Disaster Response, Climate Impacts Policy Expert Named Inaugural Knapp Infinity Chair

Melissa Finucane, an expert in applied climate change response planning, will become Stony Brook University's inaugural William and Jane Knapp Endowed Infinity Chair.

"Developing and implementing climate change adaptation and response plans must combine sound climate and climate impacts data with social science analysis and approaches to be most effective," said Paul Shepson, dean of the Stony Brook University School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences. "Dr. Finucane's experience and team building abilities will further solidify Stony Brook's status as a leader in climate change solutions and she will inspire and guide our students to become leaders in this field."

With more than 25 years of experience in non-profit research, education and outreach, Finucane combines a deep understanding of climate change adaptation and resilience, disaster policy analysis, environmental and health risk perception and communication and social equity performance evaluation.

Most recently, she was the vice president of science and innovation at the Union of Concerned Scientists. Previously, she worked at the RAND Corporation, including two years as the co-director of their Climate Resilience Center.

"In Dr. Finucane, we found an expert who understands the dynamics between physical and societal facets of climate change, including policy, environmental justice and socio-economics," said Carl W. Lejuez, Stony Brook University executive vice president for academic affairs and provost. "Her expertise and experience aligns perfectly with Stony Brook's commitment to catalyzing innovation to support our state, nation and the global community. We are deeply grateful to William and Jane Knapp for their support for this vital work."

Finucane's expertise combines social and behavioral science and other sciences with the goal of advancing evidence-based solutions to environmental and health challenges, with a particular focus on underserved communities. She has led multi-million dollar, use-inspired science programs aimed at increasing the use of scientific evidence in public and private decision making processes.

Those projects include efforts to examine and develop practical tools to support public decision making, including for public utility companies and disaster response programs. She helped to develop resilience programs for disaster-prone communities along the Gulf coast.

"We are honored to have created the William and Jane Knapp Endowed Infinity Chair and look forward to welcoming Melissa Finucane to the role and to Stony Brook," said William Knapp '78, Economics and member of the Stony Brook Foundation Board of Trustees. "The Knapp Infinity Chair appointment represents an innovative, prestigious endowed position designed to help formulate adaptation strategies and effective responses to one of the most pressing issues of our time."

The Knapps and their Gardener Foundation have been generous supporters of numerous programs across both Stony Brook University and Stony Brook Medicine. Their contributions include the William and Jane Knapp Endowed Chair in Energy and the Environment, currently held by Esther Takeuchi; the William and Jane Knapp Chair in Pharmacological Sciences, currently held by Basil Rigas; as well as other endowed faculty positions and key initiatives throughout both sides of campus.

"We are delighted to welcome Melissa as the inaugural Knapp Endowed Infinity Chair at Stony Brook," said Jane Knapp '78, Art History and Criticism and a past president of Stony Brook's Alumni Association. "Her experience and expertise in developing resilience plans that connect the science of climate change to a deep understanding of risk communication and policy planning represents the next step in Stony Brook's position as a climate leader, and we are proud to be able to support this critical work."

Finucane's research has been funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the National Science Foundation, and the National Institutes of Health. She has published in peer-reviewed journals, authored multiple reports, and produced videos to communicate science to diverse audiences.

Finucane holds a PhD in psychology from the University of Western Australia.