Dr. Mei's program of research centers on forestland investment, nature-based climate solutions, and decision-making under uncertainty. His book, Forestland Investment - Valuation and Analysis, which was published by Routledge in July 2023, offers a thorough review and provides an in-depth analysis of timberland as an alternative asset class. Prior to joining Duke, Dr. Mei was Hargreaves Professor of Forest Finance at the University of Georgia. Dr. Mei's work has been funded by numerous agencies such as NASA, USDA NIFA, US Forest Service, and FAO of the United Nations. In addition to his research and teaching, Dr. Mei has more than 15 years of experience as a timberland investment consultant.

Dr. Mei oversees the Natural Resources Finance Initiative, which was launched in 2019 to train professional master’s students in a broad array of financial skills critical to natural resource management and conservation today.