WALPOLE — Maine native and University of Maine alumna Christina Cash has been named executive director at the UMaine Lobster Institute, effective May 17.

Cash has been with the Lobster Institute since 2021, serving as the assistant director of communication and outreach, and more recently as interim director. Before joining the institute, Cash served as an advancement officer at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in Boothbay Harbor, as well as program and development director at the Frances Perkins Center and director of outreach at the Institute for Broadening Participation, both in Damariscotta.

“It is an honor to be in this position as a liaison between industry and the university,” said Cash, in a UMaine news release. “There’s so much going on in the lobster world right now and I look forward to collaborating with partners from industry, management and academia on research that can help the fishery. I hope to expand Lobster Institute’s programs and student opportunities based at the Darling Marine Center.”  

Cash is a former first mate, captain and lobster boat owner/operator and holds an active captain’s license. In her new role, Cash will oversee the creation of a new executive committee, with subcommittees planned for outreach, research, workforce and other focus areas. 

“We are excited about the next stage for the Lobster Institute, broadening its reach and impact across the UMaine campus, state and national and international lobster fishery partners,” said Dean Diane Rowland of the College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences, where the Lobster Institute resides. “I know Chris will help effectively lead this broad coalition with strategic vision and continue the legacy of the Lobster Institute into the future.” 

Cash will be based at UMaine’s Darling Marine Center.

“In her time at the Lobster Institute, Chris has already proven adept at fostering communications within the industry and advancing research to help benefit the lobster fishery as a whole,” said Marianne LaCroix, executive director of the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative and chair of the Lobster Institute advisory board stated. “She is ideally suited to furthering the Lobster Institute’s mission of supporting a sustainable and profitable lobster industry."

Since 1987 the Lobster Institute has been a center of discovery, innovation and outreach at UMaine with the goal of promoting, conducting, and communicating research focused on the sustainability of the American lobster fishery in the U.S. and Canada. 

About the University of Maine: As Maine’s only public research university and a Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution, the University of Maine advances learning and discovery through excellence and innovation. Founded in 1865 in Orono, UMaine is the state’s land, sea and space grant university with a regional campus at the University of Maine at Machias. Our students come from all over the world and work with faculty conducting fieldwork around the globe — from the North Atlantic to the Antarctic. Located on Marsh Island in the homeland of the Penobscot Nation with UMaine Machias located in the homeland of the Passamaquoddy Nation, UMaine’s statewide mission is to foster an environment that creates tomorrow’s leaders. As the state’s flagship institution, UMaine offers nearly 200 degree programs through which students can earn bachelor’s, master’s, professional master’s and doctoral degrees as well as graduate certificates. For more information about UMaine and UMaine Machias, visit umaine.edu/about/quick-facts/ and machias.edu/about-umm/umm-facts/.