Meet EPA Assistant Administrator of the Office of Research and Development H. Christopher Frey, Ph.D.
The mission of EPA is to protect human health and the environment. EPA addresses this mission according to four foundational principles: follow the science, follow the law, be transparent, and advance equity and environmental justice. The mission of EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) is to develop and translate science needed to inform decisions in pursuit of EPA’s mission. Dr. Frey’s work as ORD’s Assistant Administrator is the same as that of everyone in ORD, which is to assure that ORD is developing and translating science to inform decisions.
ORD’s work includes science to anticipate the long-term needs of the agency, partner-driven science to meet immediate and near-term needs, and technical assistance. Dr. Frey is a proponent and advocate for the role of science to inform decisions, and for scientific integrity. He also supports systems and interdisciplinary approaches to addressing complex problems.
Administration and Agency priorities include climate change, environmental justice, PFAS, and lead. In recognition of the need for multiple of our national research programs to collectively address key priority areas, both for the Administration and EPA partners, ORD has identified cross-cutting priorities that include climate change, environmental justice, cumulative impacts, children’s environmental health, contaminants of immediate and emerging concern, and community resilience. In collaboration with many in ORD, Dr. Frey represents ORD science to our various partners internal and external to EPA, including EPA program offices, EPA regions, states, Tribal nations, local governments, and communities.
Dr. Frey sees his role as enabling everyone in ORD to contribute to our mission of developing and translating science to inform decisions.
Tell us about your background.
I am a product of public schools in New York City (K-9) and Fairfax County, VA (10-12).
I received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from University of Virginia, a masters degree in engineering and mechanical engineering and a Ph.D. in engineering and public policy from Carnegie Mellon University.
Over my career, my research has included: modeling and evaluation of research and development priorities for lower emitting combustion and gasification systems; measurement and modeling of mobile source activity, energy use and emissions; measurement and modeling of human exposure to air pollution; and adjacent areas of risk analysis, and quantitative analysis of uncertainty, variability, and sensitivity.
I also have a keen interest in science advising and the role of peer review, scientific advisory panels, and expert panels to promote the development and translation of science to inform decisions.
Prior to joining EPA in my current role, I worked at EPA in the summer of 1992 as a AAAS/EPA Environmental Science and Engineering Fellow in the Exposure Assessment Group of the National Center for Environmental Assessment.
When did you first know you wanted to work in environmental science?
I grew up in lower Manhattan in the 1960s and 1970s. The city was a nexus of air pollution, water pollution, solid waste – pollution everywhere, all the time. My father was an environmental scientist (a physical oceanographer) and my mother was a writer and artist – which means she was an observer of nature. By 10th grade, I knew for sure that I wanted to be an engineer and to study thermodynamics. I was generally interested in energy. I felt that finding better ways to transform energy was key to future sustainability, but I didn’t have the terminology or concepts that I have now to explain it.
What do you like most about your job?
Developing and translating trusted science to inform decisions has been a major focus of my career. This is why I feel at home in ORD.
I am continuously inspired by the commitment to mission of folks in ORD, and the commitment to excellence in the work that we do. ORD science is at the leading edge, trusted, and relevant to decisions. Having come out of a very competitive academic environment, I greatly appreciate what is involved in building a research program and making a mark with research. I am continually awed by our scientists and engineers in ORD.
How does EPA science matter?
EPA is a science-based regulatory agency. The importance of science is written into the many statutes that provide EPA with the authority to develop regulations and make a variety of other decisions. EPA’s first Administrator, William Ruckelshaus, posited foundational principles for EPA that include “follow the science.”
The credibility of decisions informed by science depends on the credibility of the science. The credibility of the science depends on what science we do and how we do it. Our research planning process helps us to ‘do the right science’ – i.e. science that is relevant to our partners and the long term needs of the Agency. We also provide technical support in response to emerging problems. Our research and science policies and procedures enable us to ‘do the science right.’ Because our science is relevant and trustworthy, our partners can rely on our science to inform decisions.
If you weren’t a scientist, what would you be doing?
I’ve always leaned toward writing as a means of expression. I might do more and varied kinds of writing if I had the time. I enjoy making things out of wood. I am an amateur woodworker, but I have had some genuine inquiries asking if I could make another of whatever-it-was-I-was-making for someone else – that would be fun to do. I taught myself to repair some aspects of my bicycle, so maybe I could do that. I also would love to make models, but very rarely have time to do that. I have a backlog of ship model kits that I would love to work on.
What advice would you give a student interested in a career in science?
Definitely go for it. There are many scientific disciplines, and there are so many problems and challenges. Every problem or challenge is an opportunity. Thus, there are many opportunities for students. Having been a student some years ago and having been a university faculty member for about three decades, I know firsthand that there is demand for students with strong technical skills.
If you can have any superpower, what would you choose?
Instant 8 hours of sleep every day.
What do you think the coolest scientific discovery was and why?
Given my mechanical engineering background and interest in thermodynamics, I am fascinated by the ideation of the first experiment to demonstrate the equivalence of work and heat. Furthermore, the insight that work and heat are path dependent enables creative thinking regarding how to better design energy conversion systems for improved thermal efficiency.
If you could have dinner with any scientist, past or present, who would you choose and what would you talk about?
It would be interesting to talk with Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci to understand why he worked on the projects and challenges he did and regarding key ingredients for scientific innovation.
You are stranded on a desert island; how do you use science to survive?
Evaporate sea water and condense the vapor as means of desalination.
What do you think is our biggest scientific challenge in the next 20/50/100 years?
Climate change.
Editor's Note: The opinions expressed herein are those of the researcher alone. EPA does not endorse the opinions or positions expressed.