The Murphy Institute names Dan Friess as Director of the Center for Public Policy Research

Daniel Friess, the Cochran Family Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Tulane University, has accepted the appointment as the new director of The Murphy Institute’s Center for Public Policy Research (CPPR), effective July 1, 2025. 

As the new director, Dan will lead CPPR in its mission to examine, address, and catalyze innovative solutions to 21st-century policy challenges.  CPPR serves as a vital hub for fostering collaborative research on the impact of public policy on the market environment, including areas such as the environment, housing, health policy, education, public finance, and legal and regulatory policy.

Dan brings a wealth of experience and a unique multidisciplinary perspective to this role. A renowned coastal scientist, his research focuses on human-environment interactions in mangroves and seagrasses and how coastal ecosystems can be protected and restored for climate change adaptation. His work often involves collaborations with governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the corporate sector, demonstrating a commitment to translating research into practical solutions.

A significant area of Dan's expertise lies in "blue" carbon – the carbon stored in coastal habitats like mangrove forests, seagrasses, and marshes. His research explores the potential of these ecosystems as a powerful strategy for climate change mitigation through carbon crediting mechanisms and within the framework of the Paris Agreement. He also investigates crucial aspects of coastal ecosystem protection and restoration for climate change adaptation, a field of increasing importance for coastal communities like those in Louisiana. This restoration work is important not only for research, it is also essential for local communities and organizations interested in using the carbon capture abilities of mangrove forests for mitigating climate change. 

Dan joined Tulane's faculty in 2022, bringing with him a global perspective gained through his extensive international experience. He earned his PhD from the University of Cambridge in 2009, focusing on English salt marshes. Following his doctoral studies, he spent two years as a researcher and eleven years as a faculty member in Singapore, where his passion for mangrove ecosystems took root.

“Working in Southeast Asia, you just saw how important this ecosystem was for people,” he said. “It wasn’t just an area of research. It wasn’t just an academic topic.” This firsthand understanding of the vital role coastal ecosystems play in the lives of local communities will undoubtedly inform his leadership of CPPR, which aims to produce research with real-world impact.

His commitment to the field extends beyond his research. Dan is the Co-Editor in Chief of WIREs Climate Change and actively participates in several prominent international organizations, including the Blue Carbon Initiative Scientific Working Group, the IUCN Mangrove Specialist Group, and the Global Mangrove Alliance. Prior to his tenure at Tulane, he was based at the National University of Singapore (2009-2022).

The Murphy Institute and the wider Tulane community warmly welcome Dan to this new leadership role. His expertise in environmental policy and his collaborative approach will be invaluable in guiding the Center for Public Policy Research as it continues to address critical challenges facing our society.

For more information about Professor Friess's research, please visit https://www.themangrovelab.com/.

Studying Mangroves with Daniel Friess