Dr. Duane E. De Freese, Ph.D.
- Climate Dynamics
- Ecology
- Natural and Man-Made Hazard Mitigation
- Environmental Science
- Coastal Development
- Ecological Indicators
- Ecotourism
- Harmful Algal Blooms
- Restoration
- Sustainable Development
- Industrial Science and Technological Innovation
- Biological Oceanography
- Research Instrumentation
- Economics
- Political Science
- Sociology
- Management Program Certificate, Roy E. Crummer Graduate School of Business, Rollins College, Florida, U.S.A., 2002
- Ph.D. in Marine Biology, Florida Institute of Technology, Florida, U.S.A., 1988
- M.S. in Marine Biology, Florida Institute of Technology, Florida, U.S.A., 1982
- B.S. in Zoology, University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island, U.S.A., 1976
Dr. De Freese currently serves as the Executive Director of the newly formed IRL Council, a special district of the State of Florida, and host of the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program.
Duane currently serves as a Governor-appointed Board member of CareerSource Florida Inc. Duane also serves as the Vice-Chair of the Florida Ocean Alliance.
Previously positions include Senior Science & Sustainability consultant to HydroPro-Tech LLC. Courtesy professor status at Florida Institute of Technology and University of Central Florida. Senior Vice President for Science and Business Development for AquaFiber Technologies Corporation. AquaFiber's patented processes and technologies harvest naturally occurring algae and remove nutrients (such as phosphorus and nitrogen) and other compounds which accumulate in surface waters and lead to eutrophication and pollution. The dual-nutrient reduction technology was tested and proven at a commercial scale on Lake Jesup, Florida.
Through an active public speaking schedule and community leadership, Dr. De Freese is changing public perception about the value of ocean and coastal research and conservation. His numerous public presentations and workshops have a central message – “our oceans and coasts are an engine that drives the economy and quality of life of Florida and the nation.” In the past 5-years, De Freese has focused his public presentations on coastal adaptations to climate change and sea level rise, technologies to address eutrophication of surface waters, and integration of ecology and economics to enhance public awareness of the U.S./Florida ocean and coastal economy -all challenges and opportunities for the 21st century.