Research
My research spans physical oceanography, coastal engineering, climate science, and applied risk modeling, with a focus on translating complex environmental systems into decision-support tools for communities and policymakers. I combine high-fidelity dynamical models, AI/ML methods, statistical approaches, and field observations — deployed on HPC and cloud computing infrastructure — to understand how ocean and coastal processes are changing under a warming climate and what that means for human and natural systems.
Impacts of Flooding Influenced by Climate Change on Communities
Climate change is the defining global issue of our time. Sea level rise is projected to affect coastal cities and infrastructure in the coming decades, and we are already seeing these effects in the most vulnerable areas. Additionally, inland flooding from more intense rainfall events puts communities at risk. My focus is on the impacts of flooding on global communities, directing resources toward the most vulnerable areas.
Climate Impacts of Tropical Cyclone Induced Flooding
Tropical cyclone induced storm surge has the potential to create catastrophic flooding in many regions globally, and storm intensity is expected to increase. The combination of sea level rise and increased storm surge over the coming decades requires significant scientific study to understand these combined effects and support effective action by stakeholders.
Physical/Ecological Coupling and Climate Effects on Coral Reefs
Physical processes in the ocean—waves, currents, and temperature—have a profound effect on the ecology of marine systems. With warming oceans, ecological systems will need to adapt, and we are already seeing heat wave effects on coral reefs through mass bleaching events. I study how physical processes affect ecology to better understand how these systems function and how to protect these valuable environments.
Multiscale Model Nesting
Large-scale ocean models are advancing rapidly to include tides in their solutions. Because global models are coarse-resolution (typically kilometer scale), smaller nested models are needed for specific study areas. We are developing methods to nest smaller models (SUNTANS) within larger global models (US Navy NCOM) when internal waves are present—a challenge because internal waves reflect off model boundaries and propagate differently at different resolutions.
Bottom Boundary Layers in Highly Rough Environments
Flow over complex terrain creates turbulence and boundary layer formation. We are developing methods to connect the force resisting flow to complex terrain on coral reefs, using high-resolution modeling (SUNTANS) together with field observations from Ofu Island, American Samoa.
Cross-Shelf Transport by Internal Waves
In many regions of the world's oceans, internal waves are a dominant feature creating oscillatory motions in the nearshore. They transport deep, cold, nutrient-rich waters into shallow coastal zones, with important ecological implications. We study their dynamics and the mechanisms by which they affect cross-shelf exchange.