Jim Diana

Focus
Dr. Jim Diana joined Michigan Sea Grant in March 2009. As Director for Michigan Sea Grant, Diana is involved in leading the statewide program in its research, education and outreach efforts on critical Great Lakes issues, such as sustainable coastal development, fisheries, and other issues.

As Professor in the School of Natural Resources and Environment at the University of Michigan, Diana currently teaches a senior course on fish ecology and an introductory course in environmental sciences. He is the 2006 recipient of the Michigan Chapter of the American Fisheries Society’s Justin W. Leonard Award of Excellence for his contributions to fisheries education, research, and management in Michigan. He has received numerous professional honors, and is the author of more than 70 scientific publications and reports, as well as an authored an edited book.

Diana is interested in aquaculture’s potential contribution to the global food supply through the understanding of ecologically sensitive aquaculture practices, particularly in developing countries; as well as the conservation of natural ecosystems through focusing on ecology of native species like pike and muskellunge as well as endangered species like lake sturgeon.

Current Research

• Sustainable aquaculture in Asia, supported by the Agency for International Development
• Muskellunge spawning in Green Bay, supported by the Wisconsin DNR
• Muskellunge behavior in the Elk-Skegemog chain of lakes, supported by Michigan DNR
• Recirculating aquaculture systems and the environmental effects of shrimp farming, funded by the Graham Environmental Sustainability Institute

Education

• Ph.D. Zoology, 1979, University of Alberta
• M.A. Biology, 1975, California State University, Long Beach
• B.S. Marine Biology, 1974, California State University, Long Beach

Previous Experience
Diana has studied the behavior and ecology of temperate fishes for three decades, working extensively on the behavior and ecology of many temperate fishes, including pike, muskellunge, brown trout, lake sturgeon, yellow perch, largemouth bass, and alewives. He joined the U-M faculty in 1979. Previously, Diana served as associate dean of University of Michigan School of Natural Resources and Environment from 1999-2007, and as chair of the Resource Ecology and Management Program in SNRE from 1994-1999.

Publications

• Diana, J.S. 1997. Feeding strategies. Pages 245-263 in H. Egna and C. Boyd, editors. Dynamics of pond aquaculture. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida.
• Diana, J.S. 2005 Biology and ecology of fishes, Second Edition. Biological Sciences Press. Carmel, Indiana.
• Diana, J.S. 2009. Aquaculture production and biodiversity conservation. BioScience. 59:27-38.
• Diana, J.S., J.P. Hudson, and R.D. Clark, Jr. 2004. Seasonal and daily movements of large brown trout in a Michigan stream. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 133:34-44.
• Diana, J.S. and T.L. Margenau, editors. 2007. The muskellunge symposium: a memorial for E. J. Crossman. Springer, Dordecht, The Netherlands.
  

See: Curriculum Vitae (PDF)

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