Leila Hamdan Chosen to Lead the Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation

The Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation (CERF) has selected Leila Hamdan, interim associate director of the School of Ocean Science and Engineering at the University of Southern Mississippi, as the foundation’s president-elect. Dr. Hamdan, who is an associate professor of coastal sciences at the University of Southern Mississippi, will serve as president-elect until 2021 when she will become president of the federation until 2023.

Founded in 1971, CERF is an organization of approximately 1,700 members engaged in study, management, and stewardship of estuarine and coastal environments. Members of the federation include students, researchers, resource managers, policymakers, and educators representing academic and research institutions, government, industry and consulting, and non- governmental organizations.

“CERF has been an enormous source of professional, personal and career development for me through the 20 years I have been a member,” said Dr. Hamdan. “I am thrilled to represent the work and mission of CERF on an international stage and develop a new program in leadership.”

Hamdan said her goals for the term are to provide leadership training programs to all members to help them strengthen the federation and their home institutions and to enrich career development. She also hopes to open opportunities for leadership for underrepresented groups.

Dr. Hamden joined the faculty at the University of Southern Mississippi in 2016 after serving on the faculty at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Dr. Hamden is a graduate of Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey, and holds a master’s degree in biology and a Ph.D. in environmental science and policy from George Mason University.