Tiffany Roberts Briggs, Ph.D., Named Director of Environmental Science Program

Congratulations to Tiffany Roberts Briggs, Ph.D., on her new role as director of the Environmental Science Program in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. Dr. Briggs began her new role on August 2. 

In addition to her new position, Dr. Briggs will continue to serve as an associate professor in the Department of Geosciences. Additionally, she will also continue to lead FAU’s Coastal Studies Lab on a range of research topics, including coastal geology, geomorphology and coastal science.
Dr. Briggs expressed her excitement to connect with new faculty, learn more about the diversity of students’ research projects and build a deeper connection with students.

“My goal is to keep the Environmental Science Program vibrant and interdisciplinary,” she explained. “I want our program to bring students and faculty together from different disciplines under the broad umbrella of the environment to train the next generation of environmental scientists.”

One of the program’s greatest strengths, Dr. Briggs emphasized, is its range of diversity and breadth of learning opportunities.

“At FAU, you can study sawgrass to seagrass,” she continued. “We offer a way for students to take classes with professors outside of their focus area and integrate several scientific fields in order to gain a broad experience while still focusing on their area of expertise. It greatly helps prepare students for working in the real world.”

Dr. Briggs also said that she plans to build on the program’s legacy to expand both participation and outreach.
“I look forward to connecting with faculty and leadership to represent the program’s goals, mission and needs, as well as grow our outreach efforts.”

Her specific research interests are related to natural and anthropogenic influences on coastal environments, environmental characterization of beach-nearshore habitat and sediment as a resource for improving coastal resiliency.

Before joining FAU in 2014, Dr. Briggs was an instructor in the Department of Geology and Geophysics at Louisiana State University. She received a Ph.D. (2012) and M.S. (2008) in Geology, and a B.S. in Environmental Science (Honors College, 2002) from the University of South Florida.

To learn more about FAU’s Environmental Science Program, visit  science.fau.edu/envirosci   .