Marine advisory agents promoted

Julie Matweyou and Gary Freitag of Alaska Sea Grant’s Marine Advisory Program received promotions this month.

Matweyou, the marine advisory agent based in Kodiak, received tenure and is now associate professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, where Alaska Sea Grant and the Marine Advisory Program are housed.

Julie Matweyou. Photo by UAF photographer JR Ancheta.

Gary Freitag. Photo by UAF photographer JR Ancheta.

Matweyou focuses on paralytic shellfish poisoning, harmful algal blooms, marine safety, commercial fishing, coastal stewardship, marine literacy and workforce development.

Gary Freitag, the Marine Advisory agent based in Ketchikan, was promoted to full professor. Freitag focuses his work and research on providing educational and technical assistance to Alaska’s marine resources industries and creating marine-related outreach to those who live and work in Southeast Alaska. He also offers expertise in aquaculture, invasive species, and marine mammal necropsy and disentanglement. Freitag has participated in Pacific Salmon Commission since 1984.

“Gary and Julie are very deserving of their promotions. They have served the needs of their coastal communities for many years and have contributed in countless ways to research, marine education and workforce development in our state,” said Heather Brandon, director of Alaska Sea Grant.

UAF leadership agreed.

“UAF faculty members are promoted and awarded tenure because they’re outstanding at what they do: teaching, researching and using their expertise for the public good,” said Anupma Prakash, provost and executive vice chancellor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.”