Evan Howell is the Director of NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Science and Technology. Most recently, he served as the deputy director for the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, where he led research to better understand critical habitat and possible climate effects on highly migratory and protected species in the central North Pacific ecosystem. Dr. Howell has authored or co-authored more than 30 peer-reviewed scientific papers and participated in eleven NOAA or scientific partner research missions. During his 23 years with NOAA Fisheries, he has spent 15 years as an ecosystem scientist and 3 years leading IT and data management development to support scientific research before his 5 years as deputy director. Mr. Howell received his B.S. in Biology and Chemistry from Antioch University in Ohio, his M.S. in Marine and Atmospheric Chemistry from the University of Miami, and his Ph.D. in Marine Bioresource and Environmental Science from Hokkaido University.