FELICIA COLEMAN

BY FRANK STEPHENSON

Felicia Coleman, a member of the Florida State University biological science faculty, has been named director of the university's Edward Ball Marine Laboratory, located at Turkey Point on the Gulf Coast in Franklin County.

Coleman, who in the past two decades has distinguished herself as a leading researcher in marine ecology, was appointed to the post by Vice President for Research Kirby Kemper whose office oversees the marine lab.

Coleman will be the first designated scholar-scientist to assume a newly expanded role that will require her to maintain a full-time office at the lab. In addition to maintaining her own externally funded research programs, Coleman will be responsible for on-site, day-to-day operations of the lab's teaching, research and outreach functions.

"We're delighted to have someone of Felicia's caliber to step up to the plate at our marine laboratory and have the skills and vision necessary to increase our mission and presence down there," Kemper said. "Felicia's energy and breadth of knowledge and experience in marine science and public service are exemplary, and we're excited by the prospects of what her appointment means to our overall goals for strengthening the lab."

"The FSU Marine Laboratory is in the heart of perhaps the most biologically rich, pristine environment left in Florida," Coleman said. "So it is the ideal spot to develop an interdisciplinary research program focused on the ecology of the region. This is critically important at this time because all of Northwest Florida is facing a dramatic increase in human impacts related to coastal development. Given the university's support, both administratively and among the faculty, and the enthusiasm of the marine lab staff, we're off like a shot to make this happen."

To the director's chair, Coleman brings extensive experience in marine ecology research, teaching, science education and governmental policymaking in the area of fisheries management. She holds a master's degree from the College of Charleston and a doctorate in biology from Florida State.

Since the early 1990s, Coleman has been a close collaborator with her husband, Chris Koenig, also an FSU biologist, who specializes in studying the natural history of certain commercially and recreationally important Gulf fish, most notably the gag grouper. With Koenig and other researchers, Coleman is now an active partner in research projects funded at more than $1 million principally by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration.

Coleman's research has propelled her to prominent positions in fisheries management and has won her numerous accolades in the scientific community. From 1996 to 1999, she served on the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, the arm of the federal government responsible for regulating the catch and overall management policy of dozens of species.

In 2001, the Pew Institute for Ocean Science named Coleman a fellow in marine conservation - regarded as one of the world's preeminent awards in the field - for her research and dedication to marine conservation issues.

Florida State has operated the current marine laboratory since the late 1960s, when it was dedicated in the name of Edward Ball, founder of the St. Joe Paper Company. Ball donated St. Joe property to the state for the marine lab's use.