News Update
Frazer appointed as chief science officer
Staff report
Enviro-Net
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Dr. Thomas K. Frazer as the state of Florida’s first chief science officer.
In January, DeSantis announced major water policy reforms for the state of Florida by signing Executive Order 19-12. Among other initiatives, the order called for the appointment of a chief science officer to coordinate and prioritize scientific data, research, monitoring and analysis needs to ensure alignment with current and emerging environmental concerns most pressing to Floridians.
Since 2012, Frazer has served as the director of the University of Florida’s School of Natural Resources and Environment and previously served as acting director of the UF Water Institute. Prior to that, he served as associate director of the School of Forest Resources and Conservation and the leader of the Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program.
At UF, Frazer's research focuses on the effects of anthropogenic activities on the ecology of freshwater and marine ecosystems. He currently serves as chair of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council.
He received his BS in marine fisheries from Humboldt State University, his MS in fisheries and aquatic sciences from the University of Florida and his PhD In biological sciences from the University of California Santa Barbara.