Chris Brown, a visiting Associate Research Scientist at ESSIC/CICS has been appointed as ESSIC’s new seminar coordinator. Brown, a NOAA Research Scientist from the Satellite Climate Studies Branch, was an original SCSB member co-located at UMD ESSIC/CICS in 2003. The appointment is particularly timely for Brown, given NOAA’s long awaited relocation to their new M-Square building later this year. It also represents the first time a visiting appointment scientist will act as the Center’s seminar coordinator. Brown, who’s research interests include predicting sea nettles and harmful algal blooms in Chesapeake Bay, succeeds outgoing coordinator Yudong Tian during mid-March 2012.