts the new position Sept. 26.

“Under Shelby’s leadership, Oregon Sea Grant’s research and outreach have had a major impact on many marine issues that impact the lives and livelihoods of Oregonians,” said Irem Tumer, Oregon State’s vice president for research. “Her new role is timely given renewed federal investments in science and climate change research, and significant congressional interest in supporting the National Science Foundation.”

Walker, a marine scientist, arrived at Oregon Sea Grant in 2014 after working for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NSF.

Dave Hansen will serve as interim director of Oregon Sea Grant when Walker departs. He has been with Oregon Sea Grant for 11 years as the outreach and engagement program leader after serving in a similar role in the College of Agriculture at the University of Delaware.