Dr. Matt Lurie is a senior associate at the Milken Institute Center for Strategic Philanthropy, where he uses his experience as a scientist, educator, and policy expert to advise individual philanthropists and foundations on the state of science for biodiversity and conservation to help them identify opportunities for giving.

Dr. Lurie received a B.Sc. in Marine Biology from the University of California at Los Angeles followed by an M.S. and Ph.D. in Botany from the University of Hawaii. As a trained ecologist, he led collaborative research projects focused on plant invasion ecology and conservation in marine and terrestrial ecosystems. He has a passion for science education and has facilitated teacher professional development workshops and co-written the online marine science curriculum Exploring Our Fluid Earth.In 2016, as the Knauss Marine Policy Fellow for the White House National Ocean Council, he helped establish the Nation’s first two ocean plans in the Northeast and Mid-Atlanticby strengtheningcooperation among Federal, State, and Tribal representatives.Dr. Lurie continues to be interested in initiatives and actions that promote environmental stewardship.