Office of Research and Advisory Services
Staff
- Mark Luckenbach, Associate Dean of Research and Advisory Services
- Lyle Varnell, Associate Director for Advisory Services
- Emily Hein, Assistant Director for Advisory Services
- Cecilia Lewis, Assistant to the Associate Dean of Research and Advisory Services
The Virginia General Assembly is currently in session. For those bills which might be of interest to those at VIMS please see our General Assembly page.
This is the central administrative office charged with coordinating VIMS' state-mandated research and outreach activities. (VA Code § 28.2-1100)
As part of its broad legislative mission, VIMS serves as the Commonwealth's center of expertise in the marine environment, bringing together governmental, economic, regulatory, and scientific communities.
- VIMS is a central partner in the state's environmental management infrastructure working with the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, the Department of Environmental Quality, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the Virginia Department of Health. Additionally, VIMS is responsible for responding to requests from the General Assembly, the Governor's Office, and the Secretary of Natural Resources. VIMS works with local governments and management agencies such as Soil and Water districts and Planning District commissions, and researchers participate in and represent the state's interests on regional commissions such as the Potomac River Fisheries Commission, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, and the New England Fisheries Management Council.
- VIMS has close management and research ties with many federal agencies that oversee the Chesapeake Bay and its resources including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Marine Fisheries Services, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of the Interior, and the Army Corps of Engineers. VIMS also serves as the state's Sea Grant Institution.
- Research extends throughout the nation and the world, from the Arctic and Antarctic to the Caribbean, Europe, and South America. Visit our International Partners page to learn about our many formal international research agreements.
- Today's universities are expected to engage in programs designed to support economic development (William & Mary, Economic Development). VIMS has convened the VIMS-Industry Partnership to reach out to local companies, supporting business endeavors to enhance economic growth. We have partnered with companies such as LUNA, Sapidyne, and INCOGEN and organizations such as the Virginia Seafood Council. Researchers are encouraged to collaborate with small business through programs such as the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) and STTR.